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 Read more

Reviews (222)

Myth under the guise of 'science'- A warning from a professional logician
If you want to read a Classic of Western Mythology, look no further.This is specious philosophy under the guise of a supposed 'truth' about reality.The tragedy of all this is noticing other reviewers' comments about how the contents of this book negatively influenced their lives.Dawkins belief that we are machines created by our genes is a misleading view of reality, and when evolutionary 'science' catches up with evolutionary 'philosophy,' this view will come out false.This could only be taken seriously by those who are so blinded by the details that they can no longer think straight, so they are not able to figure out where the argument is wrong, let alone realize something IS wrong with it.
A Classic Work
The Selfish Gene is a seminal work in the field of evolutionary studies. This book is not a simple read, but it can definitely be read by the layman interested in the subject. But be warned, you'll have to concentrate. The primary purpose of this book, in my view, is not to explain or defend evolution, per se, but to explain and defend a particular aspect (or flavor) of evolutionary theory:that is, that the Gene is the primary "unit" of selection. This is not universally accepted among scientists, but Dawkins does an excellent job making the case. I, for one, am convinced. Other views include multiple levels of selection, such as the one championed by Stephen Gould. Gould argues that selection occurs at almost every level:gene, organism, species, genus, clade, etc. Gould likens DNA to "bookkeeping". The debate is interesting and worth pursuing; even Darwin allowed for special cases of "group selection" to account for social insects (ants, bees, etc.).
A classic, but nothing new here if you read the 2nd ed.
My only complaint is that, unlike the 2nd edition, which greatly expanded on the 1st edition, including some very useful and clarifying notes by Dawkin's addressing much of the controvery his first edition created, this aniversary edition does not include any new material, other than a new forward.If you are interested in reading this book, a used second edition copy is as good as this one (skip the first edition -- lacks the last two chapters and Dawkins' comentaries).
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Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Evolution    2. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Evolution    6. Life Sciences | Genetics    7. Popular science    8. Science / Genetics   

Reviews (6)

Clearly, an outstanding piece of work!
While Dr. Butler's book on DNA typing is clearly based on experience and profound understanding of the subject, I was most impressed with the readability.I was thrilled to find principles illustrated by examples from current events!Students of science will find this book refreshing.Well written (and edited)!

The Breakthrough in Forensics This Year! - A Must Have Book!
Dr. Butler takes a very complex subject and makes it easy enough for the novice to understand, yet is comprehensive enough for the professional research analyst.It is full of excellent research and observations on one of the most exciting and innovative technologies in DNA research that has been discovered in recent years.This book, without a doubt, will stand the test of time as being the authoritative reference on DNA forensic research.This book is packed with research and information that will enlighten you to the technological breakthroughs that are being made in forensic science.I have heard Dr. Butler speak and read several of his papers.He is without question the expert in DNA analysis with STR markers and this book has the distinction of being the best book ever written on the subject.Get this book, study it and find out why STR markers are the groundbreaking method for DNA analysis.If you are in any way involved with DNA research, you will find this book a desktop reference you will turn to again and again.

Marvelous work!
This book has opened my eyes to the vast world of DNA analysis.It is an invaluable resource to those who want to understand how criminal justice will advance into the new millennium.Butler's text will be the keystone of DNA analysis in the future.I look forward to revised editions as new things arise. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Forensic Science    3. Life Sciences - Biology - General    4. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Science / Genetics   

Reviews (2)

Two accounts by amazon.com
Dear Sirs,
Pathology And Genetics of Tumours of the Soft Tissues And Bones (World Health Organization Classification of Tumours S.)
This is a great book to review bone and soft tissue tumor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Pathology    5. Medical research    6. Oncology    7. Reference works   

Reviews (130)

