British Journal of Radiology (2004) 77, 538
© 2004 British Institute of Radiology
doi:
Practical radiation protection in health care. Edited by CJ Martin and DG Sutton, pp. xxiv + 415, 2002 (Oxford University Press, New York, NY), £45.00 ISBN 0 19 263082 2
S J Golding
Just occasionally one comes across a book which so encompasses its subject that it crystallizes one's view into a cohesive whole. This is one of those books. You have never really come to terms with all those units, methods of measurement and regulations? Here is the solution.
The first thing that strikes the reader is that the book eminently justifies the word "practical" in its title. It divides neatly into four sections covering basics, principles of protection, application to health care and non-ionizing radiation but the main drive is always to the application to practice. The emphasis throughout is on operational practicality, with clear, simple explanations that make light of some of the complexities of this field. Individual sections are excellent thumbnail sketches, usually complete in themselves and the content is comprehensive, making the book not only a practical guide but also a valuable reference to problems occurring in practice.
So direct and practical is the approach that it occasionally reminds one of a car maintenance manual. The text is liberally supported by drawings and line diagrams and separate text boxes deal with examples of practice and key information; these are so good as to invite separate publication.
I do not know whether it is the result of strong editorial grasp or good choice of authors but the uniformity of approach throughout is appreciable. The publishers have wisely avoided glossy production and the highest quality paper, meaning that for its size it is a real bargain.
The book is clearly intended primarily for physicists and I imagine many in training will want their own copy. Established physicists will also, I suspect, find it useful to have to hand at times of operational problems. Finally, this volume stands fair to be the standard reference for radiologists and radiographers and should be available wherever they train. Very strongly recommended.
