The Prokaryotes : Volume 3: Archaea. Bacteria: Firmicutes Actinomycetes The first edition of The Prokaryotes published in 1981 took a bold step to become the most comprehensive and authoritative encyclopedic handbook on prokaryotes. Another important step was taken with the second edition in 1992 when the chapters were organized on the basis of the molecular phylogeny as a rational evolutionary basis for the taxonomy of the prokaryotes. By then the two volumes of the first edition had expanded to four. With the decision to publish the handbook electronically the third edition was the boldest step of all. The advantages were obvious and persuasive: essentially unlimited space no restrictions on the use of color and the inclusion of film and animated illustrations. Nevertheless the affection for a printed handbook was highly underestimated and during the first 5 years of the continuously evolving online version a growing demand for a new print edition was voiced by the scientific and corporate community. Thus Springer is now publishing a third edition in printed form. In total 7 volumes will make up this new fully revised and updated version. Compared to the second edition this edition will contain 85% new contents printed in color throughout. It will be ideally suited for research centers in academia and in the corporate world that need reliable and up to date information on the biology of the prokaryotic organisms