SHOCK, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp.
149Y150, 2008
Book Reviews
David J. Dries, Book Review Editor
MOLECULAR GENETICS OF BACTERIA,
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3RD EDITION
Authors: Larry Snyder, PhD; Wendy Champness, PhD
Bibliographic Data: ASM Press, 2007. ISBN:
9781555813994, 735 pages, hard cover, $109.95.
Reviewer’s Expert Opinion:
Description: Just as the title implies, this book covers every
aspect of the molecular genetics of bacteria. The clarity of
presentation and the book’s unique features make these
topics come alive. Because of the many new technical
advances that have occurred in the last few years, the third
edition is clearly needed. Purpose: This is designed as a
textbook for an advanced undergraduate course or a graduate
course. It is very hard to find a book as well designed for
teaching as this one is. It clearly should be considered one of
the top textbooks in this field. Audience: Although written as
a textbook for students, as I was evaluating it, I continually
was drawn in and had to stop to read more on subjects I had
not reviewed in many years. The authors have produced a
great textbook. Features: In the front cover of the book is a
nice figure showing the structure of the amino acids, the
genetic codes, and the nucleotide structure. This is very
helpful to have at the very beginning of this book. The book
starts with chapters that describe bacterial chromosomes, gene
expression, bacterial inheritance, and genetic mutations and
then moves on to cover plasmids, phages, conjugation,
regulation of genes, and repair of DNA. Each chapter is
stuffed with incredibly good illustrations and contains boxed
material that provides more details about a specific topic or
interesting facts. At the end of each chapter is a summary of
key concepts, a set of questions that assist students in
learning, and a list of problems that should lead students to
a deeper understanding. At the end of the book is an extensive
glossary of terms. This book is an excellent resource for
teaching the subject of bacterial genetics. Assessment: This is
clearly the best textbook I have seen for teaching bacterial
genetics. I think the reason it is in the third edition is the well
thought out design of each chapter and the clear and precise
descriptions of the processes. This edition has included all the
new information that is being discovered about bacterial
genetics.
Reviewer: Rebecca T. Horvat, PhD, D(ABMM) (University
of Kansas Medical Center)
149
Copyright @ 2007 by the Shock Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
MANUAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY,
3RD EDITION
Authors: Christon J. Hurst; Ronald L. Crawford;
Jay L. Garland; David A. Lispon; Aaron L. Mills;
Linda D. Stetzenbach
Bibliographic Data: ASM Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1-55581-
379-6, NLM: QW 55, LC: QR100, 1350 pages, hard cover,
$159.95.
Reviewer’s Expert Opinion:
Description: This fourth edition of the American Society for
Microbiology-sponsored Manual of Environmental Micro-
biology is written by more than 120 authors and is ency-
clopedic in scope. Purpose: Underlying the fourth edition is
the concept of the minimal functional unit of life: whether a
living entity should be viewed mostly on its own merits or
from the viewpoint of its role in an ecosystem. The authors
explore multiple relationships involving members of taxo-
nomic groups as to whether these relationships should be
regarded as neutral, positive, or negative with regard to par-
ticular involved organisms. Lest this all appear too philosoph-
ical, like its antecedent volumes, this edition is still very
technical and precise in its delivery of manual-type data.
Audience: This will likely be used as often by biosafety pro-
fessionals as by those who teach or otherwise work with
environmental organisms in research, production, and teach-
ing. Features: The basic principles of environmental micro-
biology (section I) and general analytical methodologies
(section II) tend to be common across the range of environ-
ments. The balance of the manual is structured into core sec-
tions according to the type of environmental medium under
discussion. The subject of water, the hydrosphere, has been
divided into two sections, one containing chapters which
address the fact that water often serves as a vehicle in the
transmission of pathogenic microbes (section III) and the
other containing chapters on general aquatic ecology.
The terrestrial environment of the lithosphere has been
divided into soil and plant zone interactions (section V)
and the microbiology of subsurface environments and land-
fills (section VI). While microbes are not known to colonize
the atmosphere, air does serve as a vehicle for transport
(section VII). Biotransformation and biodegradation are
grouped in section VIII. Assessment: Those with the inclina-
tion to thoroughly explore the biologically philosophical
150 SHOCK VOL. 29, NO. 1
question of Bwhy organisms are where they are when they are
there[ will develop a considerable appreciation for this book.
In fairness, this edition and the previous editions have been
definitive references for methodologies pertinent to environ-
mental media (water, air, and food sources of microorgan-
isms). Given the publication of this fourth edition, there is
little doubt that there is considerable demand for this material.
