This book is a revision of a classic text written by one of the founders of the discipline,
originally published in 1969. The majority of the text is essentially that produced by Erdtman but the
editors have re-arranged sections, and updated and revised somewhat. As in the previous edition, the
majority of the text concentrates on pollen and spore morphology and taxonomy. Much less attention
is paid to palaeoecology or interpretation of pollen records. The most valuable part of the book is the
150 plates, which comprise a substantial portion of the volume. However, the layout of these (plate
on one page, caption on facing page) gives rise to a great deal of blank space and results in a volume
far larger (and thus more expensive) than needful with a different design. I realise that production
considerations may have dictated this format. The volume also includes some invited contributions.
These new articles comprise K. E. Samuelsson and Y. Arremo writing on photomicrography, S.
Blackmore writing on scanning electron microscopy, a discussion of transmission electron microscopy
and cytochemistry by D. E. Stone and W. J. Kress, W. A. S. Sarjeant surveying microfossils other
than pollen and spores that can be found in palynological preparations, and S. Nilsson discussing
aeropalynology. The list price of this book, with postage, from the publisher is Kr 770; my copy of
the volume cost almost CAN $156. Unfortunately, this places the book beyond the reach of students
and many professionals.
