the limited scope may be intentionally de- signed to direct the student's attention toward only the necessary topics for this

purpose. Barbara Minckley, RN Palo Alto, Calif

Management and Organizational De= velopment, Argyris, C: New York: Mc- Grow-Hill, 1971, 211 pp, $8.95.

The subtitle of this book i s The path from xa to yb. Xa stands for theory x, pattern a. According to Douglas McGregor, theory x represents management that assumes peo- ple cannot be trusted and would rather be controlled by and dependent upon man- agement. Pattern a refers to Mr Argyris' interpretation of interpersonal behavior as- sociated with theory x.

McGregor's theory y represents manage- ment that believes people have potentials that can contribute to an organization and pattern b represents the interpersonal be- havior of those in this type of organization.

The reader should not expect to find the transition listed in steps one through ten.

The book discusses three case studies of top management groups who wished to strengthen the quality of their organiza- tions. Observation and review were used to study the groups, all in different phases of organizational development. Executive meetings were taped, analyzed, and cate- gorized according to behavior patterns. The consultant helped the executives inter- pret the behavior.

Although the case studies are interesting to read, this is not a book that can be skimmed. It must be read in detail to grasp what i s offered. Written for the line exec- utive and for professional consultants, the book i s probably advanced for nurse super- visory people without sufficient background. The author hopes undergraduate and grad- uate students will read the book so they can understand that some executives are trying to improve their organizations.

Della Ruppert, RN lowa Cify, lowa

Manual of Surgical Therapeutics, 2nd edition, Condon, RE; Nyhus, LM, editorr: Boston: Little, Brown and Cox, 1972, 400 pp, $7.50.

This manual contains revisions and updated material reflecting the increased knowledge gathered since the first edition was printed in 1969. Chapters discussing shock, trauma, cardiopulmonary arrest, surgical infections and antibiotic therapy were revised exten- sively.

The manual's outline form makes it rela- tively easy to find a specific piece of in- formation quickly. Charts, tables and dia- grams clarify or add to the information presented in the outlines.

Each chapter or subdivision i s discussed by a member of the department of surgery of the University of Illinois College of Med- icine. The manual covers a wide range of topics and seems to include enough variety to be helpful in the care of most surgical patients.

Chapter one covers trauma; chapters two through four cover hypotension, shock, car- diac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. The remaining chapters discuss pre and post- operative care and complications; infec- tions; fluid and electrolyte therapy, and the management of many surgical prob- lems.

This book i s excellent for the "man on

the firing line." Its organization, concise-

ness and depth of information make it an

invaluable reference book for an intern,

resident or medical student. The nurse may

find it to be a handy reference, as well,

particularly as an aid in learning and un-

derstanding the rationale involved in the

care and management of the surgical pa-

tient. 0 Elizabeth Reed, RN

Philadelphia

192 AORN Journal