Human Radiation Biology

Abstract

Derived from material developed for radiology residents at the University of Colorado, this book is poorly written and carelessly edited. Unfortunately, it falls far short of its stated goal of "a valuable reference for physicians in general and radiologists in particular." The first third of the book is a potpourri of radiation biology including history, physics, cell biology, molecular biology, and theories of radiation effects. Too often, these presentations are disjointed collections of statements and theories that lack the logical organization and pedagogical development that characterize effective textbooks. The middle chapters of the book consider the immediate effects of radiation on various tissues. "Radiation Syndrome" is the best written and organized chapter; it presents interesting comparisons between human and experimental data as it considers the effects of radiation on the bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract. This is followed by discussions of modification and management of various radiation effects by shielding,