The Liver

Andres T. Blei

This is the third edition of a unique textbook dealing with the normal biology of the liver as well as analysis of key disease processes. The objective is twofold: to provide physicians with an update of the basic biology of the liver and to provide scientists with an understanding of the mechanisms of liver disease. It is thus a unique attempt at bridging the gap between basic biology and medicine. The authors' objectives are met once again with a book that is clearly an answer to the ever-increasing accumulation of scientific knowledge. This book will be of benefit for physicians dealing with patients with liver disease and for basic scientists exploring the connection between basic liver functions and mechanisms of disease. The book has succeeded in balancing both interests. It is written by many prestigious contributors from North America and Western Europe. The chapters are divided into sections, including organization of the hepatocyte, relation with other organs, mechanisms of disease, and a new section entitled ""Horizons."" There is some unevenness among chapters regarding the quantity of illustrations, but overall there are a good number of schematic diagrams. The references, updated to 1992, are adequate to extensive in number. The book's presentation is excellent, and it is printed on high-quality paper. It is more than 1,500 pages, and it may be somewhat cumbersome to carry around as one volume. Color art is at a minimum. I looked up several key words in the index, which was of good quality. The authors have succeeded in putting forth a new edition, which now happens every six years. There are few books of this nature, whose explicit purpose is to bridge basic science withclinical medicine. Any serious student of the liver will want to read it. This third edition incorporates 10 new chapters on topics such as gene therapy, transgenic mice, and hepatocyte transplantation. This book is must reading for individuals interested in the liver. It should be available in every good medical library.

Frank L. Iber

The Liver certainly meets its goal. No other textbook brings together such a wealth of new biology in a way that is helpful to clinicians and basic scientists, placing each small area into the big picture. The textbook is an essential resource for anyone undertaking liver research, quickly bringing the reader to the state-of-the-art in the 69 different fields covered by its chapters.
— Journal of American Medical Association

Booknews

**** The first edition (1982) is cited in Brandon-Hill. A classic reference-text that bridges the widening gap between the amazing advances in basic biology and their application to liver structure, function, and disease. The third edition includes ten new chapters that present major progress achieved in the laboratory and clinic. All other (74) chapters have been updated; many are completely rewritten to remain current. Since the second edition (1988), major advances have occurred in molecular, cellular, and immunobiology; mechanisms of signal transduction, growth control, and cell death; biliary cell and membrane biology, microcirculation, transformation, and other areas. Most of the new chapters concern advances in these topics with emphasis on their relation to liver biology and pathobiology. Excellently illustrated in color and b&w. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

From The Critics

Reviewer: Andres T. Blei, MD(Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This is the third edition of a unique textbook dealing with the normal biology of the liver as well as analysis of key disease processes.
Purpose: The objective is twofold: to provide physicians with an update of the basic biology of the liver and to provide scientists with an understanding of the mechanisms of liver disease. It is thus a unique attempt at bridging the gap between basic biology and medicine. The authors' objectives are met once again with a book that is clearly an answer to the ever-increasing accumulation of scientific knowledge.
Audience: This book will be of benefit for physicians dealing with patients with liver disease and for basic scientists exploring the connection between basic liver functions and mechanisms of disease. The book has succeeded in balancing both interests. It is written by many prestigious contributors from North America and Western Europe.
Features: The chapters are divided into sections, including organization of the hepatocyte, relation with other organs, mechanisms of disease, and a new section entitled "Horizons." There is some unevenness among chapters regarding the quantity of illustrations, but overall there are a good number of schematic diagrams. The references, updated to 1992, are adequate to extensive in number. The book's presentation is excellent, and it is printed on high-quality paper. It is more than 1,500 pages, and it may be somewhat cumbersome to carry around as one volume. Color art is at a minimum. I looked up several key words in the index, which was of good quality.
Assessment: The authors have succeeded in putting forth a new edition, which now happens every six years. There are few books of this nature, whose explicit purpose is to bridge basic science with clinical medicine. Any serious student of the liver will want to read it. This third edition incorporates 10 new chapters on topics such as gene therapy, transgenic mice, and hepatocyte transplantation. This book is must reading for individuals interested in the liver. It should be available in every good medical library.

4 Stars! from Doody