Those of us who were residents in the late 1990s had 2 dermatological “bibles” that we had to read from start to finish during our training: Rook's Textbook of Dermatology and Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. Each one had both fans and critics. At some stage early in our residency it was advisable to read through one of these books in addition to an illustrated dermatological atlas. Later in our training and in the practice of our specialty, we consulted the book over and over again. We had no Internet so we had to find the information by leafing through pages and consulting indexes.

These books were (and still are) exhaustive, wide-ranging reference works but they are short on visual content (especially Fitzpatrick): tables, charts, diagrams, and clinical images. Then, when the first edition of Bolognia's Dermatology came out in 2003, it was a milestone. It contained everything one could ask of a comprehensive reference work, with a bold, colorful design that was rich in diagrams, tables, and high-quality clinical photographs. We now have the third edition of 2012, which maintains the visual, didactic, and encyclopedic approach and shows a considerable effort to include the latest developments in the specialty, to avoid superfluity, and to make the difficult points seem easy.

The book was edited by Jean L. Bolognia, Joseph L. Jorizzo and Julie V. Schaffer. Ronald Rapini seems to have moved into the background and makes only a minor contribution to this edition. The contributors include both renowned authors and members of a new generation of dermatologists who have already achieved recognition in their fields. Included among them are the Spanish authors José Maria Mascaró Jr, Agustín España, Luís Requena, and Francisco M. Camacho-Martínez.

The book begins with an entirely new introductory chapter entitled “Basic Principles of Dermatology,” which defines the clinical, dermatopathologic and, of course, dermatoscopic patterns. The current edition no longer includes Rapini's brilliant introductory chapter, of which we were quite fond, with its talk of horses and zebras in its attempt to lay the foundations of differential diagnosis for dermatology. The remaining chapters in the basic science section (dealing with anatomy and physiology, embryology, skin development, molecular biology, and immunology) provide the reader with a suitable guide to the molecular biology of the skin. They are recommended for any dermatologists who wish to refresh or update their knowledge of basic science applied to the skin and they are compulsory reading for residents.

The book continues with the familiar chapters on neoplastic, infectious, and inflammatory diseases, including some excellent contributions from the earlier editions. The exhaustive section on rheumatologic dermatology begins with a chapter on autoantibodies in patients with connective tissue diseases. This chapter uses tables and diagrams to explain how to properly interpret autoimmune studies if these diseases are suspected. Similarly, the section on neoplastic disease begins with a chapter on tumor biology that lays the bases for managing skin cancer in the future, when the molecular profile of the tumor will guide the therapeutic approach.

The sections on pediatric dermatology and dermatologic surgery are so exhaustive that they almost obviate the need to consult monographs on these subspecialties.

The final sections on medical therapy, physical treatment, and surgery occupy more than a third of the second volume, as could not be otherwise given the progress made in dermatologic therapy in recent years. These sections give detailed explanations of subjects such as biological and immunosuppressive treatment, photoprotection, phototherapy and laser therapy, surgery, and the major cosmetic dermatology techniques. There is even a chapter on alternative medicine, covering botanical preparations, aromatherapy, and homeopathy. The apparent aim of this chapter is to inform of adverse effects associated with alternative medicine with a view to prevention rather than to prove the validity of this type of medicine.

The amount of space given over to therapeutic resources is generous and the explanations for such techniques as liposuction, hair restoration, and the treatment of varicose veins are particularly exhaustive. Anyone interested in these facets of our specialty is unlikely to find a reference book that explains these techniques better, with the scientific rigor that they deserve.

A mission that has survived since the first edition is the attempt to explain clinicopathologic correlations in skin diseases, for which the book offers more than 300 high-quality illustrations.

The text is divided into 2 large volumes and is intended to be read seated. Because of its size and weight, it is not likely to travel farther than from the bookshelf to a nearby desk. However, purchasers are entitled to online access through Expertconsult.com, so the text, photographs, and diagrams can be consulted easily from a computer, tablet or smartphone and can even be downloaded and updated.

In short, this is a textbook that takes a practical rather than an academic approach. It explains dermatology using a simple and user-friendly approach, leaving little room for historical and nosological conjecture. It is an essential addition to the library of a dermatology department or private practice and a prime reference work for residents, who will most likely read it on their laptops or tablets.