Vital for our survival
After 20 years of researching a variety of potentially transformative subjects and theories, I believe this is the most hopeful and significant material I've yet encountered.I'm especially excited about what this could mean for society.
A cornerstone of mind/body understanding
Bruce Lipton's book sheds a great deal of light on the underlying mechanisms of the mind/body interface.He draws from his background as a cellular biologist, and the research of others, to present an accessible and fascinating description of the response of cells (and life) to the emotional environment.... The writing is clear and enjoyable.... An inspiring book.....
Perfect for those stuck in the old one-gene-one-protein paradigm
I have studied Biology in the 70s and kept current (although I work in different fields mainly). I was very happy to have the latest infos on gene expression and gene importance outside the nucleus spelled out for me.
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Subjects:  1. Cytology    2. Genetic psychology    3. Life Sciences - Biology - General    4. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    5. Molecular biology    6. Psychophysics    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics   

Reviews (2)

One of the best
This text is a vast improvement on the previous editions. Its improved vastly on both clarity and content. The figures themselves are excellent learning tools. Combined with uptodate material, it is in my opinion peerless. Its rivals would be lodish and alberts but in some areas complements them and often outshines them. The textbook exists online at ergito.com and you could subcribe for the duration of your course. The website gives you access to the complete material in the print text and you also save a ton of money by subscribing for a shorter period, that is if you find cash an issue. However, I wholeheartedly recommend the print edition as a trusted companion for those embarking on graduate studies.

A great book on biology
Dr. Lewin's work has helped me understand biology and improve my understanding of the sciences. The design and figures in Genes are wonderfully clear, as is the general body of the text.
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Subjects:  1. Cell Physiology    2. DNA    3. Genes    4. Genetics    5. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    6. Life Sciences - Biophysics    7. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    8. Proteins    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. physiology    12. Science / Biophysics   

Reviews (5)

Am Studying for the Biochemistry GRE - This book is golden
I got this book to assist for my prep for the Biochemistry GRE - I know a lot about Biology.So this is a great Book - First, It is very readable - I was surprised I was not able to put it down and knocked off 100 pages in record time.Besided that - it is enjoyable and not dull and boring - Second, The great experiments are given and insight into the science reasoning behind them also. This book makes the discover of genetics, DNA, RNA and protein building come alive. Third, this book is very current with research and cites the papers and journals where the important biology, Genetic, molecular & cell biology was published.That alone would save you the time to research and site these for your own research.Lastly, the pictures and recollections of the experimenters and "who knew who" are a total hoot.

Great Book
This book is an awesome teaching guide but the real prize goes to the CD and animations. Where a subject might be a bit hazy in the text, the flash animations on the CD are clear and concise.

Good book
Some books are just very well written-this is one of them!
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Subjects:  1. Genetics    2. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    3. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    4. Molecular Biology    5. Molecular genetics    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Science / Molecular Biology    9. Software engineering   

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 (4)

Genetics: From Genes to Genomes
Great figures to go with the text. Not a quick read, but it is a great genetics resource.

Genetics:From Genes to Genomes
I found this book extremely verbose and unorganized.It would serve as a great reference book for a lab researcher or grad student.But it's way too technical and dense for an introductory genetics class.The authors do a poor job presenting the material in a comprehensible way to an undergraduate genetics student.Not recommended.

Great general Genetics textbook
I think this is a great text book for General Genetics class! In fact, this is the text we have been using at UC Berkeley.
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Subjects:  1. Genetics    2. Life Sciences - Evolution    3. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Biology, Life Sciences    7. Science / Genetics   

Reviews (1)

A Primer of Evolutionary Theory for Beginners
Richard Dawkins wrote a very enjoyable book titled The Ancestors Tale.It traces our evolution backwards, from humans, through apes and monkeys and so on, back to simple one-celled organisms.It tells the who of evolution: which species were descended from which.The Making of the Fittest tells the how and why: how variations appear in organisms and why they survive, or don't.This is the story of natural selection.Darwin told the story, but a lot more has been learned since then, especially in recent decades, and Sean B. Carroll has been one of the discoverers.But, unlike many researchers, he can write a readable book for beginners.
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Subjects:  1. DNA    2. Evolution (Biology)    3. Life Sciences - Evolution    4. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Evolution    8. Popular science    9. Science / Evolution   

Reviews (5)

