The third edition of Elsevier’s “Autopsy Pathology: A Manual and Atlas”, edited by Drs Conolly, Finkbeiner, Ursell, and Davis, has recently been released. Like the well-received previous editions, the book aims to provide a resource for those learning the art and science of post-mortem examinations, thus having the pathologist-in-training in mind.

In 16 chapters (on 381 pages), the authors cover all relevant aspects, including legal, social, and ethical issues as well as quality management. The atlas on gross findings contains the already known high class images, with few changes compared to the previous editions. New in this edition, and this implies a big step forward, is a chapter on microscopic findings. In addition to technical issues (“microscopic examination”), we now find a well-illustrated chapter, covering 24 pages, which summarizes the classical autopsy histology of the cardiovascular and respiratory system as well as the gastrointestinal and urinary tract, liver, and other organs. Here, the interested reader finds a collection of many worthwhile issues, which are often difficult to retrieve from respective textbooks on organ pathology, dedicated to the pathology of biopsies and surgical resections.

A free digital version (eBook) is provided. The online content includes downloadable forms and templates for autopsy as well as videos of microscopic examination and dissections techniques, online calculators for measures and weights, and also quizzes for self-assessment.

In summary, this third edition of Elsevier’s “Autopsy Pathology: A Manual and Atlas” is an excellent new book and a very useful tool for all pathologists, whether still in training or already practising, and this may be interesting to pathology assistants as well. It should find its place in all institutions involved in autopsy pathology.