recommended by the Editor unless otherwise stated

A Guide to General Practice - The Oxford GP Group
edited by Andrew Wilkinson, Simon Street and Mike McGhee 3rd Edition Blackwell Scientific Publications

Cautionary Tales - The Medical Defence Union 1987
Originally published in the MDU’s centenary in 1985 this small book is a fantastic collection of medico-legal problems which are enlightening, sobering and amusing - particularly the one about the imposter GP locum who worked for a practice for over six months before deserting, leaving the partners to uncover the truth. He only received one complaint during that time and that was ‘answered satisfactorily’!

First Steps in General Practice
by D Gallen, W Coulson and G Buckle 1994 Blackwell
Although the start of this book is about training there are large parts on looking for, applying for and surviving in practice. I can't recommend it enough. Astra reps were offering it for free in 1997 but if you haven’t seen an Astra rep recently, just buy it!.

A Guide for New Principals
M Pringle J Hayden and A Procter Oxford University Press 1996 An easy-to-read informative book, with an excellent first chapter on the history of general practice (and the 1990 contract) and lots of good advice for survival in the job.

BMA GP Handbook 1997-98
Radcliffe Medical Press

How to…. Guide
General Practitioner Writers Association
Edited by Brooks, D
Limited Edition Press 1997.
A collection of essays by GP Writers on writing.

The Mystery of General Practice
Heath I Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust 1995
A short book on the fundamentals of our discipline. Rejuvenates professional enthusiasm!

Not Another Guide to Stress in General Practice
Edited by Haslam, D
Medical Action Communications 1994.
Written by doctors in the East Anglia Faculty of the RCGP

Making Sense of the Red Book
Ellis N and Chisholm J
3rd Edition Radcliffe Medical Press 1997

Making Sense of Pensions and Retirement
Lindsay J and Ellis N
Radcliffe Medical Press 1995 T(GP)2

The Exeter Locum Handbook 2nd Edition 1996
Adrian Midgley
The first comprehensive guide to being a GP locum copies 01392 214151

Getting to 'Yes': Negotiating An Agreement Without Giving In
Fisher R and Ury W 2nd Edition Business Books Limited 1991
An introduction to negotiating techniques. Should be compulsory for all doctors - essential reading for non-principals! (Martin Breach)