This comprehensive review of the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract is now in its third edition. It has been seven years since the publication of the second edition, years of remarkable growth of knowledge in the field, with the demonstration of new neurotransmitters, inflammatory mediators, and structural compounds along with a broadening of our understanding of the cellular and molecular biology of the gastrointestinal tract.
The goal of this book is, as modestly noted by the editor-in-chief, to "collect in one set of volumes the most up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge" in the field. Have the editors achieved this goal? They have gathered world-recognized experts in each area to write the chapters, and the breadth of the reviews and extensive literature citations remain outstanding features. The chapters are well organized and well written, with a few references in 1993 cited in some. This is quite commendable, considering the likely delay between