Alcamo-s Fundamentals of Microbiology- Seventh Edition Description:

Alcamo's Fundamentals of Microbiology, Seventh Edition review:
5 stars (A solidly written and comprehensive life science text) - Now in an updated and expanded seventh edition, Alcamo's Fundamentals Of Microbiology by Jeffrey C. Pommerville (Professor of Biology and Microbiology at Glendale Community College) is a solidly written and comprehensive life science text designed specifically for college students. Individual chapters address bacterial diseases of humans, physical and chemical means to control microorganisms, microbiology's relevance to key public health issues, and much more. The explicit and easy-to-follow text offers a thorough and in-dept indoctrination into this vital body of scientific knowledge. A superb reference or instructional text especially for students (and also for professionals or even non-specialist general readers seeking to brush up their understanding), Alcamo's Fundamentals Of Microbiology is a vital and welcome contribution to Biological Studies reference shelves.
4 stars (Good study guide for microbiology students) - I thought this book was a good source for summarizing microbiology subjects like telling the difference between staphylococcus and streptococcus in a very understandable way. It gave good summaries and served as a good source for studying for my college microbiology exams. If you really want to know the type of questions given on college microbiology exams get the following;Microbiology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers by Patrick LeonardiThe latter study guide helped me to prepare more thoroughly for the kind of questions encountered on my finals and midterms. I highly recommend both books.
4 stars (A work of art in the popularization of biology and medicine) - If you are looking for an easy going text on sucha complicated topic as microbiology, you have justfound it.In very accessible language, dr. Alcamo tours thewhole block, covering bacterial metabolic pathways,describing bacterial and non-bacterial pathologiesto industrial applications such as the making of beer. As stated in the introduction, emphasis lieson applications of microbiology to pathology.Each chapter ends with some student review questionsfor thought and discussion, which I found particularlyinteresting, as they pretty much covered all topics thatwhere discussed.Margin notes explain the pronounciation of words throughphonetic notation and act as an online glossary. Theyseem patronizing to those familiar with the subject matter,but come in handy for the layman.dr. Alcamo's writing style is entertaining and anecdotical.As such, it is a great contribution to the popularization of science in general and physiology and medicine in particular.I see only one point of possible criticism: chapter 2on the principles of chemistry is superfluous for thosefamiliar with (organic) chemistry and too concise for those who lack the background. In view of the furthercovering of bacterial metabolism, I'd suggest anextension of this chapter on the mechanics of organo-chemical reactions.