There are many plant pathology textbooks on the market but few with this combination of features. It starts with basic introductory concepts then proceeds through the major groups of pathogens. These are interspersed with laboratory exercise chapters. Other chapters contain case studies, which illustrate the main text. There is a good glossary and the index is reasonably comprehensive. It was very good to see a section on basics like proper use of stereo and compound microscopes. Tables and figures are all well set out and informative. The laboratory exercise chapters are well presented with sequences of experiments and procedures, lists of materials, anticipated results sections and questions. The text of the non-laboratory exercise chapters is informative, reads well and is sufficiently comprehensive without going into too much detail. The diagnostics chapter is adequate for beginners. As all chapters are adequately referenced with further suggested reading and sometimes websites, this should direct any reader requiring more detail.

This book is good for a university where plant pathology is taught as a major degree subject, but could be difficult to justify for use with single semester or more specialized courses. However, it is a good source of ideas and information for more bespoke course material to be developed, and the book comes with a CD with PowerPoint versions of the illustrations in the chapters, which are very useful for preparing lectures for such courses. The contributors are from America (especially Tennessee), Portugal and one from Canada, so although a wide range of pathogens are covered, there is an inevitable bias. Overall a very useful textbook.