"Aim and scope. This book aims to provide “a roadmap for finding and evaluating sources of internet based information on complementary and alternative medicine ” (CAM). Using the roadmap metaphor, both routes and destinations are addressed. The earlier chapters focus on searching for and evaluating relevant information (the routes) while later chapters highlight quality resources that are available (the destinations). The book is accompanied by a CD with the full content of the book as a PDF file for which Acrobat Reader software is required (also provided on the CD). Summary of the contents. In the introductory chapter, a brief background is given on both the Internet and CAM followed by a discussion of who uses each and why. In Chapter 2, the reader is taken from the basics of searching the internet through to more advanced techniques and concepts. Comparisons are provided of the search tools that are available and there is a brief section on search problems and potential solutions. This leads into Chapter 3 and a more detailed explanation of searching for CAM information. Tables of resources with access details including web-addresses (web-links on the CD) are provided. Chapter 4 addresses the basics of evaluation of websites. Chapters 5,and 6 examine the resources available on specific therapies, covering acupuncture, herbal medicine and manual therapies, diet and nutritional, mind-body, homeopathy, prayer, spirituality and energetic therapies. The specific needs of health professionals are addressed in Chapter 7 with some overlap with earlier chapters but an emphasis on support for research. Ongoing research, research centres, news and evidence-based resources including databases for research are all covered. Chapter 8 follows a similar format but is aimed at consumers and for example, consumer summaries of Cochrane reviews are listed. The book concludes with two brief chapters, the first addressing legal, ethical and privacy issues and the latter a discussion on accessing CAM information in the future. Supplementary information is also provided on the work of the Cochrane Collaboration complementary medicine field and continuing medical education opportunities in the US. The book concludes with two glossaries – one of CAM terms and the other of computer/internet terms. Critique. This book takes an interesting approach to the topic in question. Rather than simply providing a list of resources, the aim is also to help the reader develop strategies in searching for information by providing an explanation of how the Internet and its search systems work. This should be of benefit to those who are less experienced while also providing some useful hints for those with more experience. The short section on evaluating internet resources is based on a checklist developed by the authors but for completeness, the reader is also directed to other schemes and guidelines. Another valuable feature is that the information can be accessed in a number of ways e.g. by therapy, by type of information or from the professionals or the consumers perspective. Obviously, there is some duplication of information, for example, some of the tables appear in more that one chapter. However, this tends to be reassuring rather than frustrating. Both authors are based at the Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland which also hosts the Cochrane Collaboration Complementary Medicine Field. As expected, this has some impact on the information presented. For example, access to databases, reflects the US situation and health professionals and others in the UK may need to check on access to databases with their library service. However, in fairness, the resources listed are very comprehensive and non-US resources and organisations receive good coverage. The evidence-based approach is apparent as sources such as the Cochrane database and Bandolier (an evidence-based bulletin) are covered in detail. This should ensure that these resources receive the attention that they deserve. However, some prior knowledge is assumed of terms such as critical appraisal, and publication bias. The lists of resources for specific therapies are comprehensive and reference to professional organisations and specialist journals will prove valuable. The inclusion of books is unexpected in a book on internet resources and an explanation of the choice of specific books would be helpful. Similarly, the lists of miscellaneous internet resources would benefit from some critique or comment. Osteopathy receives little attention due to its incorporation into orthodox medical practice in the US while aromatherapy not listed in the index but can be found in the section on prayer, spirituality and energetic therapies. The book is fully supported by the CD and the web links are up-to-date, although several link to the publishers’ page rather than to the resource itself. Overall, the two-pronged approach works and the material presented is comprehensive and up-to-date, although as with any reference of this kind, the latter may become a problem. The book is attractively laid out, well written and the text supported with screen shots of the websites and well-designed tables. There is some US bias but this is not overly problematic. The expectation of some prior knowledge, particularly of terminology, does suggest a professional rather than the patient/consumer readership. I thoroughly recommend this book as a valuable addition to the reference shelves of health professionals, researchers and organisations. It provides support for education and research – busy clinicians may find specialist sections particularly helpful. But to get full benefit, the CD is essential in order to access the weblinks – keep it on your laptop/desktop at all times "