Reviews and Resources:Practical Handbook of Microbiology, 3rd Ed.: BOOKS

Abstract

For those who may not get much use out of the mammoth two-volume reference above, but would appreciate a more compact volume that also extends past clinical application, this volume may be of interest. Like the work above, this handbook starts with a section of chapters that cover general microbiological practices and principles, including sterilization, antibiotics, identification and quantitation, and epidemiology. A particularly fascinating chapter on the “Business of Microbiology” ends the first section, with details on hospital management, health insurance, and government regulations (among others). The second section narrows focus to specific groups of organisms with greatest emphasis on bacteria. But it also includes chapters on viruses (including some on phage), fungi, parasites, and archaea. The lack of figures in this handbook makes it unsuitable for something like an undergraduate textbook, but as a supplementary resource for student or instructor it would be very beneficial in its comprehensive scope across general microbiology.