In this book, John Murray sets out to discuss benthic foraminiferal ecology and its applications on the basis of observations of living assemblages on a global scale. This strict approach is different from previous efforts, which often considered dead assemblages as well. It results in a very clear observational framework about the actual conditions that support the assemblages found. The book is very clearly laid out, supported by an enormous web-based resource, with tables of all the data presented in the book.

The book starts with brief summaries on methods and biological/ecological aspects. Next, it launches into the discussion of benthic foraminiferal distributions. Here, the text sometimes assumes the character of an encyclopaedia, listing somewhat ‘dry’ facts and statistics about benthic foraminifera in a range of different environments around the world. However, it is well organized and as a result easy to digest and follow from one section to another. Personally, I would have liked to see maps identifying the many geographic locations that are discussed, but this omission is easily dealt with by evaluating the book next to an atlas, or a web-based geographic resource. Once the reader hits Chapter 7, on the deep sea, the text becomes much more specific on the processes and controls that govern the distribution patterns. It is obvious that it is in the deep sea that the vast majority of such data have been obtained. Here, I find that the text excels in clarity, and that it provides an impressive synthesis of a vast array of studies. Even more than the preceding chapters, the deep-sea chapter delivers a truly essential starter to all who consider a career in benthic foraminiferal ecology or its use in reconstructions of (past) environments.

The final chapters summarize living distributions and the processes behind them, discuss the changes from live to dead and fossil assemblages (essential for down-core studies), and introduce applications of the observations that are brought together in the book in palaeoecological and palaeoceanographic studies. The latter two topics are not at the core of the book, and are mainly presented in the form of brief summaries and examples. Still, they convey the message well, and the reader is left with a positive impression of having been presented with a state-of-the-art introduction and overview in benthic foraminiferal ecology and its applications. This book is written by an acclaimed authority, and it shows.

The copy I had for evaluation was hardbound and very neatly printed. All figures are clear and well laid out, and the scanning electron micrographs are of excellent quality – it's a shame there were not a few more of those throughout the book. Good images can always be found on the web, but there's no substitute to having them within the main text volume. The reference list is as extensive as it could possibly be, and the volume of data that has been brought together from around the world is truly amazing. This is a very good reference volume for people working in the discipline, and a great introduction to those aspiring to do so. Now for a volunteer to integrate all these datasets into a Google-Earth-type framework . . .