There has been a review in THES Jan 12th of a book entitled 'Mind the gap: Hierachies, Health and Human Evolution' by Richard Wilkinson, (Univ of Sussex) Weidenfeld & Nicolson, The review reports that detrimental social effects arise when income distribution is not evenly spread, independent of absolute deprivation. It is reported that health suffers in consequence. The book seems to echo John Courtneidge's message. Janet Shapiro University of North London [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]