In Greenspan’s Basic and Clinical Endocrinology, the authors of each chapter succinctly develop complex physiological processes mediated by the endocrine system. Two additional chapters on obesity and endocrine hypertension have been included in this edition of the textbook. These chapters are extremely useful in educating medical professionals to tackle obesity and hypertension by understanding the science behind it. Expertise in these diseases is necessary, owing to the soaring numbers of obese and hypertensive patients. Hence, an entire chapter (Chapter 10) has been devoted to endocrine hypertension; however, pheocytochroma, which manifests hypertension as one of the symptoms, is not mentioned. Also, the embryology of the ovary is covered in extensive detail, but not that of the testes. There are other instances of such editorial lapses. This textbook could have been refined further by paying attention to such details. Nevertheless, this textbook is a meticulous overview of basic endocrinology as well as exhaustive clinical information and diagnostic criteria and guidelines.
The order of chapters follows a rational sequence, but within the chapters, the subtopics could be arranged in a better format. A brief overview of concepts at the beginning of a chapter or a summary at the end of the chapter would help break the monotony of too much text. Figures are self explanatory and well-labeled and clearly aid understanding of the concepts, which is an advantage of this textbook.
Since the authors do not assume that readers have any previous knowledge of the topics, they begin each topic with explanations of basic concepts. Easy-to-read with clear illustrations, thorough foundation, and research-based clinically relevant novel developments in endocrinology, the enduring nature of material presented in this book makes it a useful resource to experienced medical practitioners as well as novices.