This was a very funny and witty book about the first genetically engineered baby and his life and career, from an author I'd never seen before or since. Besides being a mathmatical genius and the greatest athlete of his time, the main character (Superbaby) has some of the best repartee around. I'll just mention one of these.

The funniest and most devastating summary of Roman history I ever read was when he said the following to his very authoritarian German professor/tutor about the Romans, who Superbaby doesn't seem to like. It's been 25 years since I read the book, but I think I have it mostly correct:

"The Romans were a dreary bunch of military ruffians. Most of their culture was stolen from the Greeks. Their literature--what I've read of it in translation--is graceless and boring. The Romans were the Nazi's of their day. Maybe that's why they still appeal to you."

But aside from the witty repartee, the book has an interesting story and still makes for a worthwhile read even though it was published 25 years ago, long before genetic engineering became a reality. Worth picking up used if you can find a copy. I wish Mendelsohn had written more, but I've never seen anything else by this author.