Chemical signalling in bacteria is common and this research field - once exotic - has now moved to the centre of modern microbiology. The editors have assembled an interesting multi-author book covering diverse topics, including chemotaxis, biofilms, carbon metabolism, virulence, magnetotaxis and aerotaxis, among others. These chapters convey the importance of this field involving intercellular chemical signals, the intracellular secondary messenger cyclic-di-GMP, regulatory RNA and other 'hot' themes. It suffers the usual affliction of multi-author texts in terms of variable quality, accuracy and readability. There are occasional errors of fact or typography, but the general standard is good.

This book could be a reference text for graduate-level education and researchers in the field(s). Arguably, such books have diminished utility because of the abundance and frequency of multicolour review journals that provide topical reviews with high impact. Nevertheless, this book would be a useful addition to any research group, department or university library in a research-active institution. At US$198, it is unlikely to be attractive for personal purchase.