Molecular Cell Biology (842581)

Straight forward college textbook. Used for medical molecular biology course

I ordered a NEW book and what I got was obviously used. The binding was torn, covers were scratched, bent, and folded. None of this isn’t something I can’t live with but I think spending over $300 should ensure that I actually get the quality I ordered.

Comparing this text which I’ve only just begun reading, it is written in a style that is more comprehensive than my previous textbook experience with ‘Molecular Biology’ (4th ed.) by Burton Tropp. While Mr. Tropp’s text was a godsend with its focus on minute details, it often left me* struggling to retain that detail information when needing to recall it in order to follow later chapters. As a result I often had to reread previous chapters. Hopefully this text will not have the same effect on me. From just reading the beginning chapter it seems evident the organization of its presentation is meant to promote a comprehensive view in a structure that is friendlier to building a logical mental recall framework. I expect the essential details will follow in later chapters, hopefully without departing from the structure I find so helpful. In short, I find this textbook much more readable and easier to assimilate that Mr. Tropp’s excellent textbook. Prior to reading most of Mr. Tropp’s textbook I had completed a course in Molecular Biology through UCSD Division of Extended Studies. It ignited my interest in this subject. I am absolutely convinced that I have proceeded along the most advantageous course of self-study over these many years with the order of my exposures to the subject. I will try to update this review as my reading progress advances. *Caveat: My memory is not that strong.

I have the Kindle edition, and it's awesome! I'm not sure I'll live long enough to read it all, but it's MUCH more up-to-date and complete than the 5th edition of Molecular Biology of the Cell (2008), which I did read. Fascinating stuff! It's expensive, but it's 5,655 pages, so not really. And it's very readable (if done very slowly). The illustrations are very readable. OOPS! After chapter 2, the book is suddenly WAY over my head. It's nice to see how much biological science has progressed, but it really isn't very readable unless you are working on a PhD in this area and have the necessary background and brain-power. I don't. I was interested in how the mitochondria works, but now I can say it's also WAY over my head. But the 5 stars remain because it's so amazing. WAIT! I got knocked down by the mitochondria chapter. I now realize I should just keep reading the whole book and ignore the chemistry and exactly how everything get done in cells. I had read Feynman's Lectures on Physics this way (I ignored the math), and learned a lot of fascinating physics. There's a lot of fascinating cell biology in this book that a layman like me can learn (well, I couldn't pass a test on it, but my curiosity will be satisfied).

I am using the eBook and there is no way to switch from location to page number. I have been trying for an hour because my biology professor gives us assignments using page numbers, as do most others. I have to do some math to figure out which location I'm supposed to go to every single time I open the book. Incredibly inconvenient; purchase elsewhere.