Book excerpt: This authoritative work has been written by a man whose career as an active wheat geneticist has spanned sixty years and has earned him a world-wide reputation. The book contains descriptions and much original data on genetical and cytogenetical findings concerning cultivated wheats and their relatives. It covers chromosomal analyses, genome analyses, ancestors of wheat, artificial synthesis of wheat, evidence of cytoplasmic inheritance and variations of wild species. The author explains how these facts and concepts have been discovered, points out the importance inherent in these discoveries, and shows how they can be utilized in genetical and breeding studies. Special emphasis is placed on the motives, processes and development of the studies.