This ninth edition of a highly illustrated textbook offers 600 new literature citations and two student web sites. Part I of the text has been streamlined from six chapters to three. New section openers offer context for information, and each chapter now ends with a list of web resources. A glossary is also new. The text begins with introductions to developmental anatomy, genetics, and cell-cell communication in development. Part II introduces cell commitment and early embryonic development, and Part III, on stem cell concepts, covers organogenesis. Part IV covers systems biology and applications in medicine, ecology, and evolution. The art program features color images, photos, and detailed, labeled explanatory illustrations on every page. One of the companion web sites offers articles, movies, interviews, opinion essays, PubMed links, and a humor page, giving insight on historical, philosophical, and ethical perspectives in developmental biology. The other web site is designed as an online laboratory manual, with 40 interactive videos and 300 labeled photos taking students through the life cycles of model organisms. Gilbert is affiliated with Swarthmore College and The University of Helsinki. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)