This two-volume encyclopaedia provides detailed and comprehensive information of breeds from a wide range of livestock species such as asses, camelids, cattle, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, water buffalo, yak and other livestock that include elephants, reindeer, moose, elk, deer, antelope, rodent and fur-bearing species. There is a chapter dedicated to each of these species, which provide data on population numbers and background information on the physiology of the species, as well as interesting information on the origin and the past and present uses of the different breeds within each species. Each chapter ends with a list of references and further reading suggestions.

For those who are not from an animal breeding or genetics background and have a general interest in livestock breeds there is an excellent introductory chapter on breeding, genetics and conservation. This introductory chapter comes with a detailed glossary of terms (called Terminology in the encyclopaedia) and an index. The glossary explains complex terms in an easy to understand way and is important in making the encyclopaedia accessible to readers from a wide range of backgrounds who have an interest in livestock breeds. Some entries in the glossary such as ‘Inbreeding Depression’ and ‘Artificial Insemination’ are explained in detail and examples are provided from referenced papers. However, other terms, such as ‘Accuracy of Selection’, have only brief entries. Future editions of the encyclopaedia could be improved by providing reference examples of these entries. The index is detailed and allows the reader to access the information required quickly. Identical versions of the introduction on breeding, genetics and conservation and the glossary are available at the beginning of each volume.

The breadth and scope of the latest edition of the Mason's Encyclopaedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding will serve as an excellent reference resource for students starting out in breeding or genetic or the more experienced researcher.