Oxford Textbook of Endocrinology and Diabetes 2/e Hardcover – 28 July 2011

This second edition is hundreds of pages longer than the first so you will need strong biceps and stamina if you want to carry it around. Unfortunately the extra pages have not added to the high quality of the previous, 1st edition. The book has been completely rewritten. Though the 1st edition was a weighty tome, the chapters were largely to the point, and the texts were written in easy, concise, English. However, the 2nd edition falls far short of the previous standards. The writing quality is very poor, and the previous easy, clear style English has been replaced by verbose, turgid prose which makes reading akin to wading through treacle. What happened? I suspect editorial control is to blame as there appears to have been little semblance of control or exertion of uniformity of writing style over the motley contributors. The 1st edition appeared aimed at a clinical audience though contained appropriate research background and discussion. However, the 2nd edition has tipped the balance too far in the latter respects. This makes for uninteresting and repetitive reading, and will date the book rapidly. Sadly, the 2nd edition has lost its way, and tripped over itself badly. Please precis the 3rd edition (I hope there will be one).Dr Jack Gilliat, clinical endocrinolist.

only volume 2 sent! unfortunately the product description did not mention that! very disappointed and have a useless 'half' a book -