Peptides

The preface of this multi-authored book states that it wishes to acquaint the neophyte with the current information in the field of arteriosclerosis, as well as help the experienced worker correlate his research findings with those from other disciplines. For some it will be a valuable book. However, from the point of view of the experienced worker it lacks depth; for the neophyte it may be slightly fragmented in its approach. Most of the chapters read as self-contained entities that coherently present information and interpretation. However, as is often the case with books written by many contributors, the material presented lacks significant integration. The editors leave the primary burden of correlation to the contributors. Their ability to carry this burden is limited by the space alotted to them, the nature of the scientific material they present and their desire to make their contributions part of an integrated whole. Correlations are poorly handled in the chapters on the metabolism of the arterial wall (Kirk) and naturally occurring arteriosclerosis in animals, (Lindsay, Chaikoff). These chapters present mountains of data but offer little help in processing it. With the exception of a few pages in the fine chapter by Buck on the morphology of arterial tissue, there is, unfortunately, no discussion of the response of the arterial wall to injury and its significant role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis. Similarly the theory of atherosclerosis based on thrombosis as forwarded by J. B. Duguid receives inadequate attention. The selective reader can readily find material that interests him by using the good descriptive table of contents, the general index or the comprehensive author index. The strength of this volume is its individual chapters, and the interested reader will find them worthwhile.