Best Plant Biol. book out there
I am a PhD candidate in Plant Sciences and I work with both applied and basic researchers who work on all aspects of plant biology/agriculture etc.Everyone I work with and myself included feel that this is the best single plant biology text. It is a few years old now so some of the mol. biology will be outdated, and a couple of examples have since been proven to be different than described in the book, but this is minor. This is for the adv. undergrad or graduate student and if you are a graduate student in plant biology you should have this book-it is very expensive, but nearly every post-doc/grad student I know has a copy. Get the hardcover it will hold up better.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants
Mr. !!! Explanations not very comprehensive
The text covers a wide variety of plant molecular biology which is convienent. However the explanations are often very vague and do not connect with each other. When reading a paragraph you are often left with unanswered questions and the next paragraph may not connect with the previous paragraph at all. Not at all recommended for the beginner or undergraduate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Botany    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Genetics (non-medical)    5. Plant physiology    6. Science / Botany   

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 (1)

My Favorite Book
It is the best book that exists for consultation on genetic syndromic hearing loss, since in very organized form it treats the audiologic aspectsperfectly and genetic ofthese syndromes.It is my favorite book and I recommend it to you ifyou are geneticist or audiologist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abnormalities, Multiple    2. Audiology & Speech Pathology    3. Deafness    4. Genetic aspects    5. Genetics    6. Hearing Disorders    7. Medical    8. Medical / Nursing    9. Otolaryngology    10. Audiology & otology    11. Medical / Otorhinolaryngology    12. Medical genetics    13. Medicine | Otolaryngology & Audiology   

Reviews (10)

Not the best genetics book out there
This book is ok, but you need a decent understanding of genetics to follow many of the chapters. The authors are very effective at overcomplicating very straight forward concepts, which is frustrating if you're simply trying to review, and even worse if you're trying to learn the info for the first time. Definitely NOT for the genetics beginner. I think you can get a better genetics book for the money.
Get up to speed fast by reading this book
Though I have been interested in molecular genetics for decades, I have been out-of-touch with the excitement in genetics that is percolating out of the huge amount of data coming from various genome sequencing projects.Want to know why there is so much excitement?Then I suggest you read this book.
One of the best and most comprehensive books available on the subject
This book offers an up-to-date view of molecular genetics and the functional laboratroy tools and theories used to address various inherited disorders. The language is very approachable and the book is wonderfully cross-referenced. New developments in various computational fields are addressed and key websites are given for data analysis so that the interested reader can familiarize himself with these tools. I found this book very helpful for both an introduction and subsequent in depth analysis of various topics. The referenced articles are seminal papers and are a wonderful addition to yoour library. Highly recommended and essential for beginners in health professions, graduate students, and biomedical researchers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Genetics    2. Human molecular genetics    3. Life Sciences - Biology - Molecular Biology    4. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    5. Medical    6. Microbiology    7. Science    8. Genetics (non-medical)    9. Human biology & related topics    10. Medical / Genetics    11. Medical genetics    12. Molecular biology   

Reviews (1)

1-3 weeks??
This book has been on backorder FOREVER, since march; first "1 to 3 weeks" then 10 to 15 days, and now back to 1 to 3 weeks"!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Medical    3. Dermatology    4. Medical genetics    5. Oncology    6. Pathology   

Reviews (41)

enough to fire your enthusiasm
I read this book as a new science teacher, and it made me realise that all research and teaching can be enlivened by the characters that populate the scientific world. It certainly is not just for academics.I recommend this to everybody - I loved every page.Both Watson and Crick were insufferably arrogant, loud, ostentatious, obnoxious - but it allows the reader to see that enthusiasm and shear pushiness gets places.One sees the boundries set in academic research, and understands also the content of their work.A MUST read.As relevent today as in 1968.

a favorite.
this is easily one of my favorite books. some dislike it for watson's dramatization of certain social elements in the story, and for the way in which crick and watson made their discovery. but i think the book should be appreciated as a text which makes science more accessible to the general public. and perhaps most impressive is how watson does manage to include some science in a way which i think will not distract the lay reader, or bore him.

