This is the latest of several reviews of this fascinating topic that have been published during the past decade. Given the pace of research on the wide range of subjects related to induced resistance as evidenced from the many recent publications referenced in the chapters in the book, this up-to-date review is timely. There are 13 chapters contributed by 21 authors of international standing. The first chapters provide an overview and list the types of agents that can elicit induced resistance. Details of the genetic, biochemical and molecular basis for the different types of induced resistance are reviewed in chapters 3, 4 and 6 and show how model systems, based to a large extent on Arabidopsis, have enabled progress. The occurrence of induced resistance to pests in natural ecosystems and the relevance of microbial induction by are dealt with in chapters 5, 7 and 8. The remaining five chapters are concerned more with the use of induced resistance and include associated trade-offs in the plant, topical application, integration into crop production, a commercial perspective on its exploitation and future prospects. The value of plant resistance elicitors in integration of crop production is becoming widely appreciated, but as this publication concludes, there is still much to be understood about how best to use them. Although there is some repetition between many of the chapters, probably inevitable with a multi-author publication, the book is essential reading for those undertaking research related to the subject and of relevance to all involved in crop protection R&D, although some may baulk at the cost.