There are many massive books on skull base surgery, but it is a novelty to see ‘basic techniques’ covered so succinctly. In this book, imaging is flawlessly reproduced and there are excellent line drawings of surgical procedures. High quality colour endoscopic photographs illustrate transnasal approaches, and the text layout makes for very easy reading. The printing is of a very high standard for this asking price, and I even like the attractive cover!

As a multi-author work, drawing heavily on colleagues from Atlanta, Georgia, some chapters do go beyond the ‘basic’ intention, but I think the preface nicely summarises the value of this book. It is ‘meant to serve as a point of departure for the learner to facilitate further growth in the knowledge of this area of surgical practice’. This ‘taster’ is surely enough, then, for any exit exam candidate, but may well stimulate further interest in this challenging field.