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RR 2014/018 A Dictionary of Genetics (8th edition) Robert C. King, Pamela K. Mulligan and William D. Stansfield Oxford University Press Oxford 2013 ix + 641 pp. ISBN 978 0 19 976643 7 £41.99 $65
Keywords Dictionaries, Genetics
Review DOI 10.1108/RR-09-2013-0234
As academic reference books go this is at first glance a sizeable contribution for a very reasonable price. The latest edition of this popular illustrated dictionary stands nearly a 100 pages longer and a little cheaper than the preceding version, for which both the authors and publisher should be commended. The book wastes a scant few pages for the introductory preface and acknowledgements before diving into the meat of the work.
The main entries are listed alphabetically and range in length from a single line to a full paragraph and are all written in accessibly accurate language. Given that genetics is rife with acronyms, these references generally only have stub entries with redirection to the main entry, e.g. "RNA ribonuclaic acic q.v.". As a consequence of the alphabetical structure, no index or detail contents page is provided. However, there is extensive cross-referencing at the end of many entries which will aid the reader in navigating the work.
There are numerous monochrome illustrations and photographs included, starting with a wryly positioned and splendid micrograph of a Drosophila melanogaster on the...