A resident or practitioner of internal medicine who is attempting to learn more about ischemic heart disease might try reading several chapters in any of the three or four excellent textbooks of cardiovascular medicine. Alternatively, this splendid atlas might be an excellent place to begin the journey.

This atlas serves as a "mini-textbook," providing an excellent overview of the diagnosis of and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapy for coronary artery disease. The material is presented in a format that makes it remarkably easy to digest. The authors and editors deserve kudos for making this remarkably complex subject accessible to physicians, residents, cardiology fellows, students, and nurses. They have done this by providing plenty of graphs, charts, figures, and tables to complement the didactic section of the atlas. This book has something to offer to almost everyone. For academic cardiologists, the figures and graphs are wonderful material for use in lectures and teaching. For practicing cardiologists, the material presented is an excellent source for review. For practicing internists, this atlas is an excellent reference work and an opportunity to update knowledge of ischemic heart disease. All aspects of ischemic heart disease that are relevant to the clinical practice of medicine, including stress testing, echocardiography, coronary angiography, clinical electrocardiography, medical therapy, coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass grafting, and clinical trials of medical and surgical therapy, are thoroughly covered at a level that is appropriate for an internist, a cardiology fellow, or a general cardiologist. The discussion of silent ischemia is especially well done.

This is a unique and important effort that puts practical, clinically useful information at the fingertips of practicing health care professionals. It was written by nationally renowned clinical cardiologists who thought carefully about providing an up-to-date, easily readable text on ischemic heart disease. It will be a beautiful addition to the libraries of many internists, students, fellows, and cardiologists.