In the Shadow of Venus: Vignettes from the Venereal World

What's it like to be a venereal disease detective? Reading these 121 (mercifully short) true stories about people caught up in the exotic world of venereal diseases provides a front row seat to human foibles-revealed in a starkly naked way. Some stories are funny, some touching, some sad, some tragic, some raunchy, some unforgettable, and all vividly depicted. In other words: a mirror for human nature and for our lives. Interspersed among these sketches are frolicsome drawings that enhance the stories' impact. Like the goodies in a box of chocolates, these micro-stories can be savored one at a time, or several at a time, or (gulp ) at a single sitting-in which case you would neither overdose nor get fat. Above all, ask yourself how you would feel or react, had you been thrust into any of these peculiar situations.