Customer Reviews

Biochemistry Made Very Easy: Book One: Energy Metabolism, Carbohydrates and Lipids (Bk.1)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The idea of this book is very seductive. This book simplifies the material by cutting through a lot of the detail and focusing on the main ideas of metabolism. It reads like a series of answers to basic chapter questions, perhaps like a freshmen's notes. There is no attempt to elucidate the logic of the material and build bridges to understanding in this way. All structures are completely absent! The transformations become a memorization of the names and orders of compounds. Without structure, understanding metabolism is rendered more difficult if not impossible. It's actually easier to understand the subject if you can see what is happening. There is nothing graphic in this book to illustrate points. Although the book is successful with helping the reader focus on the main points I think it fails to provide real insight. For the chapter summaries I would gladly pay $5 - $10 for this book. I noticed this book was published by the author. I suspect it's because no one else would publish it. Clearly this book is an attempt by the author to make a quick buck without really putting very much into it. At $25 this book is a rip off. Don't buy it, unless you just need a minimal understanding of the material. Clearly there is a niche still waiting to be filled. Perhaps there is someone who will be truly able to make Biochemistry very easy in the future.

Despite all the criticisms. I would not have passed Biochem (with a HD) without this book. Reviewers are correct, biochemistry is difficult, mostly because of all the names of substrates and enzymes that are nigh on impossible to remember, no matter how you do it. However, what this book does is to strip away the bits that serve only to add confusion to an already difficult subject and leave you with the kernels that are the requirements to pass exams or to use to build on, should that be the direction you want to go. I used all the expensive biochem books as footrests and actually learned biochem from this book, Thanks Mr Byrne for saving my arse.

This book helped me pass medical boards. You can't read it just once. It requires repetition to really know it.

Biochemistry made very easy is a very seductive idea. This book readsas a series of answers to the essential points covered in a typicalBiochemistry book on metabolism; almost like study notes on thesubject. The author makes no attempt to reveal the logic ofmetabolism and provide understanding that makes learning the subjecteasier. No chemical structures are in sight! Without structures everytransformation is a new chemical name without connection to thechemical name before it! This book does help you focus on the mostimportant parts of the material and doesn't overload you withdetails... The author self published this book and I think it'sbecause no one else would. He really is trying to make money withoutdelivering much. Disappointing... There is still a great niche herefor anyone with the talent to write a great book on Biochemistry madevery easy. Don't waste your money on this book!

I am the author. This book is out of print but a very similar updated version is available for sale on amazon.com as an instantly downloadable kindle edition at this link Get to Grips with Biochemistry Ypu can also also download some of the chapters for free from the associated website - search for get to grips with biochemistry