This book provides a reference guide to every major system in the human body, from the cellular level, to tissues, organs, and how those organs work together. The structure, function and common disorders of each system is explained in a clear and concise way - detailed enough to satisfy students of human biology and anatomy, but also clear and simple enough for anyone who is just interested in how things work. Where this book really shines, however, is in the illustrations. In addition to hundreds of superbly detailed and well annotated diagrams, there are also photographs, micrographs (light microscope, SEM and TEM images), X-rays and scans.

The final section of the book deals with the life cycle, from conception to ageing, and includes chapters on inheritance.Much of what is included in this book is directly relevant to the school biology syllabus, and will appeal to anyone studying biology, from GCSE level upwards.

An interactive DVD-rom is also included. This has basic overviews of each system which may be useful for anatomy students. The best part of the DVD is a collection of four animations - Nerve Impulse, Beating Heart, Inflammatory Response, and Conception - which are very well done and will be a valuable resource for students or teachers of GCSE biology. Though there is no commentary, each animation is followed by a written guide, with still images, to the stages of each process.