Customer Reviews

Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, 2e

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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I was required to buy this book for my 3rd year immunology course, but had heard great things about Janeways Immunobiology so bought that as well. Well, i was really glad i did because, with the exception of Abbas' graphics, especially the cell-cell interactions, Janeways book is significantly better. The language used in this book is rushed and confusing that resulted in me, more times than not, reaching for the trusted Janeway (which I now dubb 'The Bible'). I would only recommend Abbas's Basic immunology for those who need to cram for an exam in a very short time. For all else, if you really like immunology and like Abbas' way with his pictures, 'Cellular and Molecular Immunology' also by Abbas would be better, or even better Janeways 'Immunobiology'.

This book has great information in it BUT it is so poorly organized and written that a reader can't absorb it. The book is so repetitive and wordy that the key points are often obscured. The diagrams are the saving grace of the book -- these are well-drawn and easy to understand. I resorted to looking at the diagrams and reading the chapter intros and summaries to try and get what I needed out of the book. However, that wasn't enough and I got so frustrated with an immuno final exam looming that I purchased another book. I recommend looking elsewhere especially if you are new to immunology.

The text has excellent pictures and does a good job of relating components of the immune system. Its brief text, excellent pictures and summaries work well for medically oriented students who are trying gain a big picture of how the immune system works. Highlighting allows students to identify the most important component in each paragraph/page. It might not be as good of a textbook for an undergraduate course or a graduate course as it doesn't follow the traditional lecture format.

Uses text and pictorals to convey similar points. Brief chapters will actually be read. Not comprehensive, but appendices are good, lacks technique section. Abbas's former associates are in some controvery right now, over FACS published.