“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Charles W. Elliot, 1910.

I selected Harwood-Nuss’ Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine because it represents something about which I so strongly feel. Whether it is a medical book or a book of fiction, there are few things more important than reading.

To serve as the editor-in-chief of a major textbook (through four editions, spanning almost 20 years) gave me the opportunity to combine my love for reading and my love for medicine. The challenge of compiling high quality, readable information from hundreds of contributing authors was real, but I believe the book has been an important resource for those physicians practicing the specialty of Emergency Medicine.

This 4th edition was accompanied by its own CD, a reflection of the growing trend for the use of electronic resources. There are certainly clear advantages to digitized books and web-based information that can be accessed from clinical settings and other locations remote from the traditional library. Although I have some concerns that textbooks may become obsolete (‘books versus bytes’), it has been comforting to know that the print version of the textbook has continued to have steady sales over two decades. I hope this is an indication that there will always be readers who value books they can hold.

Photo by: Dwight Bennett, Ned Davis & Martine Horrell
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