A color guide to diagnosis and therapy

7^th Edition

James Dinulos

ISBN 978-0-323-61269-2

Published by Elsevier (April 2020)

Price £141.99

https://www.uk.elsevierhealth.com/habifs-clinical-dermatology-9780323612692.html

I have used this book before and was very impressed with it, so I looked forward with great interest to review it this new edition. However, I was very saddened to read in the foreword that Dr Thomas Habif, the original author had sadly passed away. Fortunately, a colleague has taken over the authorship of this book and this book continues on as an updated version. I am delighted to see that this new edition (7^th) has maintained the remarkably high standards set by the current author’s illustrious predecessor. The use of the word color in the title correctly implies this is an American based book but is of an interest to the target audience wherever they are based.

It is an excellent, general all-round dermatology textbook which has a first rate and detailed text and at the same time is generously illustrated with high quality images. In fact, it combines the best of both worlds in a single volume, namely an atlas and textbook of dermatology brought together and seamlessly fused into a single general purpose reference volume. Even better, it’s style and depth of detail make it a suitable reference source for both a specialist and primary care physician, a difficult balance to achieve.

The book is produced on high quality paper whilst the content is of equally high quality and it is a pleasure to read. Of course, all the common problems are present in abundance but there are some great topics covered here that I have not seen elsewhere. For example, on page 624 is a fascinating description of seabather’s eruption -illustrated of course. During the course of the review, I wanted to read up on Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris and there it was on Page 302. A superb explanation can be found here alongside excellent and educationally instructive and high-quality images that amplify the text.

In fact this book ticks all the boxes, an excellent textbook, a great dermatology atlas and this is useful to both primary and secondary care physicians, all combined within a single volume. The clarity of text is top notch and this book has a coffee table feel about it. Bundled within the purchase price is access to the eBook which can work on smart device. It follows the publisher’s standard digital package and is easy to use on a website or on a mobile device. If you want to download the content onto a smartphone or tablet but be warned, the download is a whopping 2.19GB. I would guess this is a reflection on the quantity and quality of the clinical images which abound in this book.

Although I like digital products and it is great that the digital version is bundled with the purchase price of the book; there is nothing to beat the look and full of a good quality book and this book easily qualifies for this description. I must admit I like good medical books and I have always liked dermatology and this book was a pleasure to use. It is brilliant just to dip and read or use as a reference source to assist with solving a clinical question.

It is not cheap but if you have an interest in dermatology or want to learn more or you are a professional dermatologist then this is a great book to have. In that case if you use it often, like any good book then it represents good value for money.

Dr Harry Brown September 2020