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A Dictionary of Virology
Virus Research 86 (2002) 143 www.elsevier.com/locate/virusres
Book review A Dictionary of Virology Brian W.J. Mahy, third ed., Academic Press, Harcourt Place, 32 Jamestown Road, London NW1 7BY, UK, 2001. 0-12-465327-8; $49.95 With the field of virology moving so rapidly, a new edition of A Dictionary of Virology is more than welcome. The fact that this is the third edition just shows the Dictionary’s, success and I am sure there will be numerous further editions. This edition claims to have 25% more entries than the last, and yet is still a compact paperback; a feature in itself that lends the book to frequent consultation. The title of this volume is, however, slightly inaccurate in that it only covers viruses of vertebrate animals; perhaps a title such as ‘A Dictionary of Viruses of Vertebrates’ or even ‘A Dictionary of Animal Virology’ might be more appropriate. One could include the bacterial and plant viruses but such a book would be much larger and as a consequence, unwieldy and more expensive. In its present form the Dictionary is a handy reference text for all that study, or are interested in, viruses whether they be undergraduates, postgraduates or experienced researchers. It will be of use to all those interested in the biological, as well as the more clinical aspects of virology. It represents a wealth of information not
only on viruses but also techniques, cell lines and reagents used for studying viruses. In addition, the Dictionary contains a helpful appendix showing viral classification tables and schematic representations of the different virion structures. This already very useful volume could be improved by the inclusion of more appendices including viral receptors, genome sizes and structures and summaries of expression and replication strategies. It is always tempting with such a dictionary to attempt to find an omission, particularly of ones favourite virus or pet subject. I must say that this has been a very difficult task, however, I was a little surprised that ‘gene therapy’ does not appear and that there is not more on the use of viruses as genetic vectors. The price of the book is within the reach of most of those who would benefit from reading it. I cannot recommend this book more highly.
0168-1702/02/$ - see front matter © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 1 6 8 - 1 7 0 2 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 7 5 - 8
Christopher Ring GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gene Interference Department, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Ste6enage, Herts SG1 2NY, UK
Book review A Dictionary of Virology Brian W.J. Mahy, third ed., Academic Press, Harcourt Place, 32 Jamestown Road, London NW1 7BY, UK, 2001. 0-12-465327-8; $49.95 With the field of virology moving so rapidly, a new edition of A Dictionary of Virology is more than welcome. The fact that this is the third edition just shows the Dictionary’s, success and I am sure there will be numerous further editions. This edition claims to have 25% more entries than the last, and yet is still a compact paperback; a feature in itself that lends the book to frequent consultation. The title of this volume is, however, slightly inaccurate in that it only covers viruses of vertebrate animals; perhaps a title such as ‘A Dictionary of Viruses of Vertebrates’ or even ‘A Dictionary of Animal Virology’ might be more appropriate. One could include the bacterial and plant viruses but such a book would be much larger and as a consequence, unwieldy and more expensive. In its present form the Dictionary is a handy reference text for all that study, or are interested in, viruses whether they be undergraduates, postgraduates or experienced researchers. It will be of use to all those interested in the biological, as well as the more clinical aspects of virology. It represents a wealth of information not
only on viruses but also techniques, cell lines and reagents used for studying viruses. In addition, the Dictionary contains a helpful appendix showing viral classification tables and schematic representations of the different virion structures. This already very useful volume could be improved by the inclusion of more appendices including viral receptors, genome sizes and structures and summaries of expression and replication strategies. It is always tempting with such a dictionary to attempt to find an omission, particularly of ones favourite virus or pet subject. I must say that this has been a very difficult task, however, I was a little surprised that ‘gene therapy’ does not appear and that there is not more on the use of viruses as genetic vectors. The price of the book is within the reach of most of those who would benefit from reading it. I cannot recommend this book more highly.
0168-1702/02/$ - see front matter © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 1 6 8 - 1 7 0 2 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 7 5 - 8
Christopher Ring GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gene Interference Department, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Ste6enage, Herts SG1 2NY, UK