Arias IW Editor- in-Chief: The Liver. Biology and Pathobiology, 4th edition, 1064 pp, Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001 ($249.00).

The present book reminded me of my loblolly-boy days in Philadelphia when I was helping my boss build a research-oriented department. One of my assigned tasks was to hoard the unwilling faculty to attend the weekly basic science seminars. Protesting to my ultimate leader against the sysiphean nature of my assignment, all I got was his “ Popeye” answer: “Just have them come to the seminar. It is like spinach—they might not like it but it will do them good.”Mutatis mutandis this is in essence the reason that your department should have a copy of Dr. Arias’ book. And I hope that some of the faculty will even read it.

This book has been around for 20 years, and like good wine it has not only matured but also become better and better with each edition. In brief, it is modern cell biology and biochemistry applied to hepatology. Molecular biology, as it relates to liver diseases, has been added, and one could expect that it will feature even more prominently in future editions. All essential aspects of liver cell biology and pathology have been discussed, and the book remains one of the prototypes on how to present basic science data to clinicians. It is a treasure trove of facts, the writing is first class, and the topics are well chosen. The book could serve as an update on recent developments or in lieu of a refresher-course for the busy gastroenterologist, but above all it should be read by all hepatologists in training. I also hope that many a pathologist will consult it and read some of the chapters that are relevant for understanding liver pathology and cell pathology in general. This book deserves to be supported by the medical community at large, and I urge you to convince your library to have it on the list of core references that are periodically replaced with a new edition each time one becomes available.