Medicine is a jealous mistress. To practice successfully a life commitment is necessary, but not to the extent of becoming stale and boring. This book describes the author's roller coaster approach to avoid this which resulted in a fulfilling but contentious career.

He qualified from Edinburgh University Medical School in 1974 and decided that medicine offered him an opportunity to fulfill his childhood ambition to become a surgeon and also his overwhelming need to travel the world. His wandering curiosity continued into retirement.