One review of the book by Göran Nilson (Herpetological Review 25, 82–85. 1994) perhaps best captures its significance to herpetology and biology at large. In his introductory lines, Nilson hits the nail square on its head (p. 82), There is, of course, no phenomenon such as carrying capacity in knowledge, but in Biology of the Pitvipers one can see more diverse approaches to the study of the biology of these snakes than ever before, more elegant solutions to an increasing number of problems, and the rise of new and fascinating questions. Later he states (p. 85), This book will definitely serve as the focal reference in pitviper evolutionary biology in its broad sense and as such it should have lasting value.