The numerous short papers of this collection stem from a two-day workshop hosted by the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Emerging Infections (the chair of the Institute, Joshua Lederberg, and director, Stacey Knobler, are two of the three editors) held in June 2000. The papers are grouped into larger topics that include factors of emergence, diagnosis and control, surveillance and management, and the importance of these diseases. A brief essay on the potential for their use in biological weapons is included. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)