Doctors

**Description**
This is an entirely new and very succinct general book summarizing genetics and its medical applications.
**Purpose**
It is primarily directed to medical students, whose time is limited, with the aim of providing a large volume of information in a study-friendly and exam-preparatory manner. This goal is beautifully achieved in an incredibly concise 100 pages of text and figures, based around three integrated sections describing, in turn, developmental biology, medical genetics, and clinical applications of genetics. The flow is deliberate. This book more than reaches its goals of providing a quick and efficient review of the subject because it is so invitingly concise and therefore intensely readable.
**Audience**
Although it might be considered redundant in a crowded marketplace for medical students, this book is extremely appealing and accessible and, indeed, other student groups may also avail themselves of it.
**Features**
The detail is greater than would be suggested from the page count alone. This is attained largely because the figures/illustrations in each chapter are superb. They are composed of beautiful and clear line drawings with pertinent interposed text. Each of the 48 chapters is composed of a simple but effective format — a single page with a figure facing a single page of text. This format is disarmingly engaging to the reader, encouraging progression through an otherwise dense subject area. The text is very well written and easy to read. The figures live by the axiom, “a picture saves a thousand words,” integrating very well with the text. The subheadings are helpful and the choice of clinical examples is appropriate, although necessarily brief. There is a good glossary and index.
**Assessment**
Although the presentation style may not appeal to all, the effective, succinct nature of the book will overcome any skepticism. Overall, this is an excellent, memorable book with a refreshing means of presentation.