Microbiology /

As indicated by the authors, this new edition (3rd ed., 2007), part of the "BIOS Instant Notes" series, provides a concise summary of most major topics in microbiology, ranging from the 19th-century history of the subject to metabolism as well as industrial applications of microbes. In addition to bacteria, subjects include viruses, prions, and even some eukaryotic organisms. Chapters range in size from two pages to fewer than ten. The most complete areas presented include the sections on microbial growth and metabolism, and bacterial genetics. The authors note that more recent biochemical and molecular techniques such as microarray analysis and genome sequencing have been omitted. No photographs are provided, but numerous diagrams illustrate the concepts. A "Further Reading" section lists a variety of textbooks, mostly three to four years old, which the reader can utilize to study the subject in greater depth. This book is most useful for students with some previous knowledge of the subject, as material is presented at a superficial level; of course, this is the authors' purpose. It would not serve as the textbook for a microbiology course, but it would be helpful in reviewing for examinations. Summing Up: Recommended. All undergraduate students. R. Adler University of Michigan, Dearborn