Cholesterol, lipids, lipoproteins are the three rings of the atheroma circus which have entertained and bewildered us in the past 20 years. In focusing on the current pandemic of premature (as well as appropriately mature) atherosclerosis, Dr. Stamler has produced a well-documented and smoothly readable guide for the perplexed in this proliferating field. Yet the book's contents are faithful to its title. One third of the book is given to hypertensive, cerebrovascular, pulmonary, rheumatic, and congenital diseases, completed by an incisive deterrent to iatrogenic heart disease in children.
For each disease category, Dr. Stamler analyzes epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory information followed by a concise synthesis of its present (1966) status. Lucid discussion of complexities is followed by concrete proposals for prevention and control based on current knowledge. The pervasive theme is mobilization of individual and collective effort to attack the roots of the disorders as well as any known steps