This unusual volume fills an important gap in the neuro-otological literature. It brings together a tremendous amount of information, which must normally be sought in a variety of textbooks and journals. In fact, it incorporates rarely found material on a number of exotic conditions. The authors have a clearly surgical otolaryngological orientation. As a result, the sections dealing with trauma to the facial nerve and the surgical approach to various lesions involving it are particularly informative. The book is remarkably up-to-date in most respects, incorporating the newest neurophysiological and radiological diagnostic techniques. The bibliography is also up-to-date and extensive. At times, however, the surgical orientation leads to overenthusiasm in that direction; tarsorrhaphy to protect the eye in a patient with Bell's palsy should certainly not be the procedure of choice as the authors suggest. Some of the statements are close to being incorrect, eg, the involvement of the facial musculature