5 comments about BRS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Board Review Series).

1. I have used the anatomy and this book (BRS Bio Chem & Molecular Bio) of the BRS series and this one has got to be the worst book I have ever used for review. Through out the entire book there are mistake (both in the text and in the practice questions). You will spend more time trying to figure out if the book it right or wrong then actually studying. I would NOT recommend this book to anyone! I returned this book after using it for 1 day!



2. I found myself extremely frustrated with this book. I found so many errors in the questions, and even some in the text (it would literally say a completely different thing on one page than the next). I spent so much time checking facts in it and trying to make sure what they were saying was correct. I also found myself worrying about the things I did not catch, and if I was learning incorrect information. I very much disliked this book, and I would discourage anyone from purchasing it.



3. I am speechless about this book. It is so riddled with errors that the questions cannot possibly represent Boards questions. The questions are too detailed, contain too many calculations, and does not adequately prepare you for the Boards. This book is worthless. The errors are prolific. The authors should be ashamed. This was the most epic waste of my education to date.



4. The questions on this book are not consistant with questions on NBME shelf exams. I used this book to study, consistantly scored very well on the end of chapter and the comprehensive eams in the book, yet I was dumbfounded by the questions on the NBME biochem shelf exam. The material tested on the exam was the same material covered in this book, however, the emphasis was on the wrong things.



5. BRS biochemistry covers all the material that you would expect, and, while there are errors in the review questions, most are simply the answer choice not corresponding to the explanation. I, for one, prefer the BRS format to the rapid review, so I'll put up with the inconvenience.

5 comments about Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment (Lww Massage Therapy & Bodywork Educational Series.).

1. This is the most practical and informative book that teaches what you need to know and what is relevant...not filler material.



2. This book is so beneficial as reference material. The images are unreal and so specific. At least four therapists I know have bought the book since flicking through my copy.



3. This book is fantastic for all the reasons the other reviewers gave, but oh that's not all...the CD-ROM is fantastic really amazing. It's a great way to see the muscles again in another view. The images are of computer generated models to show the attachments and then there is a video of a therapist massaging the muscle. It took me months to watch this CD-ROM because I had no idea it was going to be this great. Buy this book it's well worth the money. Plus, it's a business expense!



4. I purchased this book when I was half way through massage therapy school. I wish I would have had it right from the start! It is a great book with amazing real pictures of muscles. I brought this book to class and about 1/2 the class wanted to order it! The instructor saw it and was going to look into getting it for future classes. Just get it; you won't be sorry you did. Money well spent!



5. I ordered two weeks before classes started and I received my book the following week! This book is great, the graphics are more than helpful... they are insightful! Recommend highly!
   Thank you for your prompt delivery and great quality!

5 comments about Animal Liberation.

1. When I was just a seventeen-year-old teenager, the boss at my summer job gave me Animal Liberation to read because he didn't have the heart to throw a book out. He said PETA sent it to him because of his large donation. He wasn't a vegetarian but he did have a soft spot for the animals.
   
   Anyway, half way through the book, I converted to vegetarianism. By the end of the book which coincided with the end of the week, I was a vegan and haven't looked back since that day which was 20 years ago.
   
   Read this book and inform yourself. You don't have to become a vegan but it would be nice if you developed an awareness of how mankind treats animals and how he has forsaken his role as "shepherd."
   
   Thanks.



2. This book is like an enlightment.Peter singer managed to dissecate the speciesist assumption that animals dont count on the ethics equation.
   The book ranges from the explanation of the argument for animal rigths in a remarkable way, it traces the philosophical background of speciesism in history and it also show us examples of the consequences of our speciesism, factory farming, animal experimentation etc...
   Its a must have to everyone that wants a better society for all, animals included.



3. Singer would do well to read the Declaration of Independence, written by men far more ethical and wise than he:
   
   "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
   
   This simple yet profound statement cuts directly to the heart of the so-called animal "rights" debate and shines a glaring spotlight on the moral and ethical bankruptcy of those who equate animals with people.
   
