Book excerpt: -- The latest information on hepatitis, HIV, and AIDS -- Complete coverage of all blood group systems -- New information on quality assurance and informational systems in the blood bank -- Case histories give the reader a picture of what is going on behind the scenes -- Summary charts at the end of each chapter identify for students the most important information to know for clinical rotations -- Helpful pedagogical tools, including chapter outlines, objectives, review questions, and a glossary -- An extensive package of illustrations, including 20 plates of full-color drawings and photomicrographs -- Procedural appendices at the end of selected chapters -- Antigen-Antibody Characteristic Chart on the inside covers of the book provides easy access to the vast amount of information related to the blood group systems