The Poetry of Life

This memoir details the ups and downs of a life in science, as well as the pleasures of life in Europe, Japan, and Africa. Alfred Prince describes the importance of his many friends in contributing to his education, successes in research, and pleasure in life. He also describes the enemies who made life difficult. A major portion of the book concentrates on the nature of chimpanzees, which have played such an important role in Dr Prince's research. The relationship between these near human animals and man is extensively explored. Finally, Prince speculates on the creation of a chimp-human hybrid, MANZEE, in the hope that this offspring could cast further light on the relationship between these two closely related animals.

Alfred Prince is a physician who has devoted his life to the study of viruses, particularly hepatitis viruses B and C, and the prevention of these infections by immunization. From 1974 to 2006 he spent several months each year in Africa where he developed a humane chimpanzee research center. As the years went by, he developed an increasing love for Africa, and for chimpanzees. These loves are described in poems and prose in this book.