Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1065
Average rating: 4.0 of 5
Long Winded. Dull. A Waste of Your Time. 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Without a doubt, this has got to be the worst book I have read in a long time. What would have been an interesting blurb in the sociology section of 'Time' magazine, becomes hundreds of pages of pure mindless dreck in the hands of Jared Diamond. Let me save you a few days of your life by summing up the book: The reason why white, western / European societies flourished and the rest of the of the non-white, non-western world did not was because the European climate and terrain favored domestication of plants and animals while the rest of the world's terrain and climate did not. Therefore, western man had more free time on his hands to invent stuff and put a man on the moon, while the rest of the world, to this day, is still screwed up. Wow. I am so annoyed I read this book and wasted so much time doing so.
Editorial Review:
Explaining what William McNeill called The Rise of the West has become the central problem in the study of global history. In Guns, Germs, and Steel Jared Diamond presents the biologist's answer: geography, demography, and ecological happenstance. Diamond evenhandedly reviews human history on every continent since the Ice Age at a rate that emphasizes only the broadest movements of peoples and ideas. Yet his survey is binocular: one eye has the rather distant vision of the evolutionary biologist, while the other eye--and his heart--belongs to the people of New Guinea, where he has done field work for more than 30 years.
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 285
Average rating: 4.5 of 5
Editorial Review:
Inheriting the mantle of revolutionary biologist from Darwin, Watson, and Crick, Richard Dawkins forced an enormous change in the way we see ourselves and the world with the publication of The Selfish Gene. Suppose, instead of thinking about organisms using genes to reproduce themselves, as we had since Mendel's work was rediscovered, we turn it around and imagine that "our" genes build and maintain us in order to make more genes. That simple reversal seems to answer many puzzlers which had stumped scientists for years, and we haven't thought of evolution in the same way since.
Why are there miles and miles of "unused" DNA within each of our bodies? Why should a bee give up its own chance to reproduce to help raise her sisters and brothers? With a prophet's clarity, Dawkins told us the answers from the perspective of molecules competing for limited space and resources to produce more of their own kind. Drawing fascinating examples from every field of biology, he paved the way for a serious re-evaluation of evolution. He also introduced the concept of self-reproducing ideas, or memes, which (seemingly) use humans exclusively for their propagation. If we are puppets, he says, at least we can try to understand our strings. --Rob Lightner
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5
Average rating: 5.0 of 5
Editorial Review:
One of the world's leading neuroscientists explores how best to understand the human condition by examining the biological, psychological, and highly social nature of our species within the social context of our lives.
What happened along the evolutionary trail that made humans so unique? In his widely accessible style, Michael Gazzaniga looks to a broad range of studies to pinpoint the change that made us thinking, sentient humans, different from our predecessors.
Neuroscience has been fixated on the life of the psychological self for the past fifty years, focusing on the brain systems underlying language, memory, emotion, and perception. What it has not done is consider the stark reality that most of the time we humans are thinking about social processes, comparing ourselves to and estimating the intentions of others. In Human, Gazzaniga explores a number of related issues, including what makes human brains unique, the importance of language and art in defining the human condition, the nature of human consciousness, and even artificial intelligence.
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 69
Average rating: 4.5 of 5
Editorial Review:
Oliver Sacks on Your Inner Fish Since the 1970 publication of Migraine, neurologist Oliver Sacks's unusual and fascinating case histories of "differently brained" people and phenomena--a surgeon with Tourette's syndrome, a community of people born totally colorblind, musical hallucinations, to name a few--have been marked by extraordinary compassion and humanity, focusing on the patient as much as the condition. His books include The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Awakenings (which inspired the Oscar-nominated film), and 2007's Musicophilia. He lives in New York City, where he is Professor of Clinical Neurology at Columbia University.
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3
Average rating: 4.0 of 5
Not for the uninitiated 4 out of 5 stars.
19 of 19 people found this review helpful.
This is a good book if you already have a foundation in genetics. Oddly, the book is marketed as your basic undergrad genetics text. Yet instead of just explaining the concepts, it leads you on the path of discovery of how researchers figured all this stuff out. If you are still learning the subject, you may do better with Klug/Cummings/Spencer. If you are going into higher levels of biology and want to learn some research methods, this is a good book.
Genetics: From Genes to Genomes 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 34 people found this review helpful.
The book came in very quickly and I am very happy with the purchase.
Decent 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 7 people found this review helpful.
This book is decent. It seems like it could be used in a lower-level undergraduate genetics class. One good thing is that it includes the answers to odd problems in the back of the book (it would be better to have the answers to every problem). One bad thing is that the answers in the back of the book are not exact -- it seems like the authors used decimals in their work and carried the rounding errors into the final solution. For instance, an answer like 3/4 will sometimes appear as 0.746. In some cases, two parts of the question should have the same answer, but again, they vary due to rounding errors. This was confusing to me at first and is the main reason why I wrote this review.
Also, this book is way too expensive for what you get. Most of the material in this book is covered in [better] books that you will use later in your studies (i.e. The Molecular Biology of the Cell). If you can avoid buying this book new, then it might be a good deal. Otherwise, save your money because it is not worth it (ask your teacher if you can use a different book for the class -- in many cases, this will be acceptable).
