Sapira's Art & Science of Bedside Diagnosis

Don't buy this book if you're looking for a standard textbook of physical examination. For that purpose, I would recommend DeGowin & DeGowin or the various specialty books (I just can't recommend Bates). If you're put off by historical digressions and occasional amusing bits of pedantry, look elsewhere;you're missing the point of this text. On the other hand, if you want to learn to be a doctor (or a better doctor), you absolutely MUST buy this book. This is easily the best medical book I've ever come across (and I've even edited one). It is not, nor is it intended to be, a standard textbook. Instead, it is an intriguing, challenging, inspiring, and thoroughly enjoyable book that is better suited to the nightstand than the medical library. More important than its impressive compendium of facts is the way in which it reflects the passion, dedication, intellectual curiosity, and, believe it or not, fun, that should characterize medical practice. These qualities seem no longer to be emphasized in medical curricula in the US and are rarely in evidence in modern clinical training programs. If you're not fortunate enough to make rounds daily with a master clinician of "the old school", this book is an able substitute.

Sapira's textbook is an extraordinary achievement, a testimony to the highest scholarship, and will go down in history as one of the most brilliant works in clinical medicine written in the 20th century. I agree with Dr. Richard Spitzer's review below (duplicated 8 times!). This is a masterpiece of masterpieces, written by a professor's professor.

I have an enormous personal medical library, and this is hands down the best book I own. It is like making rounds with the most interesting, learned, and studious clinician you have ever met -- though I suspect many of us have never really met anyone of Sapira's polymathic virtuosity. The book is intelligent, clear, scientific, and fun. It doesn't read like a textbook -- it reads like a one-on-one seminar with a wise mentor; one who has "seen it all" and knows how to teach. Read this book, and you will be a far better clinician for having done so. Don't read it for Boards or exams; read it for your edification. I am an experienced neurologist -- and learned several neurological "pearls" from this book.

I stumbled accross the first edition by accident. It was pure pleasure to read and learn from.This edition is equally stimulating. It is full of facts but the anecdotes and history associated with the physical signs takes the pain out of trying to remember dry facts. I found it most useful as a fellow when revising and now as a consultant when I have to look up a reference before teaching medical students or residents. I think that the Neurology section is a bit weak and I do think that there should be a bit more surface anatomy. Otherwise it is a worthwhile investment and like any good book make the time to read it and learn from it. It brings the ART back into physical examination.

I tend to disagree with the first reviewer. Sapira has not included anything that is irrelevant. He has just made an attempt to let us know what all can be achieved by using clinical methods, an art that the young generation is forgetting due to increasing dependency on investigations. I compliment him on his great foresight and hope to read every edition of his great book. In countries like India, Physical examination and clinical methods are still the mainstay of diagnosis and treatment. Contrary to what is written the earlier review, I would urge the author to include more interesting anecdotes that give us an idea about the history of medicine.