Many medical textbooks published recently in the United States consist of a series of detailed articles, each written by a different subspecialist. In this fourth edition of his text on clinical endocrinology, Dr. Martin (of Cambridge, England) chooses the other course—comprehensive coverage of a complex area of knowledge by one writer, who holds himself responsible for all aspects of his subject. (The only exception here is the chapter on the ovary, in which collaboration with a gynecologist is acknowledged.) On the whole, his effort is remarkably successful.
The book, clearly intended as a practical handbook, places considerable emphasis on clinical diagnosis and treatment. However, relevant anatomy and physiology are systematically included. The style of writing is concise and has the advantage of consistency. The book is nicely printed, the format appealing and convenient.
Handbooks such as this inevitably risk incompleteness and dogmatism. To some degree these faults are present here: