Edited by Gabbe, Nieby, Simpson, Landon, Galan, Jauniaux, Driscoll, Berghella and Grobman

7^th edition

ISBN 978-0-323-32108-2

Published by Elsevier (May 2016)

Price £114.44

https://www.elsevierhealth.co.uk/obstetrics-normal-and-problem-pregnancies-9780323321082.html

If you want a single and reliable as well as a modern reference source as well as a being textbook for the postgraduate obstetrician, then step forwards this excellent offering. Physically the book has a good solid feel to it and is clearly a well designed but scholarly piece of work which has an impressive pedigree. Three of the original editors/authors were involved with the original edition though this new and latest edition, is the last they will edit according to the introduction. The fact that they have been with the book since the beginning, shows considerable and enduring commitment to creating an excellent textbook. They have been successful in this enterprise and I am sure the next generation of editors and authors will continue the tradition of success that the original contributors have created. Most of the contributors are from North America but I am sure book will be of interest to a global audience and to the UK in particular.

The production values of this book are first class and it is a pleasure to leaf through this book and enjoy reading sections at random. Equally it can act as a reference book or as a good source of information to solve a clinical issue. It is printed on glossy paper and there are plenty of figures, boxes and diagrams which help to amplify the text. It is primarily a textbook and a pretty good one at that. It comes in at just under 1300 pages bound between solid covers and I would imagine this book would satisfy the requirements for most of its users for most of the time. One nice touch is within the book, important and relevant text is highlighted in bold to amplify the important point. A simple but effective technique that should catch the eye and is a useful trick that other textbooks could easily emulate.

Although the book is aimed at the practicing obstetrician and probably above the level needed by a GP; many GPs would find this book interesting, relevant and most importantly understandable. Practicing obstetricians would I am sure find this book very helpful and an excellent addition to their knowledge sources. Even better, bundled with the purchase price is a web version as well as an app version making the content available on the move. Best of all is the price of the book, though not cheap, I think it represents good value for money.

I am sure that there will be more editions to come over the years as the book will hopefully keep place with the dramatic changes we see in modern obstetric practice.

Dr Harry Brown

April 2017