Bloom and Fawcett was the standard textbook of histology for decades. Generations of researchers, physicians, and veterinarians learned their histology from the text, which was unsurpassed in its level of detail, clarity, and accuracy. Necessarily focusing on mammals, it offered a solid perspective on the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs, illustrated with excellent diagrams and countless micrographs. Sections on histophysiology and development in each of the chapters added for the reader a broad perspective on the subject. Finally, every chapter offered fine lists of papers and reviews in the primary literature for the reader who wanted to learn more.

During the past 20 years, several other histology textbooks have been published, many of which contain abundant color light micrographs, as well as TEMs, SEMs, and results taken from such techniques as confocal microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Bloom & Fawcett's editions began to lose the market as the text grew less current, and at this point it has been supplanted by others that are more up-to-date, and more attuned to the interests and perspectives of the contemporary student. Bloom and Fawcett will always hold a favored place on my own shelf of histology texts; the wealth of information the text holds is stunning. Nevertheless, texts by Junqueira and others are now better suited to contemporary courses in the subject. ( )