An essential introductory overview of the field of bacterial evolution. - Covers fundamental topics crucial to the understanding of microbial evolution. - Presents significant technological changes of the past decade, with discussion of and reference to the newest techniques employed in the field. - Contains a selection of study questions after each chapter, and each section concludes with a chapter summarizing highlights and themes presented in that section. - Includes general references for further reading suggestions, historical references, and specific references citing papers in a given subject area. - Serves as a text for students in the fields of microbiology and related life sciences, and as a resource for practicing microbiologists.