D.
I've heard of Thompson (in passing, don't know where), but not the title.
Just checked Amazon. I may have to put this on my Christmas list (if it's readable). Here's a quote:
"English biologist Sir Peter Medawar called Thompson's tome "beyond comparison the finest work of literature in all the annals of science that have been recorded in the English tongue."
Reader reviews are quite favorable. Thanks for the note.