The book provides a scholarly review of the past and a carefully pruned view of the present. With relief, I can add that it is written in a clear, accessible style that students will appreciate. A welcome aspect of the book is an introductory chapter describing and contrasting neural initiation in a number of the more popular experimental animals. I find that our neuroscience students are often alarmed by the fact that a developmental lecture might include references to grasshopper axon pathfinding, frog retinotectal maps and fly mutants called repo . Each chapter in the journey from egg to functioning nervous system is subdivided into small sections headed by key questions or statements.
Experimentation is stressed at every opportunity.
Technical methods are explained, experiments are described in detail, and their results are carefully interpreted. The authors have done a first-rate job of presenting a satisfying amount of detailed information, with additional references for the more persistent students. Throughout the book, the text is liberally complemented with figures. In general, whenever a diagram is needed, one is found. My only criticism is that I felt the book lacked sufficient developmental biology perspective.