Daphne J. Osborne is a Visiting and Honorary Professor with the Oxford Research Unit of the Open University, where her research focuses on the hormonal control of physiological and biochemical processes in plant differentiation and development. Michael T. McManus is Associate Professor in Plant Biology at the Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, New Zealand. His research is concerned with the control of biochemical pathways in plants, including the biosynthesis of plant hormones.

Review of the hardback: 'Economically written as well as superbly illustrated, with up-to-date references and clearly designed Figures, this work represents excellent value for money for those needing a summary of the major achievements in the field of plant development systems.' Biologist

• Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Hormones and signals; 3. Cell-to-cell signalling - long distance and short distance; 4. Population diversity of cell types and target identification in higher plants; 5. Flexibility of cell types and the target cell status; 6. Terminally committed cell types and the target status; 7. The mechanisms of target cell perception and response to specific signals; 8. Hormone action and the relief of repression; 9. The phenomenon of hormonal crosstalk; References.