Editorial Review:
Genetics: From Genes to Genomes is a cutting-edge, introductory genetics text authored by an unparalleled author team, including Nobel Prize winner, Leland Hartwell. The Third Edition continues to build upon the integration of Mendelian and molecular principles, providing students with the links between early genetics understanding and the new molecular discoveries that have changed the way the field of genetics is viewed.
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3
Average rating: 4.0 of 5
Amazing Intro Book on Genetics 5 out of 5 stars.
18 of 19 people found this review helpful.
This book provides a wonderful and comprehensive introduction to genetics. I'm not a biology major, but I found that this book is both entertaining and informative. The author describes a wide panoramic view on the genetics, and yet addresses the fundamental concepts in genetics in very clear manner. DNA structure, replication, transcription to RNA, RNA processing, and RNA translation (a.k.a. the central dogma) have been very hard to comprehend and visualize, yet the author explains it very well. Numerous detailed illustrations in the book really helps to clarify the central dogma.
All chapters start with VERY compelling REAL-WORLD cases that tantalizes you on learning the subject presented in the chapter. That makes me wanting to read for more. The writing is concise and clear. The author clearly knows his stuff.
Overall, it is a great intro book. Great for both self-learners and in-class students. Definitely a must buy for those who want to get acquainted in genetics.
For in depth contents: The book seems to be divided into four parts.
1. It starts with principles of classical (Mendelian) genetics with its applications on chapter 1. Then it goes into cell structures, functions, and reproduction with chapter 2-4. Followed by heredity principles of reproduction and how classical genetics fit into the analysis of hereditary traits. The next chapter discusses how classical genetics is not enough -- the author presents compelling cases like lethal alleles, incomplete penetration, and so forth in chapter 5-6. This limitation brings forth extensions and modifications on the basic principles, which is also discussed. The author also discusses other analyses to detect hereditary traits, such as pedigree analysis.
2. The second part is more toward modern genetics: How genes are not independently assorted as the Mendelian principles dictates. The concept of linkage, recombination, and consequently gene mapping are discussed in chapter 7. Followed by Chapter 8 is sort of intermezzo on bacterial and viral genetic systems.
3. The third part is the meat of the book:
Chapter 9 discusses what chromosomes are and how chromosomes abnormalities occur and what type of abnormalities.
Chapter 10 discusses about DNA and RNA structure, followed by chromosome structure in chapter 11.
Chapter 12 discusses DNA replication and recombination with detailed illustrations.
Chapter 13 discusses transcription process, followed by chapter 14 on RNA molecules and processing.
Chapter 15 discusses about genetic code and translation, followed by chapter 16: Gene expression.
Chapter 17 discusses gene mutations and DNA repair.
4. The fourth part is "elective" part:
Chapter 18: Recombinant DNA technolocy
Chapter 19: Genomics (Structural, Functional, and Comparative)
Chapter 20: Organelle DNA
Chapter 21: Various advanced topics
Chapter 22: Quantitative Genetics (very basic single locus regression as an intro)
Chapter 23: Population and Evolutionary Genetics
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15
Average rating: 3.5 of 5
Editorial Review:
By presenting evolutionary biology as an ongoing research effort, this best-seller aims to help readers think like scientists. The authors convey the excitement and logic of evolutionary science by introducing principles through recent and classical studies, and by emphasizing real-world applications. Features a new chapter on Phylogenomics and the Molecular Basis of Adaptation (Ch. 15). Offers an earlier presentation of Reconstructing Evolutionary Trees, reflecting the growing importance of this topic in the field. Includes the latest research and examples, giving students access to the most current developments in the field. Includes full-color photographs, diagrams and data-graphics throughout, developed by the author. Undergraduate courses in evolution
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14
Average rating: 3.5 of 5
Editorial Review:
This new edition of Animal Behavior has been completely rewritten with coverage of much recent work in animal behavior, resulting in a thoroughly up-to-date text. Notable is the inclusion, for the first time, of discussion questions embedded in the text itself, rather than appended to the end of each chapter. This format is designed to encourage students to reflect on the material they have just digested while also making it easier for instructors to promote a problem-solving approach to the subject in their classes. Another key organizational improvement is the consolidation of what had been two separate chapters on the genetic and environmental influences on development. By combining this material, the new Chapter 3 makes a stronger, more tightly argued case for the view that development is a truly interactive process codependent on both genetic and environmental factors.
Like previous editions, the book shows how evolutionary biologists analyze all aspects of behavior. It is distinguished by its balanced treatment of both the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary causes of behavior, and stresses the utility of evolutionary theory in unifying the different behavioral disciplines. Important concepts are explained by reference to key illustrative studies; examples are drawn evenly from studies of invertebrates and vertebrates, and are supported by nearly 1,300 reference citations. The writing style is clear and engaging: beginning students have no difficulty following the material, despite the strong conceptual orientation of the text.
