Introduction to finite fields and their applications (revised edition) , by Rudolf Lidl and Harald Niederreiter. Pp. 416. £29.95. 1994. ISBN 0-521-46094-8 (Cambridge University Press)

fluctuates, but many of the problems and pressures identified will strike a resonant chord with secondary as well as tertiary teachers. I particularly enjoyed Ernie Haidon and Brian Griffiths' 'double-act' paper on quality assurance, which includes the following instantly anthologisable comment on Paragraph 243 of 'You-know-what': 'Paragraph 243 lists six characteristics of good mathematics teaching (EDPPPI or 3PDIE). But this diet is too rarely seen. Instead the students are often given Exposition and Significant Practice (ESP) and one suspects that ESP is not a quality way to teach mathematics.' NICK LORD Tonbridge School, Kent TN9 UP