This book and its predecessor, The Practice of Pediatric Neurology, is to child neurologists what Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine is to internists. It is the most comprehensive textbook of the specialty. There are 79 chapters, 18 of which were written by Kenneth Swaiman, who also edited the contributions of 43 different authors. Despite the many contributors, the attractive format and clear style are preserved throughout.
The five chapters (67 pages) of part one, all written by Dr Swaiman, are devoted to the neurological examination at different ages. Part two (two chapters) reviews electroencephalography, evoked potentials, and the spinal fluid examination. Part three consists of 15 chapters on manifestations of neurological disease, and the last and longest section of the book, part four, comprises 50 chapters (more than 900 pages) on specific diseases.
Because of the many contributors and inevitable time lag between solicitation of manuscripts and their publication, there