The present atlas of brain anatomy in its second edition is a useful publication for the anatomical correlations of magnetic resonance images (MRI) and functional brain studies. The book offers a three-dimensional approach to coronal, sagittal and horizontal imaging of the cerebral hemispheres that is highly interesting for neurosurgeons. It does not contain three-dimensional anatomical images as suggested in the title. Various sections of the same region, however, facilitate understanding of the real three-dimensional anatomy.

The book nicely displays the surface anatomy as well as sagittal, coronal and axial sections from various projections. Nicely and comprehensively labelled sections in various oblique planes with superimposed arterial territories are valuable in a brain atlas as a reference for microneurosurgeons. The figures are presented in very high quality and are labelled exceptionally accurately. It must be mentioned, however, that specific anatomical structures are numbered inconstantly in the various images, which prolongs understanding in some instances. The presentation of the cerebral arterial watersheds on the sections that are superimposed with the arterial supply are displayed in a very instructive manner. However, variations of these watershed areas are large and are not displayed. It is a pity and definite drawback of the atlas that it does not include images of the brain stem, the cerebellum and the hippocampus, respectively, because these structures had been addressed and published by the author in previous publications.

In summary, the atlas nevertheless is an excellent book that helps to better understand the anatomy and imaging of the supratentorial brain structures by the combined illustration of MRI and anatomical sections. It helps microneurosurgeons to appreciate specific structural and functional correlations of the supratentorial neuroanatomy. This atlas is worth looking at and should definitely find its place in every neurosurgeon’s bookshelf.