I loaned this book several times during my review and the
comment that I kept getting was, BI used it...I found it
useful...important.[ That about says it!
Reviewer: J. Thomas Pierce, MBBS, PhD (Navy Environ-
mental Health Center)
ANTIMICROBIAL PHARMACODYNAMICS IN
THEORY AND CLINICAL PRACTICE, 2ND EDITION
Authors: Charles H. Nightingale; Paul G. Ambrose;
George L. Drusano, MD; Takeo Murakawa, PhD
Bibliographic Data: informa Healthcare/Taylor & Francis,
2007. ISBN: 9780824729257, 516 pages, hard cover, $229.95.
Reviewer’s Expert Opinion:
Description: This is the second edition of a book that details
the optimal method of using potent antimicrobial agents based
on the pharmacodynamics of that drug class. The authors are
experts in the field and the book discusses the pharmacody-
namics of all major antibacterial agents. Several new chapters
cover malaria, some antivirals, other drugs (streptogramins
and oxazolididones), and pharmacodynamics in drug develop-
ment. Purpose: The purpose is to review the scientific and
medical literature on antibiotics and pharmacodynamics and
synthesize this information into an easy to understand
discussion of concepts and theory, along with their applica-
tion. This book brings together all relevant literature on
antibacterial pharmacodynamics. Audience: The audience
includes college educators, medical, pharmacy, and micro-
biology students, infectious diseases physicians, pharmacy
specialists, medical house staff, clinical and staff pharmacists,
and clinical microbiologists, according to the editors. It would
be a great resource for medical professionals who practice in
the area of pharmacology or infectious diseases. In a college
curriculum, this would be a graduate-level or postgraduate-
level textbook. The authors are all experts in the field.
Features: The book begins with necessary introductory
chapters, for these principles are not widely adopted clin-
ically. Second, new to this edition, models of infections are
discussed. The next section includes chapters on each of the
antibiotic classes, antiviral agents, antifungal agents, and
antimalarial agents. Pharmacodynamics in drug development
is covered next. Finally, pharmacodynamics’ application to
Copyright @ 2007 by the Shock Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
BOOK REVIEWS
resistance and pharmacodynamics related to formulary deci-
sions are discussed. Each of the chapters discusses the
pharmacodynamic principles and theory for the drug class
and application of the theory to treating infections with these
agents. Relevant graphs and illustrations in each chapter aid in
understanding. Assessment: This book will be extremely
useful to those who practice in the area of infectious diseases.
Application of these principles as the standard of practice is
necessary to make this book as good as it can be. The
additional chapters on pharmacodynamics in drug develop-
ment, pharmacodynamics in resistance, and formulary deci-
sions are nice additions.
Reviewer: Christopher J. Destache, PharmD (Creighton
University School of Pharmacy)
SEPSIS: NEW INSIGHTS, NEW THERAPIES
Authors: Mitchell Fink; Derek J. Chadwick; Jamie Goode
Bibliographic Data: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007. ISBN:
978-0-470-02798-1, NLM: WC 240, LC: RC771, Series:
Novartis Foundation Symposium, v. 280, 291 pages, hard
cover, $160.00.
Reviewer’s Expert Opinion:
Description: This monograph originated in a symposium held
on sepsis by the Novartis Foundation in London in February
2006. Purpose: Summary papers are provided with edited
and referenced discussion from symposium participants.
Audience: With contributions from world thought leaders in
sepsis, this is an appropriate contribution for basic researchers
and academic intensivists facing sepsis. Features: Laboratory
work with cellular and molecular biology is the focus of the
presentations, with mechanisms and utility of controlled
apoptosis, manipulation of signal transduction, optimal resus-
citation additives, and neuroendocrine response to sepsis re-
ceiving particular emphasis. Chapters are well written reviews
of the topics and include discussion sections. Each chapter
contains a short reference list focused on the best papers from
primary literature dating to within a year of symposium ac-
tivity. Line drawings and tables are occasionally used. The
table of contents lists chapters and authorship while both a
contributor index and a subject index optimize access to
content. Assessment: The book retains the effective conversa-
tional style of the symposium on which it is based. Because of
careful editing and reference citation, readers can easily fol-
low the contributions of various participants. This is a worth-
while update of many of the themes raised in academic
discussion on sepsis management.
Reviewer: David J. Dries, MD (University of Minnesota
Medical School)