Effectively the proceedings from the 8th International Symposium on the Microbiology of Aerial Plant Surfaces, held in Oxford in 2005, this book covers microbial diversity, colonization, spatial distribution and gene expression on aerial plant surfaces. The abundance of life on plant leaves, the habitat range of plants themselves and the environmental extremes experienced in this special environment make this a fascinating area for research. The organisms that inhabit aerial plant surfaces have profound effects on plant health, ecosystem and agricultural functions, and yet it is surprising that so little is known about the microbiology of our primary food source. In this collection of essays a fantastic overview is provided of what is currently known and the likely future directions for study. The essays are well-written, structured and provide a balanced overview, building on long-standing areas of study, such as plant pathology, through the fresh perspective derived from genomics, whilst also covering areas such as the role foliar surfaces play in regulating biogeochemical cycles. A useful book for students and researchers of microbial ecology, plant biology and pathology, though I suspect for a book which covers such a vast area readers will cherry pick rather than attempt to develop a broader understanding.