Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple, Edition 3 [Paperback]

Mark Gladwin (Author), Bill Trattler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0940780496 | ISBN-13: 978-0940780491 | Publication Date: July 15, 2004 | Edition: 3

(Currently in 2004 revised printing) A brief, clear, thorough, and highly enjoyable approach to clinical microbiology, brimming with mnemonics, humor, summary charts and illustrations, from AIDS to "flesh-eating bacteria" to ebola, mad cow disease, hantavirus, anthrax, smallpox, botulism, etc. Excellent Board review.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chief, Vascular Medicine Branch and Director of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Functional Genomics Core of the National Institutes of Health

Product Details

• Paperback: 273 pages
• Publisher: Medmaster; 3 edition (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940780496
• ISBN-13: 978-0940780491
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

139 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unorthdox, but it can be effective, June 26, 2004

By 

Gerald J. Nora - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple, Edition 3 (Paperback)

When I received this book, I was not sure what to make of it. Rather than seriously examining key points of organisms with illustrations to show how mechanisms worked, the book is packed with mnemonics and weired cartoons meant to help you remember what you need to know for the boards (for instance, Chlamydia has a "clam" necklace; Salmonella is shown as a salmon hanging out and smoking a cigar in a gallbladder to remind you that's where chronic Salmonella carriers retain the bug).

I grew to appreciate these stupid cartoons, as I did remember stuff I would have otherwise forgotten. If you are burning out, this is a good resource!

This is not a real textbook, however. You get a guerilla introduction to some basics, but the presentation of material is not as systematic as a text. At the end of each chapter is a chart to summarize the information presented, but the font is tiny and I never bothered using it.

I would recommend checking this book out to see if the book's style works for you. If it does, this is a good way to study microbiology even if you are tired and sick of studying for Step I. If it does not, there are plenty of more standard texts and reviews to choose.

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent review of microbiology.., April 29, 2002

By 

Kersi Von Zerububbel "Kersi" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple, Edition 3 (Paperback)

This text will give you a good review of clinical microbiology. The information is geared towards the medical student. Important facts are presented in a easy-to-memorize manner which gives the student what is needed to pass exams. This is not meant to be a textbook on clinical microbiology and therefore one should not expect cogent narratives. However, if you are over 50 like myself; make sure you have your reading glasses or magnifiers handy. The font size is quite small and the print could have been a little darker. Also you may find parts of the book a bit too flippant but remind yourself that this is supposed to be a review text.

Well worth your time.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes learning fun (well, at least it eases the pain), December 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple, Edition 3 (Paperback)

With the help of diagrams, funny stories, and pneumonics, this book helped me remember my facts and keep the bacteria organized in my head. Here's how I studied (for my class and the Board Shelf Exam): I xeroxed the charts found in the book and studied them over and over in a nice packet. Everything you need to know is in the charts. I also looked over First Aid to put it all together. Pretest Microbiology or Appleton and Lange's Review of Microbioloy are excellent sources of clinical based practice questions. If you need a reference, the new Lippincott Microbiology by Strohl is good.