This book presents a description of phonocardiography and indirect pulse recording techniques, the physical principles involved, and, in remarkably complete style, surveys the findings in a wide variety of normal and abnormal states. It is an excellent book because of its style, content, and very good illustrations. There are about 400 references, and the reader can easily pursue any of the described areas in greater detail.
The style is authoritative but gentle, based on thorough knowledge of the work of others and on the author's extensive experience. These varying sources of information are identified in the text, and controversial issues are acknowledged as such. Dr. Tavel employs a technique of anticipating the questions that may come to mind early in the book and directs the reader to more in-depth sections. If the reader desires, he can skip ahead to a section that covers a topic of special interest more completely.