There may be some readers of this book who are expecting a sort of Mrs Beeton of reinsurance, whose indications if carefully followed will ensure the satisfactory outcome of any reinsurance operation undertaken. They will, I fear, be disappointed for reinsurance is first and foremost a commercial enterprise, whose successful conduct depends upon so much that cannot be written in books or committed to paper. Above all else, it depends upon people and on the personalities of people as much as on their technical skills. Most reinsurers are born and only some are made, but none the less for...