Comments on: Koneman’s Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology

By: VALENTINE ODUENYI

VALENTINE ODUENYI — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:52:46 +0000

As long as the issue concerns clinical microbiology, “Koneman’s Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology” remains the undisputed champion. This newly published sixth edition is the definitive guide for both students and professionals. Its extensive and up-to-date coverage (of bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology) is second to none. In fact, this 1535-paged hardcover edition is an all-encompassing one-stop medical microbiology text. Very few standalone books come even close! And, its close-to 630 color sample figures exceed what many standalone color atlases boast of.
Relative to the previous editions, it is my wish to emphasize that every chapter of this book has undergone extensive and updated revisions. All aspects of theoretical and practical informations have received generous facelifts; and all the lab tests included conform to the current Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute’s (formerly NCCLS) specifications. The same apply to the design, general layout, organization, and remarkable referencing of each topic. Every paragraph of this book was explained in simple, easy-to-understand English. Indeed, this book is a winner: anytime, anywhere! It is a true gold-standard!
There is so much positive qualities going for it that one may end-up writing pages while trying to cover them all. However, I must highlight the only downside I noticed, which is that this book is very heavy. Still, its well-bounded hardcover, reasonable retail price, as well as the high-quality papers used throughout its 1500-plus pages, offer logical compensation for the extra weight. Cheers!
Rating: 4 / 5

By: M. Bauer

M. Bauer — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:08:05 +0000

An excellent combination of a reference book and a well written textbook.
Rating: 4 / 5

By: Jessica Holdren

Jessica Holdren — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:28:11 +0000

Very good book, but very very heavy. Almost gave myself a hernia trying to lug it to school every day. Ended up just leaving it at home and using the library copy while at school and mine at home. It has anything and everything about microbiology and virology. Extremely in depth. Maybee too much so? Can be tedious to read from cover to cover.
Rating: 4 / 5

By: Just Some Guy

Just Some Guy — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:44:37 +0000

This is an excellent reference book. It is a bit much to use as a textbook as it has more more of an encyclopedia feel to it. Most chapters cite about 500 sources but can be as much as 1400 to give you an idea of the extent of the information condensed in this book. Key characteristics of bacteria are listed in charts in each chapter and some identification schemes are provided. This is clearly a text dedicated to bacteria (15 of 24 chapters). The remaining chapters are broader in their scope and cover things such as general microbiology practices, mycology, viruses, and parasitology.
Rating: 5 / 5