Given his highly educated and widely travelled background it seems fitting that Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha should write a book on the lives of Sri Lankan ‘Luminaries’ who have touched his life socially, politically and professionally. They are not in any way biographical records. They are intensely personal stories and have been based on the author’s intimate knowledge of his subjects. The book can be read on many levels. Just reading for pleasure of course. But one realises that there is a sharply observant eye on the life of the ‘luminaries’ he has chosen to honour. In many cases the reader might wonder if Rajiva has been a little too candid but herein lies its interest. Intimate tales that have never been heard before abound. One is fascinated to the end and hopes, of course, that no offence is taken. It is certainly not meant.