'I now have about 20 books related to injury prevention on my shelves. When this one arrived, I asked myself: 'Do I really need another? Does this one fill an important gap?Does it have other qualities that make it worth the cost and effort?'

The answer is an emphatic 'yes'. Above all its other virtues, it offers a fresh perspective. The Scientific Basis of Injury Prevention and Control is novel not just because it is antipodean (meaning from the other pole as opposed to American or European), but also, and much more importantly, because it focuses entirely on fundamental issues – the principles of prevention. Consequently, the emphasis is not on topics like falls or burns, but on cross-cutting elements applicable to all injuries. This is refreshing and useful because it helps the reader view injury prevention generically.

Moreover, it is exceptionally well written (or well edited). The style is informative and scholarly but not stiff. The tables are well presented and the examples, albeit local, are well chosen, easily understood, and generally applicable. The references are for the most part up to date and complete (although a few important ones were missed. The index works well.

Thirty eight experts contributed to this book. All but three are from Australia or New Zealand and seven are, or have been, members of the editorial board of Injury Prevention.

The reason the book succeeds so well is that it is pitched just right: it is neither a primer nor an advanced academic text, yet in many respects it is both. Whenever a new term is introduced, it is clearly defined and more advanced work is alluded to, citing the more useful authority.

Newcomers to the field who read this book from cover to cover would be off to a flying start. In fact, if all the material was well digested, the reader would be well ahead of many other researchers or research consumers. The key benefit of this book is its added value – even if you have digested all the other big guns, you will certainly profit further from adding this one to your library. I urge all readers of this journal – indeed everyone working to prevent injuries – to get a copy and read it with care. You will be rewarded by many fresh and valuable insights into whatever aspect of the problem interests you most.'

From review published in Injury Prevention 2005; 11: 191-192, BMJ Publishing Group, by Barry Pless, McGill University.