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The color photographs and illustrations appearing in select monographs over the past decade represent a significant advance in surgical commu­ nication. Previously, black and white renderings were standard because color printing had not been perfected and its cost was prohibitive. We be­ lieve the gradual change from black and white etchings and reproductions to detailed color illustrations represents a tremendous twentieth century achievement. In our own urologic practices it became evident that the use of black and white sketches for teaching operative urology, while helpful, left too much to the surgeon's imagination. Even the dimension of depth, produced by varying the intensity of shading, often was inadequate in demonstrat­ ing subtle surgical details in a fossa or bed. Since color photography recently has been used to demonstrate oper­ ative techniques, we climbed on the bandwagon and photographed in color many of the major operative procedures. However, the reflection of light caused by normal tissue fluid significantly reduces the clarity of photo­ graphs. Not infrequently, the crucial operative step is obscured by light reflected on a trickle of blood. Even when meticulous care is taken to ir­ rigate and clean the surgical field, the tissue sheen obscures portions of the field. Color paintings by a gifted artist are not only unique, but can be extraordinary; the vividness with which subtleties can thus be portrayed cannot be matched by photography, black and white or color.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related, nonmalignant condition that may lead to bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms. The standard treatment of BPH has been ordinary loop transurethral prostatectomy, but new therapies have been developed as a combined result of research, technological advances, and the cumulative experience of urological surgeons. Among the most promising therapeutic alternatives to ordinary loop resection are those that deliver topical or interstitial heat to prostatic tissue. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy, visual laser ablation with the Nd:YAG laser, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and transurethral electrovaporization are some of the techniques described in this book. These innovative procedures, employed by skilled urologists using state-of-the-art instruments, hold forth the promise of improved quality of life for BPH patients and represent significant advances in the field of urology.

This volume of important papers by one the world's leading astrophysicists provides a sweeping survey of the incisive and exciting applications of nuclear and particle physics to a wide range of problems in astrophysics and cosmology.The prime focus of the book is on Big Bang cosmology and the role of primordial nucleosynthesis in establishing the modern consensus on the Big Bang. This leads into the connection of cosmology to particle physics and the constraints put on various elementary particles by astrophysical arguments. Big Bang Nucleosynthesis has also led to the argument for nonbaryonic dark matter and is thus related to the major problem in physical cosmology today, namely, structure formation. The nuclear-particle interface with astrophysics also extends to the other topics of major interest such as the age of the universe, cosmic rays, supernovae, and solar neutrinos, each of which will be discussed in some detail. Each section contains historical papers, current papers, and frequently a popular article on the subject which provides an overview of the topic.This volume is testimony to the success of the integration of nuclear and particle physics with astrophysics and cosmology, and to the ingenuity of the work in this area which has earned the author numerous prestigious awards. The book, which is accessible to beginning graduate students, should be of particular interest to researchers and students in astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology and gravitation, and also in high energy and nuclear physics.