The first and in my opinion the best. I think this book is quite readable and probably the most authoritative of the texts.  While it offers a historical perspective, it is actually not as comprehensive as Tintinalli on certain topics (for instance compare the sickle cell anemia sections).  It is available on the web through mdconsult.com, which we get free through the Sinai library.

Billed as a review book for the boards, this book is actually one of the more complete textbooks.  Though it only one volume, the paper grade is much cheaper and the print smaller, so it actually contains more words than Rosen's.  This is the one I would go to if I need to look something up during a shift.  We have copies in the ED at both sites.

This is an incredible book!  It describes in exhaustive detail almost every procedure you will need to know in your career in EM.  This might be one to actually buy with your CME money.  It is also available free through mdconsult, but lacking some of the photos.  There are copies at both sites if you need to brush up on procedures during a shift. Just remember, it does not inspire all that much confidence when your moribund patient sees you reading the how to intubate chapter.

I thought no book would surpass Roberts and Hedges, but this one has done it.  Diagrams instead of photos are a far more effective teaching tools.  Absolutely complete.  So expensive, but so good; this is my recommended procedure text.

The bible on wound repair

The definitive monograph on EM airway management.  Get through this one during your orientation month.  You'll want to know the basics of intubation before your first ed shift. It is one of the few procedures we do where you can't really take your time.

While Wall's text teaches the skills of airway management, this book teaches laryngoscopy and the skills of placing plastic between the cords. You need to read both.

if you have not read it during med school, pick it up during your surgery block from the library.   Make sure it is the newest addition where they emphatically recommend pain meds for abd pain pts (and it is written by a surgeon)

Maybe, not worth buying, but definitely worth reading.  Written by EM docs so no operative approaches or long term management.

Pick it up from Elmhurst library during your ortho block and read it cover to cover. It is written by and for EM docs, so no boring crap, just the important stuff we need to know.

20 years old and still the best hand book out there.  You need to know the hand; this book is the way to learn.  It even has cartoons.  Elmhurst library has a copy; good luck ever trying to find a copy to buy.  ACEP put out a new book on the hand; I read it, but I was not impressed. Carter still has them beat.

Hate to recommend review books, but this series keeps coming through.

Written by Brits, but still a good book.  Has all the essential x-rays you need to know.  No UTS or CT.

The ECG in Acute MI

You’ve probably already read Dubin, and may even have glanced at Marriot, but the book that should be required reading for ER Docs is this one.  You think you know the signs of an MI on EKG, but you are only at level I, grasshopper.

Long awaited: before this there was no good book for EM UTS, now there is.

This is a must-own book for Peds Emergency Medicine.

Covers all the emergencies that need to be treated but don't need to come in by ambulance, ie. finger lacs and epistaxis.  Basically everything you will see on a fast track shift.  Of course our patients call ambulances for back pain for the past 7 years, but that is another story.  A slightly abbreviated version of this book is available on the web at :  http://www.ncemi.org/cse/contents.htm

this is your medical school physical diagnosis class taken to the next level.  All the skills and tricks of the old time docs who could diagnose without the benefit of labs and x-rays (of course they did not have the benefit of any useful treatment one they diagnosed, sort of reminds me of the neuro folks.)  I keep going back to this one to learn new skills as I get more comfortable with the old ones.  Available in Sinai's library

If you are interested in wilderness and expedition medicine, save up for this book.

How about a book to recommend to rotating med students.

Can't help but place this plug for a familiar author.

It was a little dry, but this is the history of our specialty. Shelley got a mention, yeah!