This week I found myself a guest of Winton Rotary – talking about my co-author Les Hailes and the 30 plus years he dedicated to researching our book Just Cause and Effect – Selenium Deficiency in New Zealand.
Les always insisted the book was not about him, while I always insisted his view point was critical, a point we argued, discussed and negotiated every step of the publishing journey.
Les always said he had little interest in promoting the book, it was enough simply to have written it. Since Les reached the end of his personal journey not lot after we signed the dotted line on the print version any argument is moot.
Other selenium researchers have been impressed with Les’s broad view of the topic. “He’s a genius,” said David Walpole of Tauranga. I’ll let you in on a little secret – he may well have been.
Les was dux of his 3rd form year – before his horrified parents suggested his school direct him towards more physical pursuits – in their eyes no good ever came of too much education.