Critique de Doody's Book

This comprehensive book addressing all aspects of clinical hematology is divided into five major sections: an introduction to clinical hematology, anemias, white blood cell disorders, hemostasis and thrombosis, and laboratory methods. The purpose is to continue the tradition of a standard and concise book for teaching and learning of all aspects of clinical hematology and hemostasis. The authors have succeeded admirably in achieving their stated goals. This book is intended to (and does!) appeal to a broad audience from clinical laboratory scientists (in training or in practice) to physicians (in training or in practice). The book is remarkably complete and up-to-date in all aspects of clinical hematology. I am very impressed with its concise yet considerable in-depth treatment of all hematology topics. This hardcover book is only about one inch thick, yet is easily the equal in content of many other acknowledged hematology textbooks that are twice as thick and heavier. There are too many wonderful features of this book to recount in a brief review -- especially notable and worth raving about are the approximately 300 color photomicrographs/plates at the beginning of the book, the summary of laboratory values and associated reference ranges and methodologies in the inside covers, the remarkably complete discussions of lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndrome classification schemes, the section of molecular hematopathology diagnostic methods (including estimated costs/test), and so on. Each chapter can be read and enjoyed at multiple levels, from that of the novice gaining an introduction to the subject matter, to the practicing expert seeking to update his/her knowledge on the latest information on disease pathogenesis or diagnostic methods. This is truly a great authoritative book on clinical hematology. I enthusiastically recommend it for anyone at any level with any interest in clinical hematology. I hope to keep my copy close at hand for frequent reference, but recognize that it will be only a matter of time before it "walks" out of my office with a curious technologist, laboratory medicine or pathology resident, or colleague! Valerie L. Ng, PhD, MD(University of California San Francisco). Copyright 2001, Doody Publishing