The diagnosis of nervous system tumours now forms a major part of the workload of most neuropathologists. Advances in understanding the biology of this group of diseases continue apace with consequent developments in classification, diagnostic concepts and methods. The advent of this first edition of a new textbook, devoted to the histopathological diagnosis of nervous system tumours, is therefore welcome. With 651 pages, this is a comprehensive and readable account, written and edited by a well-known group of neuropathologists from the UK and US. The book begins with a short introductory chapter, followed by chapters which deal with general aspects of biopsy and intraoperative diagnosis. These chapters include a number of useful topics, such as a consideration of the practical approach to diagnosis, the diagnostic significance of specific histological features (such as rosette formation) and differentiation of neoplastic from reactive lesions, and would form useful recommended reading for trainees. The book then takes a traditional systematic approach with chapters devoted to tumour entities and ends with accounts of dysgenetic syndromes and the effects of treatment. This book is certainly focused on addressing the needs of the diagnostic pathologist. Perhaps its greatest strength lies in its detailed morphological descriptions, of great value given the variation in histological appearances that the pathologist may encounter. Diagnostic and grading issues are clearly addressed, including areas that are problematic. A further strength is the detailed consideration given to histological differential diagnosis. Given its central role in diagnosis, immunohistochemistry is given due prominence and the role of newer methodologies discussed. Pathologists will appreciate the abundant, high-quality photomicrographs, as well as images of macroscopic specimens and of neuro-imaging. Pathologists view diagnostic images in colour, so it's good to see that all of the photomicrographs are presented in colour. The authors also make a judicious use of tables, for example, to summarize immunohistochemical profiles and schemes for investigation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology findings are presented rather variably. For example, there is a useful headed section on CSF cytology in the account of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, but CSF appearances in medulloblastoma are only mentioned in passing. The discussion as presented in this text is welcome, but could be usefully strengthened and made more systematic in a future edition. There is a useful chapter on metastatic tumours of the CNS, a significant area of clinical practice, often neglected in textbooks of CNS tumours. This includes a helpful consideration of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of these tumours and in helping to identify an unknown primary site of origin. With an ever increasing range of antibodies available, this is an area that could hopefully be further developed in subsequent editions. In addition to its diagnostic strengths, this book presents a rounded account of nervous system tumours, including epidemiology, aetiology, clinical aspects and molecular genetics. The coverage is therefore sufficiently broad and deep for this book to be of considerable interest to scientists and clinicians interested in neuro-oncology as well as satisfying the needs of the pathologist. The presentation of this book is excellent. It's an attractive publication, which I have found to be user-friendly. Colour coding of the chapters imparts a modern look. I’m not sure that this feature is practically very helpful, but it looks nice. Neuropathologists are not short of books to choose from and there are competitors. The Surgical Pathology of the Nervous System and its Coverings (eds Burger et al.) is perhaps its major competitor as a diagnostic text. It is broader in scope, its coverage of surgical pathology including non-neoplastic disorders. In comparison, Diagnostic Pathology of Nervous System Tumours offers a more detailed and comprehensive account of brain tumours, and reactive lesions are covered in differential diagnosis. Both books are excellent. The other major text of course is the 6th edition of Russell and Rubinstein, which, in addition to its systematic coverage of tumour entities, devotes eight chapters to a consideration of the epidemiology and biology of CNS tumours, including experimental aspects. This is comprehensive and a valuable reference, although its style is now a little dated and it is perhaps less user-friendly for the diagnostician. I have enjoyed reading this book and I have found it practically useful to have beside my microscope. This is an impressive book, which I would warmly recommend as a core text for neuropathologists and, more widely, as a valuable text and resource for those in the neuro-oncology community.