take it with a grain of salt
While James Watson is not on the list of authors I'd generally recommend reading, this book is an exception.Those interested in the history of molecular biology should definitely read this book.Given the nature of the topic, it is light and enjoyable reading.Certainly this account is biased to some extent, which makes it necessary to read other books on the topic as well.Further reading on Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin, among other personalities mentioned in the Double Helix, are highly recommended, and necessary for fair balance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dna (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)    2. General    3. History    4. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Genetics (non-medical)    8. History of science    9. Popular science    10. Science / Genetics   

Reviews (20)

more challenging than trying to unravel the human genome.
I used this book to teach a bioinformatics course in a foreign language because it was only one of two available in both english and chinese.I'm not sure it wouldn't have been less confusing to simply use a english textbook and let the students translate the text for themselves.To give the author credit, he has compiled an enormous quantity of information and made it available in a single location and that is no mean feat.At the very least, it is a valuable starting point to find both useful references to better explanations and software appropriate to almost any analysis you might want to do.On the downside, the prose is a tangled mess and is beyond comprehension in places.there are points where, even though i understand the underlying theories used throughout the book, i still couldn't figure out some of the examples used to illustrate particular methods.For example, there are some figures which have captions which run for a page and a half.Finally, in the majority of cases, the figures are taken directly from key papers on each topic, and associated explanations consist of sentences copied verbatim from the text. I may be doing the author a gross injustice here, but in many of the explanations, i was left with the same impression i get when reading students papers when they have copied something out of a textbook, without really understanding what is going on.Having said all of the above, i would still recommend taking a look at this book, but be ready to access the excellent list of references if you want a more insightful understanding of many of the methods described throughout.

Leaves something to be desired
I took Dr. Mount's class at the U. or Arizona, and he's a really smart guy, but the man can't explain anything. It's not just his book either; his lectures are just as cryptic. I went to class thinking I understood the concepts, but then I got totally confused when he lectured. I would try to clarify things with the book, and again, I'd get even more confused. Someone who reviewed this book earlier said that he tends to use 10 words where he should use 1; I couldn't agree more. The figures in this book also need a major overhaul, and he should definitely include more examples of the many complex concepts he talks about. While I have no doubt that there is plenty of useful information in there, getting anything out of it is a chore. I would only recommend this book to someone who already had a strong knowledge of bioinformatics concepts.

Bioinformatics: Sequence and Genome Analysis by David W. Mount [Paperback]
Book is a good reference textbook for Bioinformatics.Of course the material covered is technical and dense, but that is unavoidable for the subject matter that the book covers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amino acid sequence    2. Bioinformatics    3. Data processing    4. Genetics    5. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    6. Nucleotide sequence    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Genetics (non-medical)   

Reviews (3)

Schaum's Outline of Genetics
It is very informative and a great reference for the study of genetics and related studies.
best genetics text available
The Stansfield/Elrod outline remains as comprehensive as any of the intro to genetics textbooks currently available.At about 10-15% the cost of the "standard" texts, this outline delivers the same material with more clarity, and often more accuracy.The concepts of classical genetics, which often prove more challenging for students than molecular aspects, are covered admirably in this book.While those who enjoy colorful illustration and pastel text boxes might be disappointed, the b&w figures in this book are extremely clear, logical and most importantly helpful towards learning the material.No solution manual or supplemental CD-ROM is required.Highly recommended as a reference, or as a text for general genetics classes.

real bargain
Comparable in scope, clarity, completeness, and accuracy to any of the very expensive general genetics texts currently available.And with this one there's nothing else to buy...no study guides, solution manuals, cd's or supplemental websites are required.The book stands alone, and does so for less than half the price of the solution manual for most texts.Particularly strong is the coverage of classical genetics, which can often be more difficult to grasp than the more modern "molecular" concepts of the science.Highly recommended for self-study, as a reference, or as a supplement to any genetics textbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Genetics    2. Life Sciences - Biology - General    3. Problems, exercises, etc    4. Study & Teaching    5. Study Aids    6. Study Guides    7. Genetic engineering    8. Genetics (non-medical)    9. Medical / Genetics   

Reviews (142)

