Recombinant DNA (review)

BOOK REVIEWS Recombinant DNA, 2nd ed. By James D. Watson, Michael Oilman, Jan Witowski , and Mark Zoller. New York: W. H. Freeman, 1992. Pp. 626. $49.95; $32.95 (paper). The second edition of Recombinant DNA is a new book. It is neither an introduction to the concepts and technology of the newest genetics nor a primer for the layperson. A basic course in genetics and one in biochemistry are essential to appreciate this tour de force of coverage of an increasingly complex and important discipline. The prose is clear and succinct; the colored and line illustrations and the accompanying legends are superb. Undergraduate and graduate students in biology should own a copy as both a guide and a reference. Instructors will find it a valuable resource. While some instructors may quarrel with the organization of the book, they should have few complaints about the contents of each chapter. Each chapter has an extensive, current list. While there is no glossary to find the latest terminology, the index points to page(s) where the abbreviations and terms are used and explained. This edition certainly merits both the cost and the space on every serious biologist 's shelf. E. D. Garber Committee of Genetics University of Chicago Permission to reprint a book review printed in this section may be obtained only from the author. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 36, 1 ¦ Autumn 1992 155 ...