Much has been written about the Y chromosome and its role in inducing maleness. This will be the first book about the X chromosome as a key to female development and the role of X-related factors in the etiology of sex differences in human disease. Barbara Migeon, from the renowned McKusick-Nathan Institute at Johns Hopkins, is a major figure in clinical genetics and is eminently qualified to write this book, and she writes clearly and effectively. She describes both the underlying molecular mechanisms and the remarkable genetic consequences of X inactivation and it role in determining the biological concepts characteristic of women.