Developmental biology has differentiated into a rich, complex field that continues to progress at breathtaking speed. This presents a conundrum for textbook authors: present students with a comprehensive survey of the entire field or distill it down to the essence that provides students with a framework on which to hang the details and complexities. Fred H. Wilt and Sarah C. Hake have chosen the latter approach. Their target audience is students with a basic background in organismal, molecular and cellular biology who do not intend to make developmental biology their careers.
Is there a need for such a book? How well does it work? Does the book tell a compelling story that is as dynamic as the field itself? Would it be capable of corrupting students who never considered a career in development, tempting them to join the `dark side'?
The writing style is very accessible, verging on the vernacular,...
