October 18, 1951.

Dr. T. M. Sonneborn
Department of Zoology
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana

Dear Tracy:

You will not, I am sure, be surprised to hear from me in response to
John Behnke's note of the 16th.

About a year ago, when you gave some very good advice about what should
be included in a reprint book, you asked whether I would come in with you
in writing Mdopbiidalof Microorganisms. After some indecision, I told you
that I ha@ better not. The main reason would be the work obliged, but
another factor may be equally important: I would much rather have the
opportunity of reading, and of assigning in a course, a book you had written
than one diluted by my own comment. I still feel this way.

But Behnke intimated that you might abandom the project, at least in
its comprehensive form. I told him that I hoped you would not abandon it,
and that he could add my own urgings to his own. I can sympathize with
your wish to spread the burdens, even if I don't approve of it. However,
if the sine qua non of your writing is a collaborator, I would reverse my
former inclination. The btmhhhtthat I would set for my contribution would
be the minimum participation that will still allow you to complete the job.
Presumably this might maan something along the lines of filling in your out-
line with relevant details from studies with bacteria and viruses. It would
perhaps also mean some critical discussion of points of emphasis where we did
not see eye to eye. It emphatically could not mean that other specialists
would be invited to add other discussions.

If this letter accurately expresses your state of mind, we should get to-
gether for a conference: Esther and I would not mind driving down for a visit
anytime the road conditions remain predictable. But I would, of course,
much rather hear that you were willing, if reluctant, to do the job yourself.

Yours sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg.