At 1773 pages, the "Manual of Clinical Microbiology" is a good (medium size) reference for a clinical or diagnostic microbiologist. It offers detailed information on both practical and theoretical aspects of the subject. Its authority is unquestionable. Pathologists, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and anybody whose business concerns infectious diseases will find the book useful.
The only setback is that it is awkwardly expensive. Many potential buyers would be enticed by cheaper alternatives: there are lots of them out there.

This book is comprehensive, well put together and thorough in all of its aspects. It is an invaluable text in the microbiology department. I and my workplace have a copy, and it is the most often refered text in our laboratory only Bergeys and Mandell come close. All aspects including bacteriology, virology, parasitology, mycology, laboratory metheds etc etc are covered it is a one stop clinical microbiology text. I have no resevations in wholeheartedly recommending this book. The only thing I would add is that I would like to see it on CD-ROM

this is very good book , but u have to know the basic back ground of microbiology because , it give u the smallest detaile , and the unusuall things in microbiology, but it is the bible of clinical microbiology