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Rating: 
Summary: Good study guide for microbiology students
Review: 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 Leonardi
The 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.
Rating:
Summary: A work of art in the popularization of biology and medicine
Review: If you are looking for an easy going text on such
a complicated topic as microbiology, you have just
found it.In very accessible language, dr. Alcamo tours the
whole block, covering bacterial metabolic pathways,
describing bacterial and non-bacterial pathologies
to industrial applications such as the making of
beer. As stated in the introduction, emphasis lies
on applications of microbiology to pathology. Each chapter ends with some student review questions
for thought and discussion, which I found particularly
interesting, as they pretty much covered all topics that
where discussed. Margin notes explain the pronounciation of words through
phonetic notation and act as an online glossary. They
seem 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 2
on the principles of chemistry is superfluous for those
familiar with (organic) chemistry and too concise for
those who lack the background. In view of the further
covering of bacterial metabolism, I'd suggest an
extension of this chapter on the mechanics of organo-
chemical reactions.
Rating: 
Summary: A solidly written and comprehensive life science text
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent text and reference book
Review: This is a great introductory microbiology textbook that also serves as a good reference book. Microbiology is not my own field of study, but I developed a personal interest in learning something about bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Microbiology could be a very dry subject, but Dr. Alcamo makes learning about microorganisms very interesting and entertaining. I have found myself, on several occasions, looking something up quickly in the book, only to find myself still there reading on other stuff an hour or two later! (Wish I could say the same thing about all those textbooks I used to get my degree...)
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