Writing for a general audience, Salyers and Whitt (both microbiology, U. of Illinois) explain the science that should be at the foundation of recent media coverage of antibiotic resistance, but often is not. They remind us antibiotics have been available for only a relatively short time while bacteria have a natural advantage in that they are able to adapt quickly, and describe antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall or protein synthesis, examine the range of other compounds used for antibiotic, antiviral, and antiprotozoal purposes, and analyze the effects of antiseptics and disinfectants. Working at both the macro (economics, public health, politics, and the environment) and micro levels, they separate fact from fancy while still warning that the loss of effective antibiotics could prove catastrophic. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)