Abstract
This book is a paperback edition of a previously published hardback. As in the original, it represents a large undertaking by the authors, and the list of contributors is impressive, including some of the most well-known and highly regarded horse specialists from around the world. The authors have stated their purposes clearly and do not try to overrepresent their text as a bibliography or authoritative reference text. Rather, they suggest that the text is potentially useful to clinicians, practitioners, and students as a starting point, or, as they state, “a standard text for initial consultation.” As such, this text may serve a good purpose. It attempts to be fairly comprehensive and the chapter organization is logical and easy to use. Because this is a new paperback edition, the text is a bit dated, being first published in 1994. The reader should be aware that the discussions associated with the presented problems are short and not meant to fully discuss all the problems and potential differential diagnoses.
The images in the text are numerous, but the quality of those images varies. This is due, in part, to the numerous contributors and their variable photographic skills. As the authors note, it is not always easy to have a camera at hand. However, the authors have done a good job procuring the presented images, but image quality could be improved. Perhaps with all the available digital technology, images could be improved in a new edition. On some occasions, the legends do not precisely describe the pathologic changes contained within the images, and often the terms used do not adhere to those used by ACVP board-certified pathologists.
The book is very reasonably priced, particularly in light of the large number of color photographs. However, the number of photographs is too low to define this publication as an atlas.
This text has potential utility for the practitioner in the field and for the student. The discerning referral hospital clinician and the pathologist may find the text disappointing, but I would refer them to the forward. The authors deliver what they set out to do, and, with the exception of the need for updating and image improvement, have achieved their somewhat modest goals. Perhaps inclusion of an experienced board-certified pathologist with a particular interest in the horse as an editor in the next edition would benefit the quality of the book and broaden the potential audience.