Customer Reviews

Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

All 3 major biochemistry texts were being used at the univesity where I attended: Lehninger was used in a one-semester survey course for biological science students whose emphasis was not biochemistry and/or molecular biology; Voet was the chosen text for the first of a 2-semester sequence in biochemistry; and Stryer was selected for the second half of the sequence. As an undergradate student, I was grateful that the authors (joined by Pratt) produced a fine version instead of the original Voet & Voet main text. This revised, modified version is more succinct, clear, with excellent graphics and photographs. The level of content in this version of Voet is no less intense and thorough than the other 2 major texts, with a special attention on chemistry as well. One star is taken off due to the high price!

Although not as comprehensive as their larger text, this book is ideal for a beginning course in biochemistry. Most undergraduates are overwhelmed by the encylcopedic nature of Voet & Voet's main text, so the author team are to be thanked for joining with Pratt to produce this fine text. The book is on the level of the other main biochemistry textbooks (Stryer & Lehninger), but has the wonderful images and diagrams for which V&V (via artist Irving Geis) are famous! The interactive CD is very informative and useful as well. I have switched my classes to this text, as have about half of the liberal arts colleges in the midwest area (noted at the last MACTLAC conference, where the text, although new, was aready tied with Stryer as the textbook of choice).

The price of this text, when compared with the large version of Voet & Voet, is not reasonable. The material presented is condensed but not comprehensive. The authors tried to make their textbook shorter and maintain Voets'philosophy in writing a text (chemistry emphasis). I personally think that this text cannot be appropriately used in the upperclass or graduate course. On the other hand, the beginner of biochemistry may find this text easier, lighter, more colorful and more costly than its encyclopedic version.

When I first used this book in undergrad I did not like it very much, however, in medical school, I found this book to be a huge asset. It is great for someone who learns visually and condenses all the info on to a few pages, my medical school bio chem book took 30 pages to explain what this book does in a few. Also, I like the way this book is organized, it seems to flow.... the only chapter that seemed to need a little work was nucliotide mab.. Undergrad texts seem to stress more chemistry and enzyme mechanics, while med school will stress inh points. Also, photosythesis is not covered in med school, vitamins are not covered in this text

As far as content, this book wasn't too bad. However, I feel that the Lehninger Biochemistry text is an easier read, and I also believe it does a better job of explaining the interactions between molecules, proteins, etc. For that reason I switched to that text mid-way through Biochemistry I. On the plus side, this particular textbook has a little more content in the area of bioenergetics, but other than that, I'd stick with Lehninger. The main problem I had with this binder version is that the pages tear very easily. The paper is extremely flimsy, and because of this I tore multiple pages in this binder version. If you're going to buy this edition, I strongly recommend you do not buy the binder version - especially if you plan on selling it later.

Be advised, this item does not come with access to WileyPlus, the online program that accompanies the text. I noticed the item description has changed since I bought and returned the text, so Amazon must have gotten complaints.

This book is okay but using it alone is a bad idea, get Lehninger as a back up it will surely help you

This was my assigned textbook for college Biochemistry. I also used the accompanying Take Note workbook, and read some topics (mainly Proteins) from Lehninger. Voet was clear and easy to understand. I've even referred back to it while taking Biochem again in medical school. However, Chemistry majors will probably want something more advanced.

This book is average at best. It does not cover the fundamental aspects of many of the important parts of biochemistry. What is does give you is an excellent overview of hemoglobin and myoglobin. I would, however, recommend Stryer's book, especially for those who have lousy undergraduate professors.

This was the biochemistry book for my undergraduate course, but I hardly used it because it is not written in clearly understood language. It does have a glossary which is useful for looking up definitions, but when I would go to the index to clarify something we learned in class, chances were none of the references would apply to the concepts I was looking for, and if it did, it was incomprehensible. The general consensus among my classmates was that the book was worthless. The only useful feature is the end of chapter problems, and the solutions to these are found at the end of the book. I understand Lippincotts biochem is supposed to be pretty good, so you may want to investigate that if you are looking for a biochemistry book.