   Simply put, they do not believe in the Judeo-Christian God. Whether such a god exists is beside the point. The ethical nihilism that is the natural result of atheism leads irrevocably to acceptance of the position that animals and people are equally deserving of consideration and freedom. After all, they would say, all living things are the accidental by-product of a mindless system of natural law that did not have us in mind and cares nothing for us. If you accept that premise, it's obvious that animals and humans deserve the same rights, if they deserve any at all.
   
   For those of us who believe in a God who created Man in His image, the animal rights argument rings hollow from the start. This stance must make the animal rightist howl with indignation as it appeals to an objective moral authority above and beyond that of any human mind, specifically Singer's.



4. This is the only book I have ever rated five stars.
   
   Animal Liberation sparked a worldwide movement since the first edition's publication in 1975. Had this book not been published, you probably would never have heard of animal rights.
   
   It presents a well-argued, concise overview of each issue:
   
   In chapter 1, Singer argues that the most basic principles of ethics that we apply to humans - against causing pain and suffering for trivial reasons - apply to members of other species precisely because they are capable of experiencing pain and suffering as intensely as members of our own species. He claims that our attitude of assuming that the suffering of other species cannot be taken seriously is therefore a form of prejudice, called "speciesism" by analogy with racism and sexism.
   
   Chapters 2 and 3 expose the mind-boggling cruelty we carry out on other species for experimentation and food, and (convincingly, I think) compare these practices, and our attitudes towards them, with the similar treatment of, and attitudes towards, groups of humans in what we now consider the darkest periods of human history.
   
   In chapter 4, Singer amasses evidence in support of adopting a vegetarian diet, which has, directly and indirectly, convinced millions.
   
   Chapter 5 undermines the attitudes towards other animals that most of us grew up with by revealing their historical origins. Rather than viewing our conception of human superiority as a deep, inarticulable, but somehow respectable intuition, Singer points out that it is uniquely Western, and closely correlates historically with other prejudiced attitudes.
   
   In chapter 6, Singer straightforwardly responds to all of the common objections to his positions, including those raised against the first edition, highlights the successes of the movement since the first edition, and inspires us all to join the animal rights movement.
   
   Animal Liberation is a classic, a must-read for anyone who stands for or against animal rights, and even those interested in philosophy or politics more generally. I should point out, though, that it has not been updated since 1990, so the latest advances in animal rights aren't described. Also, if you don't like prefaces, skip the two more recent ones if you wish, but don't miss the original "Preface to the 1975 Edition." It's brilliant and historic.
   
   If you are at all concerned with basic questions of justice, of how we ought to live, you cannot afford to pass up this book.
   
   Enjoy!



5. This book, more than any other shook the foundation of my perspective on animal suffering and enlightened me to the suffering we all cause to non-human animals every day. Singer shows the reader what harm is being done and that doing no harm is not simply a matter of continuing the comfortable pattern of thoughts and behaviors that are the majority in human societies.
   
   Singer's rational and utilitarian approach is the perfect antidote to both irrational and reactionary arguments against the validation of this suffering and also the stereotype of vegans and those in favor of animal rights as overly sentimental animal lovers. His writing is precise, his examples measured and his arguments never pedantic or repetitive.
   
   Singer takes utilitarian ethical theory to its conclusions in thought and practice. He defines his premises well and then proceeds logically and unswervingly to all ramifications of these premises. While many have attacked the radical ethical ideas Singer puts forth far fewer have anything more substantial than intuitive resistance to his stance. Animal abolitionists also criticize this book saying that it and Singer do not go far enough. While there may be disagreements about the goals of working towards ending the suffering of animals there can be no doubt that "Animal Liberation" has been incredibly influential in raising the consciousness of the importance of these goals.

5 comments about Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach, Eighth Edition.

