Book excerpt: Focusing on issues of gene organization, regulation, and evolution in the context of the whole life of the cell, this new volume complements the editors' classic 1993 volume Bacillus subtilis and Other Gram-Positive Bacteria. Building upon the previous edition, Bacillus subtilis and Its Closest Relatives contains an updated annotation of the complete B. subtilis genome and includes a unique compilation of major pathways of metabolism and macromolecular synthesis, correlating genes and proteins and assigning new functions to many genes. It also provides clear explanations of the major regulatory mechanisms that are unique to gram-positive bacteria as well as an overview of their special properties. This essential reference offers detailed, current information and is valuable reading for microbiologists, biotechnologists, and students.