Reviewed by Jim Young

Editors: Jeannette Naish & Denise Syndercombe Court

Published by Saunders Elsevier

ISBN 978-0-7020-5138-8

Price: £49.99

http://www.elsevierhealth.co.uk/medicine-other-/medical-sciences-paperback/9780702051388/

In 16 chapters this book offers a solid foundation in the medical sciences for students of medicine, nursing and for allied healthcare professionals – or indeed for any reader with a background in science with a wish to better understand how the medical sciences underpin the knowledge of how our bodies work.

The chapters, sections, headings and sub-headings are structured in an intuitive way, and it is replete with tables, information boxes, anatomy boxes, clinical boxes, and well annotated figures that are pleasing to the eye. The colour scheme and font make for easy assimilation. The clinical boxes relate the science of the disease processes, offer explanations of the signs and symptoms along with a brief reference to treatment options.

But this is more than just a text book; it is a gourmet feast of medical science. It is a panacea to immerse oneself in the slow flow of discovery, or when necessary to refer back to the book as an easily accessible reference source.

Via StudentConsult the publishers offer online access to a very useful range of: 5 slideshows, 34 test yourself exercises, 4 test yourself slideshows, and 435 Multiple Choice Questions.

In this second edition there are completely new chapters on biochemistry and cell biology, genetics, the nervous system, bones, muscle and skin, endocrine and reproductive systems, the cardiovascular system, the renal system, and diet and nutrition.

It has been completely revised and updated throughout with over 35 new illustrations. If this book does not enthral then you have chosen the wrong career.

It is a tingling, exciting, and thoroughly accessible grounding in all the medical sciences that will provide a solid foundation for clinical practice.

Jim Young

July 2014