Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease

6th ed, by Ramzi Cotran, Vinay Kumar, and Tucker Collins, 1456 pp, with 1295 illus, 75, Philadelphia, Pa, WB Saunders Co, 1999. The 1999 sixth edition of this textbook is worthy of its predecessors. It has long been a favorite of generations of medical students, competing with other standard textbooks of pathology, such as Anderson's Pathology. This edition contains the latest information and is written in a condensed form that is easy to read and follow. The first 2 chapters describe in detail the cellular response to injury and death, and provide a thorough review of apoptosis, a subject dear to an ever-growing number of investigators. Cell adaptation and cell aging is also aptly described. These 2 chapters are followed by chapters on inflammation and tissue repair, which are very comprehensive and up to date. As usual, hemodynamic disorders, genetics, and immunity are described in a clear fashion, with a language beginners in pathology can easily understand. The rest of the chapters follow a similar pattern; for example, the presentations on neoplasia, infectious diseases, environmental pathology, and systemic pathology are all clear and concise and include the most up-to-date and complete information. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease is now a fixed feature in the medical school curricula. It deserves its place among the most utilized books in any medical school. I have found it to be very helpful for practicing pathologists as well.