A microscope is a gateway to another dimension, allowing us to explore the fascinating realm of microorganisms. From the colonies of green algae that grace the cover of this book, to bacteria, cellular structures and protozoa – an entire world of life, almost limitless and yet invisible to the naked eye, awaits through the lens of a microscope.

Until now there has been no book that offers easy access to the exciting and mind-expanding world of microscopy. Practical, compact and accessible, this guide is written especially for beginners. It provides help in learning the correct use of a microscope and the production of preparations. Structured clearly in 25 short chapters, it allows the reader to progress in manageable stages. Each step focuses on a particular theme, introducing the relevant techniques. From illumination to observation, from slide preparation to staining, this book supplies all the building blocks needed for skilled use of microscopes.

With this step-by-step approach, the way into the wonderful visual universe of the miniature becomes very simple, even if your first microscope is only a budget model: most of the activities suggested here work using a basic instrument without the more sophisticated accessories. Indeed, the history of microscopy shows that discoveries of great significance have been possible even with rather modest equipment. And this is just as true today. Illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams, this book is the perfect companion as you discover the richness of microscopic life.