Great book for truth seekers!
This book is a great introduction to some of the major scientific challenges to the theory of Darwinian Evolution.
Does Evolution Rest Upon Scientific Evidence or a Philosophy of Naturalism?
Darwin on Trial was responsible for alerting many among the public and in the scientific community to the deficiencies of Darwinism. UC Berkeley law professor Phillip E. Johnson applies his skills as an analyzer of evidence to ask if Darwin's theory holds up to scrutiny.
Interesting presentation of creationist viewpoint
Were a plumber or an an auto mechanic to look for supernatural causes behind a pipe clog or engine problem, you might think his skills questionable.But according to this book, if a biologist is not willing to accept supernatural causes for the origin of species, he is imposing anti-religious views on the rest of us.As with most conservative thinkers, Johnson seems intent on splitting the country into two halves.Those who think like him are good and believe in God, those who do not are atheists who believe in evolution.While this has worked well for conservatives on political issues, it is less effective in this case since it is rather clear that many if not most of the scientists supporting evolution are Christians, not atheists as Johnson insists.It is one of many lapses in this poorly written and overrated book.His contention that the US is a Christian country which at best tolerates other religious viewpoints suggests that he looks on the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion as simply a suggestion.It also has nothing to do with evolutionary theory and everything to do with the author's own prejudices.Johnson feels that any unexplained gap in evolution supports the theory of an intelligent designer by default.For Johnson, if the theory of evolution cannot shed like on everything instantly, it sheds light on nothing.The author feels that as a Christian it is inappropriate to tolerate any suggestion of a natural explanation for creation of the universe, creation of the earth, or the creation of man.Johnson's view seems to be that certain things related to Christian theology should be off limits to ANY sort of scientific examination.In spite of the failings of the author, the publisher has presented the book well.The physical quality is quite good and belies the sloppiness of the writing.I am not sure if this is the best place to get an understanding of the thinking behind the anti-evolution movement but I think it is a good place to start.I suspect the muddled and misguided presentation of the author is endemic to this type of book.It is also an outgrowth of the book's basic conceit, that a lawyer can provide objective insights into science.In fact, scientists may pretend to objectivity but lawyers specialize in advocacy and this book presents a lawyer at his worst.He misreads evolutionary theory as meaningless.In fact it provides a predictive model.Organisms are the sum total of both ancestral characteristics and those variations which permit the organism to function and survive within its environment. It is a fundamental point that gives the theory its strength, something which Johnson either does not understand or choses to ignore.Unfortunately, there is no voice to correct him.If Johnson proves anything, it is that when he is permitted to provide the defense, he can win any prosecution.Putting a dead man on trial with no voice raised in his defense: this must be an attorney's dream come true. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Evolution (Biology)    2. Life Sciences - Evolution    3. Philosophy    4. Religion    5. Science    6. Evolution    7. Philosophy of religion   

Reviews (2)

Horrible Book
Absolutely horrible book. Chapters are written very poorly. They don't follow a pattern, but if I had to say there were one it would be tell you the big picture first so you have no idea what they're talking about then go into detail about each of the units and then after you've read the whole chapter you find it useful to reread the beginning again because you now know what the authors are talking about. Inconsistent use of vocabulary as well, they talk in colloquial terms and then all of the sudden use the word 'nascent' for instance, then you never see the word again. Nothing wrong with such things but the lack of consistency in the book makes it extremely poor in my opinion. Very poorly written, the information is there but organization is pathetic

BEAUTIFUL DESCRIPTION ABOUT GENES AND GENOMES ! SUPERB
GOOD PICTURE REPRESENTATION WITH EXCELLENT NOTES AND LOTS OF EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT GENE AND GENOMES . PROBLEMS HAVE SOME ERRORS ITS LITTLE CONFUSING BUT OVERALL A FABALOUS TEXT BOOK OF GENETICS. GOOD FOR STANDARD EXAM PREPARATIONS AND ALSO FOR UNDERGRAD/GRAD STUDENTS . ALL THE BEST CHECK FOR FOR MINNOR ERRORS IN THE TEXT .... TAKE THE BEST OUT OF IT .....
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Genetics    3. Life Sciences - Evolution    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Genetics (non-medical)   

Subjects:  1. Genetics    2. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Medical genetics    6. Science / Genetics