Virology is not the easiest of subjects to consider studying so it was with some trepidation that I ordered this book. My confidence was well founded as it is in every way superb. Chapters include definitions of viruses, lab techniques, biochemistry, processes of infection, virus-host interactions, vaccines, evolution of viruses and focus chapters on specific viruss/groups. Every page was fascinating and ,relatively easy to grasp if read in page order (though this is not a book for the complete layman, 'A' level biology or chemistry will be useful if not essential). Did you know that ME is caused by a virus, or that seals can catch human flu, or that at laest two infectious particle SMALLER than viruses exist? Read this book!