Reviews (43)

hands down, this behemoth deserves 5 stars
Yes, 1616 pages and 2 inches thick of madness can be intimidating, but this book is sheer awesomeness in lots of ways. Whether you are self-taught, actually taking the class, or just want a desk reference for cell bio, this is definitely the one to get.
The Canonical Work
This is a beautifully written textbook that presents the canonical version of what is currently known about cellular biology at the molecular level.The illustrations are clear and the text is easy to follow.The only shortcoming of the book is that, necessarily, it stays above the messy details in order to maintain clarity.The result, inevitably, is that some areas are glossed over (transcription activation is one example, but there are many others) and some areas appear to be understood when in reality there is a great deal of disagreement (for example, gene splicing).But these omissions are appropriate because the intention of the book is to provide an overview, not a specialist in-depth examination of every topic.This is a great primer for college students or educated people wanting to know just a little more detail about how life works.
Simply love it---a plethora of information
This book is a wonderful source of knowledge for anyone who is interested in cell biology; or if you are studying it--like myself.I give a 100% gaurantee that if you purchase this book you will be satisfied. I just finished reading the chapter on pathogens; wow so much information - it's truly ubelievable. That is what else I love about this book: it can be read sectionally. All one has to do is read the first three chapters to establish a foundation of the basic knowledge; you can skip that step all together if you know your stuff. Simply put: buy this book. Also, I forgot to mention that it includes a beautifully designed CD-ROM; it has animations that suppliment what you learned and more--not your average CD extra. The reason this review is so short and concise is because the other one I wrote didn't get saved--that was the long one with detail. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cells    2. Cytology    3. General    4. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    5. Life Sciences - Cytology    6. Molecular Biology    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Cellular biology    10. Science / Biotechnology   

Reviews (20)

Fine book, for whatever it matters
The book is decent. To be honest though, reviewing textbooks is kind of funny. Does it matter what I say? I suppose if you're ordering this book because you honestly just have a burning desire to learn about essential cell biology, well... the more power to you. You'll learn it just fine from this book. If you're just buying the book because it's the required text for your college class (like I expect), well yeah, doesn't really matter what I say, does it?

Essentials grounded!!
I feel this is a very good textbook for molecular biology rookies as well as for pros wanting to revive their concepts ... Molecular Biology of the Cell could serve as an excellent companion book or rather reference book for this textbook ... the cd provided along with theEssential Cell Biology book is a great tool to understand the way things work ... in short, it is a must book for mol bio students to know what they are doing and to do things better:) It could also serve as a great book for biomedical engineers to grasp more of biology and engineer the concepts better. The book is definitely more simplified (kinda an abridged version) and easier to understand than "Molecular Biology of the Cell". Although, the size of the latter makes it look more formidable for beginners, I must add it is indeed a great reference book for researchers!

Pretty Good and Basic
This text is actually really good for beginners or as a refresher.Full of info and very detailed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biochemistry    2. Cytology    3. Life Sciences - Biology - Microbiology    4. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    5. Life Sciences - Cytology    6. Molecular biology    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Biology, Life Sciences    10. Science / Microbiology   

Reviews (1)

excellent bookfor doctors
really wonderful book on hematolog ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Medical Assistants    2. Blood    3. Cytology    4. Diseases    5. Hematologic Diseases    6. Hematology    7. Immunology    8. Internal Medicine    9. Life Sciences - Cytology    10. Medical    11. Medical / Nursing    12. Medical Hematology    13. Haematology    14. Medical / Hematology   

Reviews (6)

Excellent book!!
This is one of the most complete and easy-to-read book ever! I have studied with Gerald Karp books since I was an undergraduate student (Biochemistry, and Karp book was always by my side, very useful). This book explain the cellular metabolism, structures (cytoskeleton, microtubules, filaments,genes,relations between genes and proteins, DNA repair, cell cycle, cell signalling, lot of concepts that are not easy to understand at first, Karp does it very simple. You will love this book. I can strongly recommend it. Another excellent book I can recommend is Molecular Biology of the CELL by Bruce Alberts....is excellent! and before you take an exam, I will suggest the "Outline of Molecular and Cell Biology" by the Schaum's series. Well, that's it for now, I wish you the best in your career (I have been there, I know how hard it can be and choose the proper books!) and always remember, keep working and practicing, because practice make the Master!! :)
Great job
The book was in great condition.Seller let me know that the book was in the mail which was nice.

Concise story of cell biology
Another introductory book in the biology of the cell. I would say that the book is divided into mainly two sections, Cell structure and DANA, DANA replications etc. Second part takes almost two thirds of the book. I would prefer to read other Gene books when it comes to that point but for the cell structure, it is not bad. Some colored pictures, computer animations makes it easy to visualize things. Sections called "experimental pathways" scattered throughout the text takes you into current issues related to the subject. They are also quite sophisticated issues rather than practical problems. I think this book requires considerable guidance when read alone. I could not call this book as self sufficient or easy to read one compared to books by Alberts or Baltimore. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cytology    2. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    3. Life Sciences - Cytology    4. Molecular Biology    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Biology, Life Sciences    8. Science / Cytology   

Subjects:  1. Genetics    2. Life Sciences - Biology - Developmental Biology    3. Life Sciences - Cytology    4. Life Sciences - Ecology    5. Life Sciences - Evolution    6. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    7. Medical    8. Science    9. Evolution    10. Genetics (non-medical)    11. Science / Developmental Biology   

Reviews (54)

what you want is the fourth edition
I'm sure this book was great in the 90s, but this is the 21st century, when you can buy the fourth edition.There has been a ton of advancement between 1994 and 2002.

This is a GREAT textbook
This book made studying and preparing for tests easy and enjoyable. Highly recommended, especially for those who are going to take the GRE Subject test. At later stages of your career, textbooks even the greatest ones will be largely irrelevant, as you will have to search for up-to-date articles and reviews.

A perfect introduction to the subject
I will say that I had no trouble in reading and understanding this book. All subjects are nicely elaborated and picturized with detailed schematics or with electron microscopy pictures. Scanning electron pictures are the best but very minimal.All basic concepts are covered structure of cell, protein synthesis, DANA , cell structures,nerve cells, atp, etc. You may want to skip better books when it comes to biochemistry or developmental biology but this book gives smooth introduction all subjects and than you make your direction. Compared to book written by Karp, I prefer this one for wider coverage but Karp has some sections called "experimental pathways" that open your vision to latest developments. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cells    2. Cytology    3. General    4. Life Sciences - Biology - General    5. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    6. Life Sciences - Cytology    7. Molecular Biology    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Cellular biology    11. Science / Biology   

Reviews (40)

review on STUDY GUIDE
after being utterly discusted with this poor excuse of a study guide, i thought i would read some horrible reviews on the guide to make me feel better. to my dismay, people can't read and they only posted reviews for the text book, which is actually good but those reviews should be posted elsewhere.
Inferior in every way
The Alberts text (Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fourth Edition) is superior to this text in every way. It is clearer, more precise, and contains more information. This one manages to make simple concepts become quite difficult.

Excellent but starting to get outdated
Excellent.Hands down the best book out there for cell biology.Gives a thorough look at the exciting unraveling of the cell.Figures are exceptional.However, being now ~3 years old and due to the intense output and growth of scientific literature this book is starting to get outdated.There have been several advances in a number of transport systems (i.e. Nuclear transport and regulation of gene expression).A new edition in the next year or so would hopefully address these issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Science    2. Molecular biology    3. Life Sciences - Cytology    4. Cytology    5. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    6. Cellular biology    7. Genetics (non-medical)    8. Science/Mathematics   

Reviews (3)

Great companion to the Cell book...
I use the problems approach book in my doctoral studies, and it has been great.I recommend this book if your exams from the Cell book are more problems and less memorization of mechanisms.The biochemical problems are varied and the answers in the back are simple to understand.This book get's 4 stars because the even-numbered problems's answers are not available to you.Our class does not use the problems approach book, and it is never mentioned that you will not get all the answers... I feel like I got half of money's worth.Still a good investment though.

