the continuing education of the practicing nutritionist. It can be used by dipping directly into the diet-oriented application chapters. However, it would be a mistake to ignore the theory chapters, which should be read, mulled over, and reread.

Ellen S. Parham, Ph.D., R.D., Professor and Coordinator of Dietetics, Nutrition, and Food Science, Northern Illinois Uni­versity, DeKalb, IL 60115.

Retired, Except on Demand: The life of Dr. Cicely Williams, Craddock, S., 1983. From The Bursar, Green College, Oxford, U.K., 198 pp., hardcover, $20.

On December 2, 1983, Dr. Cicely D. Wil­liams celebrated her 90th birthday amid an international gathering of family, friends, colleagues, and admirers at Somerville Col­lege, Oxford, England. This event re­affirmed the significant contributions and continuing influence of this remarkable doctor - to the world's mothers and chil­dren - teacher, and researcher (in that or­der, as she would emphasize!).

This book is an eloquent biographical tribute to the irrepressible nonagenarian. Condensing Dr. Williams' extraordinary life into 173 pages is an achievement in itself. But the author has accomplished this feat with an inspired melding of vivid im­agery, sensitivity, objectivity, and respect­ful restraint. The book begins with an affec­tionate preface that quickly and effectively launches the reader into an account of Dr. Williams' philosophy and life work. The chronology that follows captures many stories in one, including turn-of-the-century plantation life in Jamaica, the story of kwashiorkor, survival in a Japanese prison­er of war camp, and the founding of mater­nal and child health activities within the World Health Organization. At the end of the book there is an abridged version of Dr. Williams' previously unpublished report of health work in Trengganu, Malaya. A full bibliography completes the text.

This biography provides a fascinating and valuable historical (and still applicable) perspective both for students and practicing professionals who are concerned with ma­ternal and child health and nutrition. Through many rereadings, Dr. Williams' life and indomitable spirit will continue to inspire future generations.

Becky Lankenau, M.S., R.D., M.P.H., Program Consultant/Nutrition, Ameri­can Heart Association, National Center, 7320 Greenville A ve., Dallas, TX 75231.

VOLUME 16 NUMBER 3 1984

BOOKS

Nutrition for the Practicing Physician, Willard, M., 1982. From Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 2725 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025, 265 pp., $26.95.

The essential purpose of this book is to broaden the skills of practicing physicians in dealing with common nutrition problems in a practical and efficient manner. This is not a comprehensive treatise on clinical nutrition. The authors selected topics that focus on problems frequently encountered by primary care physicians in their prac­tices.

The first chapter, "Diagnosis on Malnu­trition," is an excellent introductory focus for this book. It immediately draws atten­tion to the generalized problem of malnutri­tion and outlines clinical features of kwashiorkor and marasmus, laboratoryas­sessment of protein status, and the practical application of nutritional assessment.

Other chapters deal with the impact of disease on nutrition, nutritional support systems, the rational use of vitamin-mineral supplements, malabsorption, cardiovascu­lar risk factors, and obesity.

This text emphasizes the importance of education regarding adequate nutrition for healthy as well as sick patients. Steps in ef­fective dietary education, criteria for nutri­tional adequacy, and nutritional counseling for the family are given a high priority.

The format of this book is unique: Major pertinent information is provided succinctly in a 2-3 inch margin on each page. The author makes a special effort to present clearly stated definitions in each section. The major content topics as well as a brief overview introduce each chapter. The index contains convenient tables of anthropo­metric values, energy requirements, and energy values of various exercises, as well as patient instructional resource materials.

This book will serve as an excellent reference for the family practice physician. It contains numerous practical suggestions related to nutritional care, disease preven­tion, and health promotion.

Eleanor Young, Department of Medi­cine, University of Texas, Health Sci­ences Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78284.

Toxic Hazards in Food, Conning, D., and A. Lansdown, eds., 1984. From Raven Press, 1140 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, 297 pp., hardcover, $39.50.

Most people would like to assume that the food they eat is safe. However, many foods contain natural and/ or added toxi­cants. This book is an overview of some of these hazards present in the food supply, in­cluding allergens, teratogens, carcinogens, and mutagens. The editors have also in­cluded sections on the effects of toxins on the gastrointestinal tract, the immunolog­ical system, and various other organ systems.

The book's chapters vary in quality and in depth. For example, there are detailed discussions of the immune system in food allergy, and of the micro flora in the gastro­intestinal tract; but there is only brief men­tion of the carcinogenic effects of pesticides and the teratogenic effects of caffeine. Most of the chapters have extensive bibliogra­phies. However, in many cases the refer­ences are not current. As as result, there are some misleading statements, and the book is not a valuable resource for the target au­dience- professionals in nutrition and food science. An inconsistent coverage of topics makes this book difficult to use, and the title is somewhat misleading because some of the better chapters have more to do with ana­tomy and physiology t~an with food toxi­cants. Although this book does provide a review of some of the hazards in the food supply, persons seeking detailed informa­tion on most of the topics would need to look elsewhere.

Suzanne Richardson, Ph.D., R.D., As­sistant Professor, Department of Food, Nutrition and Institution Administra­tion, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742.

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Cancer and Its Nutritional Therapies, Passwater, R., 1983. From Keats Publish­ing, 27 Pine St., Box 876, New Canaan, CT 06840, 266 pp., softcover, $3.95.

This book is advertised as the "revised, updated fact/book" on cancer and nutri­tion, by R. Passwater. What does revised and updated mean? A careful reading re­veals a text identical to the 1978 edition, with the exception of new comments and references at the conclusion of each chapter and an additional nine pages of discussion at the end of the book.

The author intended to write a "practical guide to help prevent cancer and to help

JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION 147