The Evolutionary biology of viruses

Reviewer: L. William Cashdollar, PhD(Medical College of Wisconsin)
Description: This book deals with theories, data, and discussions related to the evolutionary biology of viruses. The book covers a diverse set of topics, ranging from evolutionary theory to analysis of viral genomic sequences.
Purpose: The purpose is to place viruses within a general evolutionary framework and to encourage more integrative thinking concerning viral evolution.
Audience: The author states that the audience includes scientists in virology and biological sciences and evolutionary biologists. This book is appropriate for scientists who have some free time and enjoy thinking about their field in a different light. More effort needs to be made on the part of the contributors to convince the reader that this subject is something he or she should spend much time thinking about.
Features: This book contains no color illustrations. There is a need for more illustrative materials to help hold the reader's interest and explain the concepts. The table of contents and index were informative and helpful. The references were not consistent from chapter to chapter with respect to format; some included titles, some did not.
Assessment: For a scientist interested in virology, evolution, and philosophical perspectives concerning viral evolution, this book is worth reading. The audience for this book will be quite limited. It is unlikely to become part of any graduate or undergraduate curriculum.

L. William Cashdollar

This book deals with theories, data, and discussions related to the evolutionary biology of viruses. The book covers a diverse set of topics, ranging from evolutionary theory to analysis of viral genomic sequences. The purpose is to place viruses within a general evolutionary framework and to encourage more integrative thinking concerning viral evolution. The author states that the audience includes scientists in virology and biological sciences and evolutionary biologists. This book is appropriate for scientists who have some free time and enjoy thinking about their field in a different light. More effort needs to be made on the part of the contributors to convince the reader that this subject is something he or she should spend much time thinking about. This book contains no color illustrations. There is a need for more illustrative materials to help hold the reader's interest and explain the concepts. The table of contents and index were informative and helpful. The references were not consistent from chapter to chapter with respect to format; some included titles, some did not. For a scientist interested in virology, evolution, and philosophical perspectives concerning viral evolution, this book is worth reading. The audience for this book will be quite limited. It is unlikely to become part of any graduate or undergraduate curriculum.

Booknews

Provides a current and accessible introduction to viral evolution and evolutionary biology for scientists in virology, the biomedical sciences, and in other biological disciplines. Bridges the gap between these disciplines by considering the evolution of viruses from a number of perspectives and integrating the various approaches. The volume is organized largely along thematic lines--elucidating basic themes, mechanisms, and principles, using appropriate examples as available, and avoiding an encyclopedic approach in favor of the illustrative. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

2 Stars from Doody