Book Review: Medical Genetics: Principles and Practice

The second edition of this book, like the first, is a broad overview of medical genetics that is divided into two major sections. The first section is entitled "Heredity and Disease," and in its 15 chapters the basic principles of genetics and the various categories of genetic disease are discussed. There are individual chapters on autosomal chromosomal anomalies, sex chromosomal anomalies, autosomal dominant diseases, autosomal recessive diseases, sex-linked diseases, diseases of multifactorial origin, and conditions of unknown etiology that may have a genetic basis. In each of these chapters, specific conditions are reviewed in a few paragraphs, with emphasis on the major clinical features. A historical note is sometimes mentioned to further pique the reader's interest.