This book, Polymer Biomaterials in Solution, as Interfaces and as Solids, edited by Drs. Stuart Cooper, "Bam" Barnford, and Teiji Tsurata, is a compendium of research articles first published during 1993-1994 in eight issues of the Journal of Biomaterials Science (Polymer Edition) as part of a Festchrift honoring the 60th birthday of Professor Allan Hoffman of the University of Washington. This collection of excellent papers devoted to the different areas of polymer biomaterials research is both a tribute to and a reflection of the enormous contribution Professor Hoffmann has made over the past 40 years.
In reviewing this book, I first questioned the rationale for publishing in book form 75 papers (about 1100 pages) already published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. My answer came as rather a surprise-I liked the book, its organization, and its contents very much. Thus, despite my initial skepticism, I concluded that publication of this book was well justified. The reason that it works is largely a credit to the editors, who have organized the papers in such a way as to provide an almost textbook-style presentation. The reader can progress through the chapters (i.e., sections) or select individual topics of interest that together encompass much of the diverse field of polymer biomaterials. The textbook-style organization is a significant strength that distinguishes this book from being just a collection of research articles.
The editors have divided the 75 papers into eleven logical areas of polymer biomaterials: Surface Modification, Char-