Customer Reviews

Fundamental Virology

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Fields Fundamental Virology (and the more in-depth two volume Virology) provides an essential reference for anyone who works with viruses or needs to learn about them. It compiles the most up-to-date information and understanding written by experts. It is always my first (and usually only) stop in a search for information I need relating to viruses.

As an undergraduate taking a course in virology, I found this book the only book I ever needed. It has all the information that you need and more. I just hope that they will continue to come out with a newer edition since this book is out of date and the field of virology has grown since this edition.

I read the chapter on prions and i found it to be really good and up to date. of course it requires you to know a little background knowledge but if you're reading this book you probably already fill out that category. definitely not for the layman...

This is not the most exciting book ever written about viruses, but it remains the classic reference work. If you want to find out about a particular virus, look here (or in the two volume Field's Virology) first. Each chapter is written by the absolute expert in the field. It is an indispensable resource for students, researchers, or anyone. It may not be sexy, but this is as good as it gets.

This book is very poorly written. I am using this book in my Graduate Virology class and it is extremely difficult to read. It uses very few diagrams. In addition, each chapter is written by a different author. So, the writing style differs thoughout the book. This is often very confusing. I do not recommend this book to anyone trying to understand the concepts of virology.

I am an undergraduate student taking a course in virology, and i find this book extremely difficult to learn from. As a reference source for a particular virus it may be of use, but use of this book as a learning tool is foolish. Yes, this book is written by experts concerning a particular field, but it seems that the authors target audience is also...experts. In introducing fundamental concepts of virology, the text constantly uses examples to a particular virus. From this particular virus, it then makes reference of a mechanism of this virus. How can one make a reference to a mechanism, when one has not yet even been exposed to the virus family themselves? Its almost like talking about the stats of a certain sports figure, and then as a foot note make reference upon how the game is played.