This, the 9th edition of Fundamentals of Microbiology, unlike all previous editions, represents the combined efforts of four authors, three – Koby T. Crabtree, Clyde R. Goodheart, and Ronald D. Hinsdill – being new to this volume. The field of microbiology has become so broad and so much new knowledge has accrued so rapidly, that it has seemed advisable to the hitherto sole author to seek synergy with others in presenting a revision of a book at this level. Nonetheless, this book retains its basic character and approach: it is intended to be an elementary survey of microbiology for college students, as complete and broad as possible. The new authors of this edition include men highly knowledgeable about modern advances in the field and in various specialties, as well as competent in writing.

{from preface, p v)