'Scribe With A Scalpel' is the biography of an Australian surgeon who practised in Sydney for 41 years (1961-2001). It is diarised in chronological sequence and includes memoirs,reflections, achievements and disappointments.Aspects of family life are detailed. The book refers to some aspects of the training of surgeons in Australia and the United Kingdom. Initially practising as a general surgeon Dr Killingback became the first surgeon in Australia to practice exclusively as a colorectal surgeon,a professional move that was not greeted with enthusiasm by most general surgeons. The book illustrates the development of colorectal surgery as a specialty in Australia and includes the authors contributions to Australian and international colorectal meetings.The book includes 225 illustrations.