Customer Reviews

An Introduction to Genetic Analysis

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I have kept up with all of the editions of 'An Introduction to Genetic Analysis' since the first (a thin, red textbook that covered the bare basics of gene mutations and chromosome mechanics), and found every single one of them to be absolutely outstanding! I would recommend this as an introductory genetics textbook for every university that teaches basic genetics. There is enough material in this book to allow individual instructors to pick and choose which chapters and which subjects they would like to cover, without having to sacrafice anything. If you buy this book you have it all. It has chapters on basic genetics, chromosome mechanics, human genetic diseases, population genetics, genetic engineering, forensics, molecular biology, and biotechnology. No subject is neglected. It is well written, highly lucid, and VERY pleasing to the eye (with beautiful photographs and illustrations). Every chapter includes a problem solving section with solved problems. Therefore the instructor has the option of teaching either a conceptual course or a more problem oriented course. Problems range in difficulty from the trivial to the impossible. (Well, at least to the 'full pot of coffee and a bottle of asparin' level of difficulty.) These problems also represent a valuable resource from which examiners could potentially derive exam questions.) One can't say too many good things about these books. If the more recent editions are not available, but you have access to the earlier editions, I would still recommend using them. The basic material is so well dealt with that the older editions are still useful. Greg Doheny (Vancouver B.C.)

This is the best general genetics text available. It covers all material well, from basic Mendelian genetics to the difficul topic of linkage analysis. The book has challenging problems for students, and the solved problems do an excellent job of introducing students to the unique problem solving aspects of genetics. If the book has one weakness, it is that the section on the physical properties of DNA is a little weak and could cover the material with more depth. This is the standard by which I judge all basic genetics texts.

I used this Genetics textbook of Griffiths et.al when I was an undergraduate student at University of Michigan. The best part that I got from this book was its excellent problem sets given at the end of each chapter. Having taken several courses of Genetics, I believe that the best way to master this class is to practice as many problems as we can. This book is therefore a good start of a long road. Another strong part of this text is its clear and beautiful pictures. The authors may not use many words to explain the concepts but the pictures they show is spectacular. The organization is up-dated to balance between classical and molecular genetics. This book might be a bit expensive. yet it is worth having it if you plan to work in this field.

I work in a Mammalian Genetics lab, I have referenced this book numerous times and I have only had it a little over a month. It is those little things we forget, but now that information is at my fingertips. Excellent, would recommend it to anyone in the field.