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The Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology
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BOOK REVIEW
The Encyclopedia ofMolecular Biology. Sir J. Kendrew and E. Lawrence, eds. 1165 pages. Blackwell Science Ltd, London, 1994 Few readers of any novel would first peruse the general or specific contents, but would instead begin reading from the very beginning to the end. For many, the process is decidedly different in reviewing a scientific book or text. The reader first becomes familiar with the scope and then focuses on the content with particular regard for those areas of most common interest to the reader. The Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology does not lend itself to review by either process. As one who did not train in the field, the rapidly expanding language of the molecular biologist has made it extremely difficult to maintain even at least a partial understanding. The editors and contributors of this excellent work are to be congratulated for being sincere in their purpose by providing an introduction to the jargon, terminology, and guiding principles of molecular biology. As stated in the preface, the text is an encyclopedia, not a dictionary. Although many of the entries are given dictionary-type definitions, there are also many lengthy entries on major topics written in an
DIAGN MICROBIOL INFECT DIS 1995;22:307 0 1995 Elsevier Science Inc. 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010
easily understood style so the non-molecular biologist can readily gain an understanding of the topic. As commented at the beginning of this review, the first thing I did was to leaf through the pages, stopping to read a number of various entries and wondering all the time about the process used by the editors to accept or reject an entry. The editors state that there are almost 6000 entries. With the continuing rapid expansion of our knowledge at the molecular level, one can easily conclude that the next edition of this important collection will be considerably larger. Whether you were not trained in the field and are uneasy with the jargon or you are a product of the most current molecular biology training program, this encyclopedia is a must for your library. Even those on the fringes should avail themselves of this work because of the increasing opportunities for contact with the principles, practices, and jargon of the molecular biologist. Perhaps it will not contribute much to your vocabulary, but it is certain to make considerable contributions to your general knowledge of this rapidly expanding new field. ALBERT
BALOWS,
PHD
Alpharettu, Georgia
0732~8893/95/$9.50 SSDI 0732-8893(95)0058-I
BOOK REVIEW
The Encyclopedia ofMolecular Biology. Sir J. Kendrew and E. Lawrence, eds. 1165 pages. Blackwell Science Ltd, London, 1994 Few readers of any novel would first peruse the general or specific contents, but would instead begin reading from the very beginning to the end. For many, the process is decidedly different in reviewing a scientific book or text. The reader first becomes familiar with the scope and then focuses on the content with particular regard for those areas of most common interest to the reader. The Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology does not lend itself to review by either process. As one who did not train in the field, the rapidly expanding language of the molecular biologist has made it extremely difficult to maintain even at least a partial understanding. The editors and contributors of this excellent work are to be congratulated for being sincere in their purpose by providing an introduction to the jargon, terminology, and guiding principles of molecular biology. As stated in the preface, the text is an encyclopedia, not a dictionary. Although many of the entries are given dictionary-type definitions, there are also many lengthy entries on major topics written in an
DIAGN MICROBIOL INFECT DIS 1995;22:307 0 1995 Elsevier Science Inc. 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010
easily understood style so the non-molecular biologist can readily gain an understanding of the topic. As commented at the beginning of this review, the first thing I did was to leaf through the pages, stopping to read a number of various entries and wondering all the time about the process used by the editors to accept or reject an entry. The editors state that there are almost 6000 entries. With the continuing rapid expansion of our knowledge at the molecular level, one can easily conclude that the next edition of this important collection will be considerably larger. Whether you were not trained in the field and are uneasy with the jargon or you are a product of the most current molecular biology training program, this encyclopedia is a must for your library. Even those on the fringes should avail themselves of this work because of the increasing opportunities for contact with the principles, practices, and jargon of the molecular biologist. Perhaps it will not contribute much to your vocabulary, but it is certain to make considerable contributions to your general knowledge of this rapidly expanding new field. ALBERT
BALOWS,
PHD
Alpharettu, Georgia
0732~8893/95/$9.50 SSDI 0732-8893(95)0058-I