Written for the more contemplative physician, Thomas’ series of short essays on topics as diverse as the inner workings of cells and whether we should embrace rather than fear microbes nonetheless became a must read for anyone interested in science. The commentaries first appeared in the New England Journal of Medicinein the 1970s — hardly a popular title — but his easy writing style and thoughtful musings, all grounded in a sharp grasp of science, gave voice to questions and curiosities that even the most Bunsen-burner-challenged among us could appreciate. That truly is a wonder.