1. The reviewer that only gave this book 2 stars is dead wrong, in my opinion. It's sectioned off by topic, then it goes in depth with actual field studies and examples to explain why a particular animal behaviour is what it is, and usually from an ultimate and proximate viewpoint. Very easy to read and follow, lots of pictures and graphs, which helped keep my brain stimulated. I will be keeping this book in my personal library for future reference.



2. While I expected this book (and my course) to be a book of concepts and theories, they are actually filled with examples of field studies, lab studies, etc. This makes the book actually enjoyable to read, if you have any interest in animal behavior. The writer is an evolutionary biologist himself, and he makes this clear when he explicitly compares his opinions to other biologists' opinions. The images of the author's thumb as a mating object by a bee were also amusing. Like another reviewer mentioned, this book is fun, and can -almost- be read for fun.



3. This was a textbook for a class and it is as fun and easy to read as a textbook can be. Lots of good pictures and examples.



4. The book came shrink wrapped in perfect condition. Speedy delivery. No complaints.



5. First of all, this isnt a textbook in the traditional sense, so dont get fooled.
   
   It is actually just a compilation of research done on animal behavior, plus a few bolded words and definition.
   
   Definitely a really dry read that makes it overly complicated to understand a concept.
   
   For example, i dont need to know about the experimental design of ducks and how they got them to imprint, i just need a definition and a quick example, not a 3 page long spiel that is a waste of my time to read

5 comments about A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs: Northeastern and north-central United States and southeastern and south-centralCanada (Peterson Field Guides (R)).

1. As a wetland delineator in PA, this book proves invaluable for field identification of trees, shrubs, and vines. Especially useful is are the keys for identification of these plants in winter when leaves and fruiting bodies are non-existant. I have several other tree books for reference, but they rarely are worth carting along in the field now that I have this book. I highly recommend it.



2. No mere Peterson field guide, this scholarly work is a concise encyclopedia of all the trees native to the northeastern United States, with descriptions that can truly be used to tell them apart (a unique feat). Belongs in the backpack of any hiker who wants to learn trees. Fits in a half-gallon Ziploc. Remember you need a magnifying glass and a sharp knife to use the book properly.



3. This is an wonderful guide to trees and one of the few that also includes shrubs. The format of keys and plates is very clear and an excellent introduction to the use of taxonomic keys.



4. This is a good basic book to have on hand for identification. I like how it covers shrubs and some vines in addition to trees. I use this book often as a reference, along with other similar guides I have. I always prefer to use more than one reference for IDs to make sure I have the correct plant.



5. This book would be a lot better if it had more pictures. It's hard to compare a real specimen to a written paragraph.

4 comments about Animal Physiology, Second Edition.

1. Dr. Hill is as wonderfully knowledgable and intelligent in his writing as he is in his teaching. Fortunate enough to have him as a professor and, incidentally, use his book (co-written with Wyse) as a resource, I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in animal physiology or to any biologist/zoologist.



2. From explaining how a mammal can stay underwater for lengthy periods, to how a camel can survive without water for days, this is a fascinating description of all types of animals and their unique ways of living. I never knew quite how fish breathe, nor how birds survive freezing temperatures. This is one book I can pick up, open to any page, and find the contents more intriguing than any mystery. It explains in depth the most recent current knowledge with examples of studies when researchers are still unclear about the answers. I am a nurse, not a physiologist, and find it easily comprehensible.



3. This is an excellent text book. I was privlaged enough to have Dr. Hill as a professor, and this book truely does justice to his wealth of knowledge. It is easily comprehended by physiologists as well as any other students in general. It goes in depth into a wide variety of questions, provinding many enlightening examples and illustrations. Really a great book for all students.



4. EXCELLENT resource! I loved this book! I learned so much and it DEFINATLEY helped in passing the class!

5 comments about A Field Guide to Eastern Trees (Peterson Field Guides).

1. This book covers eastern North America, including the Midwest and the South.



2. I bought this for my husband for Christmas. He was blown away by all the information this little book contained. The only thing he said that he didn't care for was that some of the pictures were in black and white and he would have prefered all colored pictures.



