This text, which is also published as a section of Microbiology, fourth edition, by Davis, Dulbecco, Eisen, and Ginsberg, serves as much more than a handbook, but less than a reference text in virology aimed at the beginning student. It is a nice working together of eight introductory chapters on the nature of viruses and viral immunology followed by 15 chapters on specific viruses or virus groups.
The book includes relatively up-to-date material on the oncogenic viruses, including human T-cell lymphotropic virus I and human immunodeficiency virus 1. The individual familiar with basic biochemistry but unfamiliar with an understanding of virology can glean a good understanding of basic virology from the introductory chapters. With these basic concepts, one then can approach each of the chapters on the virus groups to expand on this introductory material and to gain a greater understanding. The breadth of basic material provided is succinct but