This is a personal account of the British contribution to gastroenterology over the last 200 years. It covers the common diseases of the oesophagus and stomach, followed by coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and functional gastrointestinal disease. The final section discusses the British impact on endoscopy. Each disease is followed from its earliest description and is based on monographs and journal articles. The aim of the book is to explain why and how physicians and surgeons have managed to achieve so much during this time and with this in mind the author has interviewed over 100 people who have actually made this history. Whenever possible anecdotes and personal recollections are included. The illustrations are by the author. It includes: section one the oesophagus; section two the stomach and duodenum; section three the small intestine coeliac disease; section four inflammatory bowel disease; Section five functional bowel disease; and, section six gastrointestinal endoscopy.