Throughout, the author keeps the essence of the scientific enterprise clearly in front of the student reader. The text stresses the role of theory and hypothesis-testing in doing science. The book also emphasizes the tentative nature of scientific conclusions, and it identifies controversial and unresolved issues.
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12
Average rating: 4.0 of 5
Ok Genetics Book 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 8 people found this review helpful.
The questions in the back of each chapter are really helpful. Sometimes the chapter itself is a bit vague. The chapter describing bacteria genetics was done very poorly. Even my TA agreed that the way it's written is hard for beginners to understand.
very introductory 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Covers the topics very basically. Good for an undergrad class but not anything more.
Not my favorite book! 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
I found this book to be confusing and hard to decipher at times!! I sometimes had to read the paragraph several times to get it and then I would find later in the book somewhere, what I was confused about was explained somewhat better. This book caused me to waste a lot of time trying figure out things. Perhaps better organization would be helpful. I wouldn't recomend this book.
Gets on my nerves! 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.
We use this book as the main textbook in my Genetics class. Although I agree that the problems at the end of the chapters are quite useful, I think most of the time the book never gets to the point.
1.Its historical facts sometimes make more than half of the chapters and it really annoys me, specially if I need to learn the concepts for next day.
2. Sometimes concepts are explained with examples, examples which may not be clear for everyone and may not help get the general idea.
3. The order of the book is kind of mixed, some concepts which have already been mentioned in early chapters are not explained until some chapters later.
As famous as this book is for Genetics, I do not recommend it for students like me who need to understand the concepts and apply them next day at a lecture and who have had already a good background of cellular and molecular biology.
Known for its focus on concepts and problem-solving, this best-selling book has been extensively updated with new coverage of genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics and more. Concepts of Genetics, 9/e is written in a clear and accessible style for readers.
Introduction to Genetics, Mitosis and Meiosis, Mendelian Genetics, Extensions of Mendelian Ratios, Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes, Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages, Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes, Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Chromosome Number and Arrangement, Extranuclear Inheritance, DNA Structure and Analysis, DNA Replication and Recombination, DNA Organization in Chromosomes, Recombinant DNATechnology and Gene Cloning, The Genetic Code and Transcription, Translation and Proteins, Gene Mutation and DNA Repair, Regulation of Gene Expression in Prokaryotes, Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes, Developmental Genetics of Model Organisms, Cancer and Regulation of the Cell Cycle, Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics, Genome Dynamics: Transposons, Immunogenetics, and Eukaryotic Viruses, Genomic Analysis--Dissection of Gene Function, Applications and Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Quantitative Genetics and Multifactorial Traits, Genetics and Behavior, Population Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, Conservation Genetics. Intended for those interested in learning the basics of genetics
Your Inner Fish is my favorite sort of book--an intelligent, exhilarating, and compelling scientific adventure story, one which will change forever how you understand what it means to be human. The field of evolutionary biology is just beginning an exciting new age of discovery, and Neil Shubin's research expeditions around the world have redefined the way we now look at the origins of mammals, frogs, crocodiles, tetrapods, and sarcopterygian fish--and thus the way we look at the descent of humankind. One of Shubin's groundbreaking discoveries, only a year and a half ago, was the unearthing of a fish with elbows and a neck, a long-sought evolutionary "missing link" between creatures of the sea and land-dwellers. My own mother was a surgeon and a comparative anatomist, and she drummed it into me, and into all of her students, that our own anatomy is unintelligible without a knowledge of its evolutionary origins and precursors. The human body becomes infinitely fascinating with such knowledge, which Shubin provides here with grace and clarity. Your Inner Fish shows us how, like the fish with elbows, we carry the whole history of evolution within our own bodies, and how the human genome links us with the rest of life on earth. Shubin is not only a distinguished scientist, but a wonderfully lucid and elegant writer; he is an irrepressibly enthusiastic teacher whose humor and intelligence and spellbinding narrative make this book an absolute delight. Your Inner Fish is not only a great read; it marks the debut of a science writer of the first rank. (Photo © Elena Seibert) A Note from Author Neil Shubin This book grew out of an extraordinary circumstance in my life. On account of faculty departures, I ended up directing the human anatomy course at the University of Chicago medical school. Anatomy is the course during which nervous first-year medical students dissect human cadavers while learning the names and organization of most of the organs, holes, nerves, and vessels in the body. This is their grand entrance to the world of medicine, a formative experience on their path to becoming physicians. At first glance, you couldn't have imagined a worse candidate for the job of training the next generation of doctors: I'm a fish paleontologist. It turns out that being a paleontologist is a huge advantage in teaching human anatomy. Why? The best roadmaps to human bodies lie in the bodies of other animals. The simplest way to teach students the nerves in the human head is to show them the state of affairs in sharks. The easiest roadmap to their limbs lies in fish. Reptiles are a real help with the structure of the brain. The reason is that the bodies of these creatures are simpler versions of ours. During the summer of my second year leading the course, working in the Arctic, my colleagues and I discovered fossil fish that gave us powerful new insights into the invasion of land by fish over 375 million years ago. That discovery and my foray into teaching human anatomy led me to a profound connection. That connection became this book. 
