An Introduction to Genetic Analysis 11th Edition, Kindle Edition

I would give this book a 2.5 if I could, as it is perfectly mediocre. Explanations are mostly adequate for a somewhat in-depth understanding in most topics. The first several chapters dealing with the basics (Mendelian topics, mapping, linkage, DNA replication, translation and transcription, some proteomics topics, gene regulation) are for the most part well done. This is essentially chapters 1-9, 13. The figures are very helpful and the text is written clearly (in general). There are, however, a few instances where the authors have omitted crucial information (presumably for the sake of simplification) irresponsibly. This becomes a glaring problem later in the book.

When it came to more modern genetic techniques and topics (genetic engineering, genomics, DNA repair), there were several instances when my professor had to tell us that the book was too simplified or misleading and to simply ignore it for our particular topic. The chapter on DNA repair was particularly troublesome. For example, there is one mechanism that, while described in detail, is completely incorrect. For the most part, however, the book simply leaves out many details or, in the case of DNA technology, describes genetic techniques that have not been used since the 80's. The sections dealing with making libraries, for example, include descriptions of phage and fosmid libraries. NOBODY uses these anymore. The descriptions of BACs, YACs, and other vectors that are actually used are on the simple side. Those older techniques aren't any simpler than modern techniques either, so why they are discussed is a mystery to me. It is at this point in the text (modern genetics) that the quality of the figures takes a dive. The practice of omitting information (presumably for simplification) now reduces some figures to colorful pictures of limited assistance.

As my class was more focused on molecular genetics, I can't comment on any of the sections dealing with population genetics.

So, I suppose it depends on what the focus of your class is, and how rigorously your instructor treats the material. If yours is an intro course focused on classical genetics, this book should be great for the most part. You are, however, left with a long and expensive book with only some decent content. If your course spends more time on modern genetics and/or delves deeper into some topics, then this book may only be of limited assistance. If you're in that group, however, your instructor is probably well aware of the deficiencies in the text and will structure the class accordingly.

This textbook was required for my genetics class. Although the writing is approachable enough, the way the authors cover the material can be confusing and unnecessarily complicated. I ended up turning to other sources (genetics portion of a biochemistry book, lecture notes from an intro bio class, google) for better-written coverage of the material. Also, the end-of-chapter questions can be either really easy or really hard, with not much in-between. I found them so frustrating that I just stopped doing them.

No. Juuuuust no. This book introduces hypothetical situations and THEN explains why they're wrong. It messed with my head, just give me the info straight up. It's convoluted and annoying, and the looseleaf thing was a mistake.

I got this for my genetics class. It gives good explanations and the questions at the end test what the book tells you. If you're having any trouble, pick up the solution manual as well.

I did not care for this textbook as to me, the concepts were not well explained. I ended up studying the processes of DNA replication, etc. from my excellent biochemistry text instead: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry

I dont this book was as useful for the genetics class at the University of Michigan. There are many other textbooks that would be more reliable.

This textbook really helped me get through my graduate course in Genetics with flying colors. I had not had an undergrad course in genetics, and this book gave me the background I needed in a clear manner and for a very reasonable price.

Really helped my understanding of genetics in a clear way. It’s a great introductory book for a complex topic.