Having used this book for my Virology class at Princeton (taught by Lynn W. Enquist), it was probably the best accompanying text to this sort of introductory survey virology course. The book can be read through, skipped around or used as a reference - it shines in all three uses. A great categorization of viruses, explanation of all the myriad replication methods they employ, the book is more than an intro text - the references at the end of each chapter point you toward very very good sources for further research. Highly recommended!!