Roger Windsor's stories of life as, first, a naive student at vet school, then as a junior vet in general practice, and finally as a senior member of the Veterinary Investigation Service running a laboratory in Africa, certainly give James Herriot a run for his money.

His vignettes of animal woe and human frailty have enduring appeal, and the story of setting up such a valuable service in Botswana, and helping to build that country's agricultural and forensic veterinary resources, is truly fascinating. With has particular talent for veterinary detective work and more general eye for a character sketch and a tall tale, Windsor will keep even the most animal-averse readers turning the pages of this hilarious and touching autobiography.