Scientific Foundations of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

In a time when the only justification for presenting another textbook in obstetrics and gynecology seems to be commercial rather than educational motivation, what a pleasure it is to encounter a new text that truly offers something unique and valuable to its readership! Such an offering isScientific Foundations of Obstetrics and Gynecology, edited by Elliot E. Phillip, Joseph Barnes, and Michael Newton, with contributions by 80 distinguished authors. The book is a success because it accomplishes the lofty purpose set by its editors: to provide the background and associated information necessary to understand the recent advances made in this specialty. Furthermore, these basic data are continually correlated with relevant issues in current clinical practice. Some examples taken at random illustrate this exceptional quality: In a section on organ function a description of basic renal physiology and pathology is followed by a fundamental discussion of fluid balance theory and practice