Medical Virology, Fourth Edition [Hardcover]

D. E. White (Author), Frank J. Fenner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0127466428 | ISBN-13: 978-0127466422 | Publication Date: July 11, 1994 | Edition: 4

Medical Virology first appeared in 1970 and was immediately hailed as a classic. The Fourth Edition has been completely updated, substantially rewritten, and considerably expanded. Acknowledging that today's students possess a more sophisticated background of molecular and cellular biology, the book is pitched a little higher than was the third edition. Nevertheless, it maintains the exceptionally high standards of the three previous editions, including the now famous user-friendly style. Hundreds of instructive diagrams and succinct tables smooth the path for the reader. Extensive lists of recent authoritative reviews at the end of each of the 36 chapters simplifies the reader's entry into the scientific literature. Throughout, the focus is on fundamental principles, mechanisms and basic facts, rather than on overwhelming detail.
Part I of the book, expanded to over 400 pages, comprises in effect a self-contained overview of the Principles of Virology. Part II, entitled Viruses of Humans, deals comprehensively with all the families of human viruses. Extensive coverage is given to the molecular biology of the viruses and of viral replication, pathogenesis and immunity, clinical features of all important diseases caused by all viruses affecting humans, the latest laboratory diagnostic methods, epidemiology and control, including chemotherapy and vaccines.
This lucid and concise yet comprehensive text is admirably suited to the needs not only of advanced students of science and medicine but also particularly of postgraduate students, teachers, and research workers in all areas of virology.

Key Features
* Molecular biology of viruses and viral replication
* Pathogenesis and immunity
* Latest laboratory diagnostic methods
* Clinical features of human viral diseases
* Vaccines and chemotherapy
* Epidemiology and control

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Easy to read, and the topics are well covered."
--ASM NEWS
"The book is a tour de force. Such breadth is more often a team than a tandem effort and readers must admire the depth of scholarship involved. The benefit is an evenness of coverage and integration of subject matter, sometimes lacking in multi-author productions. Despite the vast subject area, the referencing (1992 touching on 1993) is reasonably contemporary.
This is a book at a fair price to bring the reader up to speed with the research literature, to bring the concerned clinician to moleclar virology, the molecular virologists to the medical problems which are becoming amenable to solution by molecular techniques and, not least, a reference book for undergraduates. Its production in Fenner's 80th birthday year is fitting tribute to the two of the pillars of Australian virology."
--SOCIETY FOR GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY QUARTERLY
"...it is a remarkable achievement that two authors have produced such a consistent, broad-ranging and authoritative text... It is highly recommended as providing a first-class grounding in virology for medical and science undergraduates... For postgraduate study in clinical or laboratory research in virology, this book provides an invaluable comprehensive and balanced foundation to complement more detailed selective reference material."
--Chris Burrell, University of Adelaide, in MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA
"This book is to be highly recommended to students and established workers alike... A 'must' on the shelves of all those connected, however remotely, with virological topics and it should be stressed that despite its title it is not in the least limited to material likely to be of interest only to medical workers. The basic scientist, the research diagnostician, the physician, and the epidemiologist will, together with many others, find that an outstanding textbook in this field has now been provided."
--M.A. Epstein in NATURE
"This work is well organized, concise, and so well written as to be a joy to read."
--J.G. GALLAGHER in AMERICAN SCIENTIST
"Such strategic care for the reader is rarely found in any textbook today."
--H.B. FUNK in GROWTH
"Like its predecessor, this edition is beautifully illustrated. These illustrations have been subdivided for ease of presentation into figures (line drawings), tables, and plates (photographs). The tables are invariably concise, and they adequately illustrate and reinforce material presented in the text."
--R.M. JAMISON in AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MICORBIOLOGY NEWS
"The book is remarkably up-to-date and comprehensive and is a fine achievement on the part of the authors. It is very difficult to make a good book even better, but White and Fenner have managed to do so."
--M. ALPERS in VIRUS INFORMATION EXCHANGE NEWSLETTER

From the Back Cover

This Fourth Edition of Medical Virology has been completely updated, substantially rewritten, and considerably expanded. Throughout, the focus is on fundamental principles, mechanisms, and basic facts. Hundreds of instructive diagrams, well-chosen photographs, and succinct tables smooth the path for the reader, and extensive lists of authoritative reviews at the ends of the chapters simplify the reader's entry to the scientific literature. Part I presents a comprehensive overview of the principles of virology. The chapters in Part II describe all aspects of each family of viruses with members that cause human diseases.
Highlights
* Molecular biology of viruses and viral replication
* Pathogenesis and immunity
* Latest laboratory diagnostic methods
* Clinical features of human viral diseases
* Vaccines and chemotherapy
* Epidemiology and control

Product Details

• Hardcover: 603 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 4 edition (July 11, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0127466428
• ISBN-13: 978-0127466422
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Virology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a small handbook sized textbook, January 3, 2000

By 

D. Lane (Paignton, Devon United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Medical Virology, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

As I have made out in my title, this is the best way I can describe this book. Its small size contradicts its vast amount of information within. With respect to the other reviewer the book I find is excellent at delivering highly detailed information in the fewest words - cutting to the chase - however like the other reviewer comments, its detail can be off putting without sufficient back up by other texts. In this respect the book is probably best thought of as reference material for instant access to cutting edge information on viruses. The book also has sections that individually deal with the virus families and allow the reader to quickly access information regarding viruses belonging to each family, which is particularly useful considering the quagmire of virus names.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Virology book, July 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Medical Virology, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

While at first approach I backed away from this book, I later went back to it and found it to be the book to learn virology from. I've tried other books and they fail in comparison. This book teaches you a great amount of information on virology and has a special part for information on the different virus types. This book is highly recommended to students or hobbyists - though beware some information on genetics, chemistry and regular biology might be useful and come in handy, it is not required - just skip any technical parts in the book.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is not too great for beginning virologists, October 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Medical Virology, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

Medical Virology is not an ideal book for students new to virology. It is currently the prescribed text for an undergraduate course that I am taking, and unfortunately, the book is not well done. Fortunately for me, I've had other courses that provided the background that this book doesn't present in a coherent manner. The book introduces a topic, starts to explain it, and then just drops it. While it might be a good overview for people familiar with virology, students just starting out would be better served by buying Fundamental Virology.