I usually avoid hand-to-hand combat with Howard,  because he is a much better
flow cytometrist than I am and he would always win.


I agree that his book is MUCH more up-to-date than my book or Mike Ormerod's
book. It is also MUCH more complete,  because I, at least, have intentionally
left out many of the more sophisticated issues.


HOWEVER,  as said by Emily  Babendreier,   the up-to-date-ness and complete-ness
of Howard's  book may make it somewhat "too intense, " that is,  less
appropriate for real beginners who  want  initially just to learn the basic
principles of how a basic cytometer works (and may not yet or ever need to know
about side populations, quantum dots and violet diodes).    Also, the Shapiro
book is considerably more expensive for a beginner  (although undoubtedly
excellent value per bit of information).


My recommendation to real beginners is to start with one of the shorter basic
books or with a chapter in one of the multi-author volumes.  Then,  definitely
move on to Shapiro when ready.


Alice


Alice L. Givan