3. If you like having color plates in your field guide this one is not for you. I found it difficult to work with and hard to find information I needed. For a field guide it has too much written information looking to list various tees but not enough total tree information. For instance, the buds and leaves are shown but not the tree bark or the silhouettes with each. Silhouettes are provided for types but not referenced for the various species. One has to jump around with the guide looking for information on the same specie of tree. For identifying species in the field the book falls far short. Color plates are a limited number of diagrams and sketches instead of photos, a major weakness. On a positive note, greater emphasis in locating species with maps showing growth locations is provided.



4. Great if you like Botany and trees. I used for a field biology class.



5. This is a pretty good field guide even though I have to skip around through the pages to find things. (The color plates are not with the descriptions, which is like other Peterson guides) It has some photos with the descriptions, which is nice, and there are range maps.

No comments about Barron's SAT Subject Test Biology E/M with CD-ROM (Barron's How to Prepare for the Sat II Biology E/M).

1 comments about Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity.

1. First the more practical stuff. I think the book is very cheap, because I found for a much higher price somewhere else, but also because of its size and print quality (I expected something smaller). And it arrived very fast (I got super-fast shipping for free).
   Now the book. I like that it has a lot of figures. I'm a scientist and usually have to read long, black and white papers, with only formal figures. Adding figures to text books is not cheap, but is makes is much more reader-friendly. Also, it is written in a non-scientific language so that anybody can read it, and it explains all necessary scientific terms. This might be a bit boring for those familiar with terminology, but I think its better that way, because this is NOT a scientific text book, it aims to reach wider audiences. thus, it has ''basic'' chapters on what biodiversity is and why is it threatened. Still, the book is essential for conservationists. It contains many hard data on why biological conservation is not just something we should promote because of aesthetic or recreational purposes but because of live and dead issues such as medical research and disease spreading. I would have liked though more than the seven groups of living organism that were reviewed in this book, for example fungi.
   This book is somehow a mixture of scientific data with general environmental education. Something I will use for my work and also to share with my friends and (future) children.

5 comments about Identifying Trees: An All-Season Guide To Eastern North America.

1. Identifying Trees: An All-Season Guide To Eastern North America
   I bought this book because my 7th grader was required to identify 25 tree leaves and create a leaf identification book for his Science project. He was given the list of trees we were to look for, then gather the sample leaves and label. "Identifying Trees" provided a wide variety of basic instruction on the process of identifying trees and their leaves, the most likey location of the trees, and colorful pictures to make identifcation easy. I loved the book and am happy to have it as an addition to my personal library.



2. Great pictures and great descriptions. I wanted to identify the trees on my property and it was very easy using this book. Everyone who guessed about one of my trees was wrong - it was a Tupelo - fancy that!



3. This book is one of the best I have seen on the subject of identifying trees. The material is laid out very well and is easy to understand. The pictures are great and allows you to identify quickly in winter. I would defiantly recommend this to anyone interested.



4. I was really excited to get this book. As I read it my opinion gradually declined. While it is a useful book, I have seen much better tree books, such as Michigan Trees (for those who live in the Great Lakes or Northeast). The book only cover the larger trees, for the most part. Many of the photos are of remarkably poor quality, and they tend not to show many good identifying characteristics. The writing seems disorganized, and the text does not go into detail about reliable identifying characteristics. The ranges given are extremely general.
   
   Most of all, I was disappointed to find the book containing errors that seem inexcusable in a guide of this type. For example, the section on slippery elm says "Slicing through the bark at a gradual angle will usually expose thin layers of white inner bark divided by the thicker reddish brown bark, as is usually found in the elms." This is totally wrong: the ABSENCE of white layers in the bark is the feature used to tell slippery elm from the other elms. The photo he shows are of American elm bark, as can be clearly seen by the light creamy layers in the bark. How can this guide help people identify trees if the author can't even identify them?



5. This is a good guide for an amateur like me. The photos are good and the text descriptions have lots of useful tips and information. It's a good addition for anybody's reference library.