Tom Lissauer and Will Carroll

5^TH edition

ISBN 978-0-7234-3871-7

Published by Elsevier (March 2017)

Price £39.99

https://www.elsevierhealth.co.uk/illustrated-textbook-of-paediatrics-9780723438717.html

Reading the forwards of books can be instructive and provide a good overview of the aims and aspirations of the book. Reading the forward of this particular book certainly gives an insight of how successful it has become and hopefully this new edition will build on the success of previous editions. The current version has now reached a mature 5^th edition and according to the forward, it has been translated into 12 languages and is popping up all over the world.  The forward states it has also won awards and so the tone for the forward built up my interest in the book and I certainly was not disappointed.

It is a relatively slim volume which comes in at just under 600 pages but there is an impressive array of material available for the reader. The layout is top class with a generous serving up of images and diagrams which amplify the well written text. There is also a regular sprinkling of boxed test which helps the reader understand the general principles of the subject matter in question.

Impressively, this book covers a lot of territory within its pages and produces a rich and educational survey of general paediatrics. This makes it an excellent undergraduate textbook and is also ideal for new paediatric trainees. GP registrars will also find this book useful and established GPs will find this an excellent way to update their knowledge.

The book oozes class, its content is up to date and the layout is superb and is a great book to allow the reader to find out the latest thoughts in paediatrics. It more than covers the basics and is an easy book to read and will appeal to a wide audience. It is part of the publisher’s student consult digital service which means that bundled with the price, it comes with a web application and an app version which means the book is available for a suitable tablet or smartphone.

All in all, this is an excellent all round offering and the asking price; a shade under £40 represents superb value for money. Reading the forward after reviewing the book, I think the accolades given to this book are well deserved.

 

Dr Harry Brown

JUNE 2017