Lorne H Blackbourne
Lippincott Williams and
Wilkins, second edition, 1998;
£19.95
ISBN 0683 30102 0
Rating: 3/4

"The perfect surgery student loves the operating theatre and never wants to leave the hospital, has a steel bladder, a cast iron stomach, and a heart of gold." Such are the contents of the introduction to this surgical textbook. Just how tongue in cheek these statements are is highly debatable, particularly when you realise that Lorne H Blackbourne, the author, is a general surgeon and a major in the United States Army Medical Corps, but do not be put off by this. As absorbing and entertain. ing as these introductory pages are, I must recommend that you make a concerted effort to progress past these - you will not be disappointed.

The whole book is set out in a question and answer format that is immediately appealing. Each page has some questions on the left hand side that are answered on the right, becoming increasingly harder and more detailed as the chapter progresses. You learn from reading these questions and answers because the answers are not just "yes" or "no?" but are detailed yet concise. Many of the answers even give handy tips on how to remember certain facts - for example, by the use of mnemonics.

There is a surprising amount of easily tapped information here - indeed, there are over 700 pages packed into this seemingly slight book. There is far more here than would be strictly considered just under. graduate surgery. A large quantity of relevant physiology is covered as well as lots of information in areas other than general surgery. Orthopaedics, paediatrics, neurol. ogy, and ophthalmology are covered, all of which are essential for the MB BS.

The only drawback to this book is the price. It is not cheap, and many students would think that it was too much to pay for a book that can be used only as an adjunct to another more verbose surgery text. However, for the sheer rate at which factual information can be absorbed, this book really stands out. It also stands out, of course, for its definition of a "hardcore hammerhead" - "An individual who places his/her head to the ground and hammers through any and all obstacles to get a job done and then asks for more work. One who gives 110% and never complains. One who desires work."