Book reviews

The Secret Part: A Natural History of the Penis

by Mels Van Driel. Mandrake, Oxford, 2001, ISBN

1869928–58X, 250 pp, £10.99

Men have a strange relationship with their genitals,

one that is not mirrored by women. This book is about

‘penis culture’, a subject rarely discussed in public but

considered by many, and reflected by the title, which

includes the word ‘secret’. This book is well researched

and explores an enormous subject across many cultures

and throughout the ages. Van Driel presents a highly

informative account of the penis and the many condi-

tions or disorders that are associated with it, e.g.

impotence, priapism, circumcision and Peyronie’s dis-

ease, from many perspectives other than the medical one.

In an easy-to-read format, his titillating account of the

subject includes a chapter on what women think of an

erect penis and about one that is unable to be erect. The

book is an evocation of the myths of the penis and a

gentle satire on the imperfections of having one. The

book will not only appeal to anyone who has one, but

also to medical personnel involved with one, or to the

layman. I have two criticisms of this book; first, the book

would have benefited from illustrations, which are

sparse; and second, the text is perhaps a little ‘dry’.

Overall it is a genuinely good read.

Jyoti Shah

Department of Urology, King’s College Hospital NHS Trust,

London

Urology: A Handbook for Medical Students

Edited by S. Brewster, D. Cranston, J. Noble and J. Reynard.

BIOS Scientific Publishers Ltd, Oxford, 2001. Paperback,

168 pp, ISBN 1859963005, £19.99

This book, written by practising urologists, is directed

towards medical students and provides a comprehensive

review of urology. A clear understanding of this surgical

speciality has become increasingly important in under-

graduate medical education. The book is divided into

12 well-written chapters, which integrate basic science

with clinical medicine. The individual chapters are

arranged to allow the ‘core’ material to be emphasized,

and case-studies are provided to aid the reader to take a

problem-based approach to the clinical setting. Similarly,

most chapters begin with a short historical review and

a section on basic science, which is welcome to readers

who are looking at the subject for the first time.

The first section of the book provides a general

introduction and essential background into urology, by

focusing on history-taking, examination and investiga-

tions. The chapter on investigations is particularly useful

in indicating the nature of each test and its limitations.

The sections that are of greatest benefit are devoted

to common clinical urological problems that the student

is likely to encounter; BOO, urinary incontinence and

catheters, neuropathic bladder, infection, stone disease,

andrology and benign genital conditions, renal failure

and transplantation. Finally, special cases are also

addressed, i.e. emergencies and trauma, oncology and

paediatrics. The chapter covering oncology summarises

to a high standard epidemiology, risk factors, pathology

and staging, presentation, investigations, treatment and

prognosis of urological cancers. Moreover, the layout and

design complement the text, with the use of clear tables,

figures, graphics, and black and white illustrations. The

key points, case studies, recommendations for further

reading, and up-to-date references are all useful aids for

revision and self-assessment.

The book has some limitations; there is limited

background information on kidney structure, function

and development. There is no information on alternative

therapies, which have become commonplace in the com-

munity, particularly in benign prostatic disease and recur-

rent urinary infection. To the authors’ credit the book

was not intended to review in detail all academic aspects

of urology, but rather to highlight the important features

and serve as a learning and revision tool. Finally, a glossary

would be an added benefit for the defined audience.

In conclusion this book provides a solid foundation for

and introduction to urology in a manner that is clear,

concise and informative. Details of many aspects of

the subject are well integrated and without repetition.

The book also has the advantage of being a practical

guide, by detailing the identification and management of

simple and complicated clinical scenarios in a manner

that is a pleasure to read.V.A. Elwell

Medical Student

J. Vale

Consultant Urologist

BJU International (2002), 89, 796–797

# 2002 BJU International796

Male Sexual Dysfunction; A Guide to ClinicalManagement

Edited by J.J. Mulcahy. The Humana Press, New Jersey,

USA, 2001. ISBN 089603917X, $125

The stated aim of this book is to provide primary care

physicians with an overview of male sexual dysfunction.

The book is structured as a series of ‘reviews’ covering

basic science, diagnosis and treatment of erectile

dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease

and, briefly, female sexual dysfunction. Although con-

veniently brought together in a single source, similar

reviews can be found individually in the relevant

journals, and the book as a whole suffers from a lack

of unifying themes and layout. Each chapter has been

written by enthusiastic experts in the various fields

covered. This has the advantage of an inclusive text but

tends to exclude a more critical approach which would

highlight information of practical clinical use. The

chapters on treatment are biased towards pharmacolo-

gical and physical modalities, with little information on

different psychological and behavioural techniques. In

addition, the possibility that patients may not wish to

receive any treatment was not presented as an option.

The overall style of the text is rather dry and academic,

which will limit its accessibility to the busy multi-tasking

target audience. The book is undoubtedly comprehensive

and most chapters are well written, containing useful,

relevant, well-referenced information. However, with the

rapid expansion of on-line educational resources, parti-

cularly in primary care, the appeal of this type of

publication is increasingly limited.

Robert Pickard

Consultant Urologist

BOOK REVIEWS 797

# 2002 BJU International 89, 796–797