'Dr Bernard Swynghedauw has written as sole author an important new book on molecular cardiology. He deals deftly with this oft neglected but increasingly important topic, and leads us gently through the forests of information, while giving us glimpses of what to many cardiologists are the still mysterious vistas of the molecule. The book then extends to the better known areas of cell signalling and towards the end tells us what can be learnt from the current genetic studies of rare cardiac diseases. To lighten our learning task, Bernard has provided no less than 69 figures, many of them outstanding. Furthermore, this all comes in a mere 250 pages, so that no one can complain that the task of reading the book requires too much time. I predict considerable success for this book and a second edition.' Lionel H. Opie

• 1. The New Language of Biology.- From Chromosome to Gene.- Current Technologies.- 2. Normal Heart and Vessels.- Membrane Proteins and Electrical Activity.- Contractile Proteins and Contractility.- Calciproteins and Calcium Movements.- Collagen, ECM, and Tissue Compliance.- Peptides Regulating Cardiac or Vascular Function.- Cardiac and Vascular Growth.- 3. Diseases of Adaptation.- Biological Adaptation.- The Hypertrophied and Failing Heart.- The Senescent Heart and Vessels.- 4. Genetics.- DNA Polymorphism.- Inherited Diseases.- Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors.- 5. Gene Transfers.- Gene Transfer during Viral Infection.- Transgenic Animals and Reverse Physiology.- Gene Therapy.- References.