The best book you'll find on this subject
I'm currently a medical student and I have used this book for for over 4 years (since college). While I could write a lengthy review to sing its praises, its simpler for me to put it as follows. I have churned through dozens of textbooks and this one is by far the very best I have ever seen.
electrtonic version??
is there a electronic version like pdf format in somewhere ??Read more

Subjects:  1. Cytology    2. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    3. Life Sciences - Cytology    4. Molecular biology    5. Problems, exercises, etc    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Cellular biology    9. Science / Biotechnology   

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - General    2. Life Sciences - Cytology    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

Reviews (6)

Destined to become an Oprah Book Club selection
Some books have opening sentences that grab you in an instant. "Call me Ishmael." "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." And now, Hille joins the list of authors to reach out and grab us, with the awe-inspiring "Ion channels are macromolecular pores in cell membranes."
Keeps getting better with each Edition
This book is a must-have for anyone working with excitable cells, be they experimentalists or modelers. It's a great reference book; everything is clearly indexed and almost compulsively cited. I've been using this book since its first edition, and it just keeps getting better each time.

Rara avis
This classic deserves all the praise it gets. It is an excellent introduction to the molecular biology of channels, told with an eye to history as well as science. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cell membranes    2. Ion channels    3. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Muscle cells    6. Neurons    7. Neuroscience    8. Reference    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Cellular biology   

Reviews (7)

Save on Textbook
I purchased this book with a description of like new.I would say this is new.The previous person who used this did not even break in the binder.This is an excellent reference book,I have enjoyed reading the text up to this point.

Best Basic Book on Tisssue Culture
For many years Freshney's Culture of Animal Cells has been the gold standard of tissue culture reference books.This new edition adds and updates many techniques and continues to be the best book in its area.I use it extensively both for my own research and in teaching classes on tissue culture.

The best book on cell culture
Freshney's Culture of Animal Cells is a great book. It is writen on an easy style, it is concise and complete at the same time and it does teach you all the basics (and a little bit more) of cell culture. When I was doing my masters I didn't have a lot of help with my cell culture experiments and this book was fundamental for my research. The book covers everything, starting from the biology of cultured cells, equipments, design of the lab and asseptic technique and going all the way to primary culture, cloning and selection, cell separation, characterization, differentiation and more. The book (hard cover) is pretty resistant and it easily stands going to the bench (where you surely will be using it a lot). If you are thinking about spending money on a book about cell culture techniques this is the book! Don't think twice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal Cell Biotechnology    2. Biotechnology    3. Cell Culture    4. Laboratory manuals    5. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    6. Life Sciences - Cytology    7. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Tissue culture    11. Biology, Life Sciences    12. Chemistry    13. Science / Cytology   

Reviews (7)

Excellent Book for Neuroscience
Neuroscience is generally considered a very dry area of research where people do research for years together to discover some meager facts. Still, even to a person who is averse to Neuroscience, this book might seem appealing. This speaks about the lucid, simple way of explanation in this book. This book is well written and explains the basics of Neuroscience better than any other giant books in market. Buy this book irrespective of your discipline to know the intricacies of Human Brain and have a pleasant reading.

A great introductory book on neuroscience
I am a physics graduate student who happen to become interested in neuroscience. I had been searching for an introductory book when I stumbled upon this one. Although I am only half-way through the book right now, I could already tell that it is exactly what a newcomer to this field would need. With the terminology clearly defined, the book gives a very concise, clear, and logic description on the fundamentals. It further keeps one's interest high by relating the fundamental knowledges to everyday experiences. What I like most about this book is that it does not shy away from pointing out what is not yet known. With the last chapter devoted to "open questions", it presents the real questions to be answered. This book is really perfect. Highly recommended.

Clear, concise, helpful text for a beginning grad student!
I am a first year graduate student "accidentally" entering the field of neuroscience.I needed a basic text to help me "catch up".This book has been wonderful!The authors' have a great writing style- easy to read.More importantly, the authors are expert at choosing and presenting important, basic aspects of neurobiology to inexperienced neuroscientists without bogging the reader down with unnecessary and confusing detail.In particular, the authors thoroughly discuss ion channels and their role in neuronal communication, presenting electrophysiology as a valuable tool for studying these channels.This text was "just right" for me.However, if you are an advanced "neuroscientist", this text might be a bit on the "simple" side. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Cytology    3. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    4. Life Sciences - Cytology    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Neurology - General    7. Neurons    8. Neurophysiology    9. Neuroscience    10. Science    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    13. Neurosciences   

Reviews (7)

