Linking phenotype to genotype has become the goal of plant researchers and breeders. This comprehensive review covers the major steps necessary to achieve this goal. To this end the book covers all aspects of genome mapping. It is divided into 11 chapters and starts with an easy-to-follow, well-explained chapter giving a general introduction to the concept of genomes, through the development of genetic and physical mapping to their application. This is followed by a detailed description of the development and of the various types of molecular markers available. The merits of different types of mapping population including polyploids are then covered, followed by an excellent description of the construction of genetic linkage maps that would be of real value to students, breeders and experienced researchers. Mapping of qualitative and quantitative traits on genetic linkage maps is then covered in detail followed by a review of comparative mapping and its applications. Though all excellent, the final three chapters appear slightly out of order. A chapter on bioinformatics and one on computing and software are interrupted by a chapter covering current genome initiatives, which would seem to have been best as a final round-up chapter. This slightly disrupts the flow of the book but in no way affects its value as a resource for both students and experienced researchers alike.