The stated intent of this rather hefty book is
to “provide a readily available handbook for neuropsychology
interns, fellows, and practicing clinicians,” with
a focus on the “major differential diagnoses that
neuropsychologists are routinely asked to make,”
particularly in a hospital-based neuropsychological practice.
These are optimistic goals that are frequently, although
not always, fulfilled. The editors are to be commended
for their success in organizing a knowledgeable and erudite
group of contributors, who generally have conformed to
the recommended stylistic and content guidelines. However,
as is typical of most edited works, the stated intent(s)
of the book are rather unevenly addressed in both the scope
of the included topics and by the various authors. The
book includes 30 chapters divided into five sections: General
Issues (101 pp.), Pediatric Psychology (64 pp.), Geriatric
Psychology (66 pp.), Neurological Disorders (159 pp.),
and Neuropsychological Syndromes (225 pp.), and an appendix
of medical abbreviations. The result is a not-so-brief
handbook that is useful as a desk reference guide for students,
interns, fellows, and nonneuropsychological clinicians
working with neurological patients. For experienced neuropsychologists,
the book is likely to be of less value due to its intentionally
brief reviews of most topics.