Pandemics During the Rise of Virology

61 Volume 15, Number 1 are new, containing well-written, current, and relevant content. The Special Topics content from the second edition can now either be accessed as eTopics online or has been incorporated into the main chapters’ text directly, so this useful content from the second edition remains accessible. A primary strength of this edition continues to be the emphasis on microbiology as an “evolving” science, as its title indicates, not just a static compilation of facts. Throughout the book, research questions, current methodology addressing those questions, and active researchers working to answer those questions are highlighted, accompanied by numerous primary literature references. Through these, students see that, although much is already known about microbiology, many questions remain. By providing the threads of research, researcher names, short biographies, interviews with male and female scientists, and photos of researchers doing science, the text emphasizes how microbial research is done by real people not too different from the students themselves, perhaps inspiring them to join these researchers in their endeavors through pursuing research careers. Overall, this updated, captivating textbook is a great choice for teaching general microbiology.