With the exception of the Meinke chapter mentioned above, the Arabidopsis chapters are disappointing. These chapters devote much attention to describing the currently known Arabidopsis embryogenesis mutants and discussing the latest techniques. Little attention is given to connections between the mutations and their roles in the pattern formation, morphogenesis, and differentiation of the embryo. Since this is a book on embryogenesis, I was expecting more discussion of the actual development of the embryogeny and less of a laundry list of mutants and fancy techniques. My other concern about the Arabidopsis chapters centers on the sloppy use of anatomical terminology.
Plant development is a complex process, which demands clear use of terminology to be understood.
I would be surprised if it reaches such a large audience. The chapters of the book are too narrowly focused to be of much interest to people outside of plant molecular embryogenesis. Although this book is a good update on the state of embryogenesis research, I will not be giving up my copy of An Introduction to the Embryology of Angiosperms by P. Maheshwari. M. Smallwood, J.P. Knox, and D. Bowles, eds. Ltd. P.O. Box 605, Herndon VA 22070 - It is refreshing to see an effort directed toward summarizing recent advances in understanding of the plant membranes.