**Description** This softcover pocket-sized handbook deals with the classification of fractures of the adult skeleton. **Purpose** The purpose is to compile all the important classifications of fractures of the extremities. These worthwhile objectives are met to a great extent. **Audience** The book is written for orthopedic surgeons in training. The authors also feel that allied professionals can use it as a reference. Ahmed Mujtaba Siddiqui MB BS, FRCS(Ed), is a Registrar in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Letterkenny General Hospital, Ireland and Neil Rushton MD, FRCS, is Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Orthopaedic Research Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, U.K. In preparing this book, Mr Siddiqui has correctly sought the advice of several of his teachers. **Features** The handbook is organized by the different anatomical parts of the extremities. There is little prose. Each section consists of one page for the classification types and the opposite page for simple line drawings. A single reference is used for each section. There is no discussion on fracture mechanism or management. **Assessment** Any useful classification of a fracture type must help the treating physician manage the injury and standardize the evaluation of outcome studies. This work pools most of the major classifications. The authors elected not to include the AO's comprehensive typing system, which is probably the way to go. In spite of this deficiency, the book is most useful as a quick guide to reviewing fracture types. Orthopedic trainees and orthopedists can benefit from having it available as a pocket reference. This book has a very specific target audience - in most instances it would only be useful to fairly advanced trainee orthopaedic surgeons. If it is recognised as a reminder reference, then it is useful but, as such, expensive. It provides a fairly comprehensive list of fracture classifications within orthopaedic surgery. To use it one must be familiar with each classification, and what it implies about the fracture, as well as its treatment and prognosis. As such, the book serves as a reminder of the details of the classification, but it does not guide a person who is not familiar with the classification on how to treat a particular fracture. Having looked up the classification one must then find another text to determine the appropriate treatment. Adult limb fractures does, however, meet the stated objective of its authors - that is, to present all the major classifications of fractures of the extremities in one place.
