'Understanding X-Rays' is a book planned to fill the gap between basic and advanced knowledge of Radiology.It meets the moment when a - diologist is not available, and a diagnosis is required. Each section is introduced by a chapter on 'how to 'understand'X-rays', encouraging a complete and systematic approach to radiographs focusing on every part of the image.A three-point approach is presented, consi- ing of the 'quick look', a systematic detailed scrutiny of the images, and - nally a brief look at 'review areas'. Most difficulties in interpreting radiographs do not arise from iden- fying the clearly normal or abnormal, but the huge grey expanse between. Therefore, normal variants that may masquerade as disease are discussed in detail.Likewise, common appearances, often incidental and unimp- tant, are covered thoroughly, as these appearances can readily be misint- preted as being due to significant disease. The chapters on disease entities follow a logical sequence of conge- tal, traumatic, infective, neoplastic and miscellaneous conditions. Po- traumatic sequelae are discussed in much greater detail in each section. To limit the handbook to a pocket-sized format, certain aspects of Radi- ogy receive scant attention and some are excluded altogether.(The foll- ing are not included: physics, instrumentation, machine construction, - teriography, and ultrasound imaging of obstetrics, the eye and vascular structures.Aspects such as congenital heart disease, bone dysplasias, bone tumours and barium meal examinations are not discussed at any length).