It would be wrong to say that this additional volume in "The Glauert Series" is a new edition of the highly successful 1975 volume by Norma Reid alone on "Ultramicrotomy": it is much, much more than that. Norma Reid's original 136 page contribution dealt very competently with pretty well everything that one needed to know about cutting thin sections from embedded material although, to be accurate, there were also half-a-dozen pages on cryoultramicrotomy. This latest volume now provides a much more comprehensive coverage in more than twice the space and includes a substantial-and excellent-38-page chapter on cryoultramicrotomy. This is therefore not in any sense an update of a previous book by a little cosmetic treatment around the edges. This is a major re-write with even the sound sections of the earlier publication properly revised in the light of new information and knowledge.
With ample illustrations, both ofequipment and techniques, thisbook provides all the information needed to set about virtually any form of ultramicrotomy. Moreover, coming from two expert practitioners of the different techniques, the text is packed with sound information and advice that will lead to successful application of the methods described. As always in this series, there is attention to detail at every point. including provision ofa list of suppliers and a very useful chapter on safety. Each chapter is backed up by a well-chosen reference list. Everything has also obviously benefited from the eagle-eye of the editor and it isa joy to read a book, especially ofa technical nature, where the reader so rarely has to pause for lack ofclarity, let alone error.
All-in-all the combination of well-written and illustrated text, with the benefit of the experience of the authors, to say nothing ofthe feed-back that must have arisen from the earlier book, means that we have here a veritable vade mecum of ultramicrotomy. It will be rare for a reader to need to seek advice further afield except for the most specialized applications. The authors and editor alike are to he congratulated on producing another exemplary volume in this unique series of books.