Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine

"[2] The work is named after Tinsley R. Harrison of Birmingham, Alabama, who served as editor-in-chief of the first five editions and established the format of the work: a strong basis of clinical medicine interwoven with an understanding of pathophysiology.

[3] Creator and editor Tinsley Harrison's quotation appeared on the first edition of this book in 1950: No greater opportunity or obligation can fall the lot of a human being than to be a physician.

In the care of suffering he needs technical skill, scientific knowledge and human understanding.

He who uses these with courage, humility and wisdom will provide a unique service to his fellow man and will build an enduring edifice of character within himself.

AL.com in December 2014 wrote that it was still "a best-selling internal medicine text in the United States and around the world," and that it had been reprinted 16 times and translated into 14 languages.