Hypothermia, Frostbite and Other Cold Injuries: Prevention, Recognition and Prehospital Treatment. James A. Wilkerson, Cameron C. Bangs, John S. Hayward. The Mountaineers, Seattle, 1986. 105 pages, illustrations, color photographs, charts, diagrams, glossary, bibliography. $8.95 (paper).

The popularity of extreme climbing in winter or bad weather, and the increasing recognition that hypothermia can be as major a problem as hypoxia make this a valuable and important book. The authors are experts in both theory and practice and have been active in search and rescue activities on mountains and in the Arctic, as well as management of badly injured patients in hospitals. Written in language easily understood by the nondoctor, this is an excellent update on what we know (and don’t know) about cold injury today. This book in strongly recommended for anyone expecting to be out in the cold, at high altitude or low down, or on the water.

Charles S. Houston, M.D.