Biochemistry (Lippincott's Illustrated Review) 5th Edition

Lippincott's is very well-written--the author knows when students need an example, when a concept is simple enough to gloss over, and how to zoom in from a big picture to the fine details. I love the organization, the chapter summaries, and the study questions at the end of each chapter. I'm a medical student with limited time, and readings from this text book are high-yield. I bought the new edition because it wouldn't have been that much more expensive than a used 4th edition, and the extra $15 was worth being on the same page as my professors.I've heard from classmates and read in reviews that the changes made in the 5th addition are quite paltry compared to what one would expect in an update. I could see that--this work provides a big-picture view (relative to graduate level) of biochem, and the overarching themes don't change in a significant way over two years. Some of my professors pointed out 'sexy new changes' to biochem dogma that are on the way which are perhaps not worth an updated version when a used 4th edition is a fraction of the price (e.g., an eicosanoid that has no enzyme to generate it from a precursor arachidonic acid was thought to be formed by a unique pathway, but now it seems that it dehydrogenates spontaneously from another eicosanoid).In short, if you're in doubt whether or not to buy Lippincott's, buy it. If you don't know which edition to buy, if the extra money is worth the convenience of not having to flip through pages to find the diagram your professors are talking about, go for the fifth, but if not, settle for a 4th.

I used this book to supplement my General Biochemistry text, Voet, during my post-baccalaureate year (the course is structured identically to an undergraduate general biochem course). General Biochem books are very dense and it's easy to get bogged down in that detail. This book was amazing in that it highlighted all of the important concepts from the text and lectures. It was as if someone took a highlighter, went through the main text, and said "know this, this, this...here it is in English." That was a very casual description, the course is difficult, and this book explained concepts more effectively than the main text did. I used it in addition, though, so don't completely substitute one for the other. It hits the main points of biochem in just the right amount of detail, In addition, having used this course in undergrad/post-bacc, you will have had a pass through it and will be familiar with it before going into your grad/med-school courses, so you'll already be familiar with the material. You'll recognize the information that you don't need to know and can easily skip it. Get this book, your grade will love you for it. One last detail, the examples used in the book are usually the same ones that professors like to use in class, ex. What can you use to treat a patient who comes in with methanol poisoning? Why? (section on enzyme inhibition).

Delivery o.k. Condition: like new.Didn't realize it was such a large volume--the seller's web display was puny.I was hoping for a pocket-size volume.And I wasn't expecting an advanced Biochemistry 301 course.The book is well illustrated. And the material is organized amazingly well.I just hope I can understand it some day.

In graduate school I used the 2nd edition (1994) as a reference for courses in biochemistry and nutritional biochemsitry. Currently working in the nutrition field, I've purchased subsequent editions to make sure I had the latest information on the subject. The authors always do an excellent job sticking to the most important concepts as well as incorporating illustrations and diagrams of complex biochemical pathways. This book should be in the library of anyone interested in the subject of biochemistry, as well as students in the chemical and biological sciences, med school, dental school.... and other healthcare professionals, particularly those requiring a scaled-down version of more complex textbooks in biochemistry for board exam prep. This 5th edition is the best Lippincott's has produced to date.

I will swear by this book! I majored in Microbiology and continued on to optometry school, but I struggled with Biochem throughout my education. When faced with a very fast-paced review course in optometry school, I purchased Lippincott's Biochem after failing our first quiz (I am actually a 4.0 student). This book helped me understand and rememeber the essentials of metabolism that I never learned well in undergrad. I ended up with an A and loaned the book to several struggling classmates, who performed much better on the final after taking my advice.

When you see the title 'Illustrated...', you expect sth less lengthy, less wordy or even sth more visual. Well, I am not sure how much value this book has as a 'TEXT BOOK' since I am NOT using it anymore, but, if you are planning to use this book as a Bio chem review book for your step 1 or any other similar exam (including your class exam), think again. This is a text book which is just a bit thinner. I've jsut decided to use the Lange Falshcards instead. I am gonna use this 'TEXT' as my reference only. Still not worth the price. If I had just needed the reference I could've just used online library or other reliable internet resouce.

I bought this book after it was highly recommended to me for my medical school course (Molecular and Cellular Basis of Medicine). It has certainly been an invaluable resource and gives you just what you need to know. This is not a reference book, or even a textbook. It's a highly condensed, high-yield book for learning what's relevant and important. If you're a visual learner, this book contains quality diagrams that illustrate the material very well. I highly recommend this book!