The pictures are its only saving grace
I used this text for pre-med biology course-- I was simulataneously taking Biochemistry as well, but more on that later.
Good Cell Book for those who need to know biochem
I think the recent reviews of this book have been unfair.I have looked at the beginning chapters of this recent (6th)revision and I think the book has remained a great quality Cell Biology book.As stated in other reviews, the book is detailed, but most good schools will require you to know at least the level of detail presented in this book and likely more.I found this book to be an excellent preparation for more advanced classes in Cell Biology (which used Alberts) and Biochemistry.The book is organized to make sure the students have the underlying knowledge to successfully understand more complex concepts later.The only major drawback of this book is that Alberts exists and the eloquence and sophistication in Alberts is lacking in Becker's World of the Cell.That said, I still recommend this book for people needing to know and understand all the basics of Cell biology/biochemistry.

Very confusion and tough to read
I'm a BIO major and this book must be the worst text I've been required to read. Seems to be a giant collection of facts, somewhat organized into chapters and extremely difficult to read and follow. If you have to read this text, be sure that your instructor explains it clearly or else you're screwed! I'd give it a 1/2 star but 1 is the lowest this system allows. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cytology    2. Life Sciences - Biology - General    3. Life Sciences - Cytology    4. Molecular biology    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Cellular biology    8. Science / Molecular Biology   

Reviews (1)

The first of its kind
I'm giving this book a high rating because it fills a niche for which no other text exists: An absolute beginner's guide to patch-clamping. Yes, you could read Neher & Sakmann's hefty "Single Channel Recording" but, for the complete novice patch-clamper, it's a bit overwhelming.Read more

Subjects:  1. Electrophysiology    2. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    3. Life Sciences - Biochemistry    4. Life Sciences - Cytology    5. Patch-clamp techniques (Electr    6. Patch-clamp techniques (Electrophysiology)    7. Research & Methodology    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Cellular biology    11. Science / Biochemistry   

Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Genetics    3. Life Sciences - Biology - General    4. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Cellular biology    8. Conservation of the environment    9. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (6)

Sam sing wong!
Let's see. The first 3 reviews all have perfect/near perfect scores, and all praise the book, and all 3 spell USMLE as USLME! Excellent book for histology class and USLME
I used this book and the following which is also on Amazon.com: Must buy for USLME
I found the information in this book pretty on target for the topics that are needed for the histology portion USLME 1.This book is a very good reference because it helped me summarize the info better in a much shorter fashion than just going back to a long textbook.If you really want to know the type of questions asked on the USLME step 1, I highly recommend the following that is also on amazon.Histology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers (ISBN: 0971999686) This two study guides are must buys.There are both worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anatomy    2. Cytology    3. Histology    4. Life Sciences - Cytology    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Microbiology    7. Outlines    8. Outlines, syllabi, etc    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Test Preparation & Review    12. Cellular biology   

Subjects:  1. Hematology    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Oncology    5. Pathology    6. Haematology    7. Medical / Hematology   

Reviews (39)

A Great Book!
I loved "Lives of a Cell". It's not your ordinary biology textbook; the author's love for the world around him comes out in every page. He uses metaphor to describe the different parts and functions of the cell. For example, he compares the cell to a room, and then illustrates the different sizes of the components of the cell by comparing it to furniture.
I wasn't intrigued..
Though I understand other reviewers' opinions of this book, and I agree that some of the book's ideas were interesting, The Lives of a Cell just didn't appeal to me. I have always loved science, but not in the way this book displayed it. I got extremely bored with this book and found myself skimming chapters. Lewis Thomas seemed like he was trying to sound too intelligent while getting his opinion across, where a simple explanation would have been much more powerful. Some may like this book, but I think there are much better reads out there.

A Classic of Science Reading From 1974

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Subjects:  1. Addresses, essays, lectures    2. Biology    3. Essays    4. Life Sciences - Biology - General    5. Philosophy    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Cellular biology    9. Science / Cytology   

Subjects:  1. Gastroenterology    2. Gastrointestinal Tract    3. Gastrointestinal system    4. Immunology    5. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    6. Life Sciences - Cytology    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Physiology    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Science / Physiology   

Subjects:  1. Endocrinology & Metabolism    2. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    3. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    4. Medical    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Ovaries    7. Ovary    8. Pathophysiology    9. Physiology    10. Gynaecology & obstetrics    11. Science / Physiology