The microbial world: surprising and stunning -- Microbes in perspective: of collectors and classifiers -- Molecules of the cell: the building blocks of life -- The dna story: germs, genes, and genomics -- Bacteria: the first microbes -- Viruses: at the threshold of life -- Protists: a microbial grab bag -- Fungi: yeasts and warm fuzzies -- Growth and metabolism: running the microbial machine -- Microbial genetics: new genes for germs -- Controlling microbes: not too hot to handle -- Microbes and food: a menu of microbial delights -- Food preservation and safety: the competition -- Biotechnology and industry: microbes at work -- Microbes and agriculture: no microbes, no hamburgers -- Microbes and the environment: no microbes, no life -- Disease and resistance: the wars within -- Viral diseases of humans: AIDS to zoster -- Bacterial diseases of humans: slate wipers and current concerns.