Prescott/Harley/Klein's Microbiology [Hardcover]

Joanne Willey (Author), Linda Sherwood (Author), Chris Woolverton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072992913 | ISBN-13: 978-0073302089 | Publication Date: January 12, 2007 | Edition: 7

The brand new author team of Prescott, Harley and Klein's Microbiology continues the tradition of past editions by providing a balanced, comprehensive introduction to all major areas of microbiology. Because of this balance, the Seventh Edition of Microbiology is appropriate for microbiology majors and mixed majors courses. The new authors have focused on readability, artwork, and the integration of several key themes (including evolution, ecology and diversity) throughout the text, making an already superior text even better.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1088 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math; 7 edition (January 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072992913
• ISBN-13: 978-0073302089
• ASIN: 0073302082
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Microbiology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, November 16, 2008

By 

Brennan Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prescott/Harley/Klein's Microbiology (Hardcover)

This book is well written overall and it is fairly easy to learn from.

Having said that, I'd like to rip on a couple of issues. For some reason, it seems like nearly every time a picture is referred to in the text, it will be one or two pages behind the actual picture. This isn't a big deal if you're just reading a section, but if you actually sit down and read a chapter or two at a time, it becomes infuriating quickly. The book makes constant references to pictures, so it really slows down reading to have to flip the page over, find the figure, flip back, find your place, and continue reading again. The fact that this flaw could have been easily fixed makes it all the more annoying to me. Also, some of the chapters seem a little out of order. I often find myself reading sections that are 10 chapters apart, which cover very similar topics.

Another thing that is lacking in a few places are explanations of basic biology and chemistry concepts that are presented for the first time in the text. I know that you would be expected to know it already, but there are places where a sentence or two of explanation on a concept would be very appropriate and helpful.

If you don't mind constantly flipping the pages to see the referred figure, this really isn't a bad book. The figures are generally helpful and I have certainly learned a lot more from reading this book than I did attending lecture. I would probably recommend it despite its flaws.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An informative snooze, February 16, 2010

By 

C. Taggart "broke college kid" (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prescott/Harley/Klein's Microbiology (Hardcover)

I ordered this book because it was the required text for my Microbiology course at college. After having taken other specific biology classes without a book specific to the course (ie- Plant Bio/Botany with a General Biology book) I find this book very helpful.

I do have to admit, though, that if you're looking to fall asleep this book is more effective than a glass of warm milk.

From what I have read so far, though, the book is very informative. For the most part the text is concise, avoiding rambling or drawn out points. As another reviewer said, you might find a few rough patches when reading if you aren't entirely familiar with a lot of the basic, earlier bio course terms. The authors don't take any time to explain any concepts that they expect most students will have learned by the time they're taking microbiology. So, if you're taking this out of order, or early, you might want to have some kind of general bio reference at hand. I believe that a the book is also aimed at students who have already taken Plant Bio/Botany, which is not the case at all schools.

Buying on Amazon was an excellent choice, I saved about $80. Just remember, the earlier the better! And pray that you don't have to lug this beast of a book to class with you!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Prescott's Microbiology 5 ed., August 10, 2011

By 

DeeLaM (TAMIL VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prescott/Harley/Klein's Microbiology (Hardcover)

Prescott's Microbiology: the 5th ed. = $236.73 (new) & $1.32 (buyback) and the 8th ed. = $161.69 (new) & $107.06 (buyback). Note that the 5th edition still sells for almost $80 more than the 8th ed. Does this mean it is better than the 8th? I don't know 'coz I own the 5th & have no intention of selling it for less than $2 and buying the 8th for $160 to find out.

That said, Prescott's Microbiology texts are one of the most comprehensive Microbiology texts in the world given that you have a basic understanding and fair recollection of high school/undergraduate level Biology. A bonus is that this text always covers the basics of Immunology & Molecular Biology/Genetics as well. A good investment provided you have the drive to pore over a book of its physical proportions. If you generally find over-sized textbooks boring use more concise/easier to carry texts like the ones listed below.

Gardner for Genetics
Ananthanarayan & Paniker for Medical Microbiology
Freifelder's for Molecular Biology
Lippincott or Roitt for Immunology
Bailey's for Diagnostic Microbiology
Cappuccino & Sherman's Laboratory Manual

I know it's a lot of books but each one is well worth the money. They're all well organized & written for students on the go. Very concise, facts only/no waffle texts that are also easy to read.