The premise for, and timing of, a tome on emerging protozoan pathogens is apposite. There is considerable scientific and public interest in the threats caused by the emergence and re-emergence of pathogens in both human and animal populations. Contributed chapters by 20 experts on amoebae, apicomplexans, ciliates and flagellates make up the core of this book. In the main, individual chapters are written with authority, covering many aspects of the biology, pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of each protozoan in considerable detail. The genomics that are promised in the introduction are sadly lacking, but the references are commendably up-to-date, as recent as last year.

The inclusion of such well established species as Giardia, Toxoplasma and Trichomonas raises the first surprise. Rather more sensibly, the most significant pathogenic protozoa, trypanosomes and plasmodia, are not included in depth, presumably since it was thought they are considered sufficiently in other texts. However, the belief that this is rather a curate's egg of a book is reinforced by the concluding sections, which are out of place with what precedes them. Each is authored solely by the editor and appears as an add-on of inadequate depth and understanding. A few pages cannot do justice to topics such as 'protozoan biology' and 'host response'. Three pages on protozoan pathogens of major medical importance seem an afterthought.

In summary, if current research on Acanthamoeba, Isospora or Balantidium is your raison d'être, this book should suit. This is welcoming, as these contributions deserve exposure. However, the idiosyncratic editing, peculiar organization and poor production, particularly of figures, may discourage all but the keenest eukaryotic microbiologist.