, 4th ed, edited by Janos Zempleni, Robert B Rucker, Donald B McCormick, and John W Suttie, 2007, 593 pages, hardcover, $107.96. CRC Press, New York

Abstract

How does the Handbook of Vitamins differ from a textbook on vitamins or a treatise or review of one particular vitamin? One expects a handbook to provide established facts, preferably quantitatively in a comprehensive, concise fashion without hypotheses and experimental details. The basic biologist, researcher, advanced student, clinician, or educator must be able to consult a chapter of the handbook on a particular vitamin and thereby gain instant entry into the topic, including the most recent discoveries and salient references. In addition, the concept of “vitamin” implies nutritional information that must be included. The Handbook of Vitamins fulfills these many conditions exceedingly well. The narrative is dense and balances biochemical with nutritional and clinical information.