The Surgery of The Common Congenital Cardiac Malformations, by Christiaan N. Barnard, M.D., M.Med. (Cape Town), M.S., Ph.D. (Minnesota), F.A.C.S., F.A.C.C., and Velva Schrire, M.Sc., Ph.D., M.D. (Cape Town), F.R.C.P.E., F.R.C.P., F.A.C.C. New York: Hoeber Medical Division, Harper and Row, Publisher (49 E. 33rd Street, New York, New York 10016), 1969, 179 pp., no price given

This short (179 pages), well-composed text includes a presentation of the anatomy, hemodynamic characteristics, and surgical management of five congenital cardiovascular abnormalities. Although not much in the way of new information is offered, the material is easy to read and is followed by an excellent bibliography. Chapters dealing with patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation, atrial and ventricular septal defects, and tetralogy of Fallot comprise the materials covered by the text. With certain exceptions, for instance, the routine use of chloramphenicol as a postoperative antibiotic, the discussion of the surgical treatment and postoperative management of these anomalies is very well done.