Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems With Infotrac

Rating:
Summary: The book is outstanding and so is the author!
Review: Agree with the previous two readers: a bit wordy. Most textbook writers assume too much on the part of the reader and are thus overly brief. Sherwood seems to take the opposite stand. We have to remind her that students who take a physiology course are supposed to have some kind of knowledge and intelligence: they are simply not six-year olds or aliens from Mars. To give the book due credit though, it helped me out with the MCAT (scored a 12 in the biological).

Rating:
Summary: Superlative, outstanding, accurate with superb practical eg
Review: I am an independent reviewer with 20 years professional experience reviewing physiology texts. I am not the author & do not have stock in the company--simply stated the reviewer from NY is dead wrong--and I challenge him/her to point out gross inaccuracies--since none are obvious to me. Also, please beware of the credentials of reviewers who may have a vested interest or be a competitor. I am independent and trained in physiology and committed to telling the truth. This book is the best of its kind in the field and Dr. Sherwood is a superlative writer who should be commended for her accuracy, marvelously flowing writing style, and superb and practical examples which can be applied to every day life.

Rating:
Summary: The book is outstanding and so is the author!
Review: I took Dr. Sherwood's class last semester and used this book for the course. I am not a medical student, but even I could understand clearly what the author was talking about, both in class and in the textbook. She has a wonderful enthusiasm for the subject, which is infectious. The most attractive feature of this text is the large number of patho-physiology examples sprinkled throughout it. It helped me remember the material more easily. I wish more teachers would write and TEACH like Dr. Sherwood, and not just give out handouts and think their job is done.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book for getting the big picture
Review: I've found Sherwood's physiology textbook to be brilliantly clear and insightful. The diagrams and text flow together nicely and the writing style is lucid and thoughtful. As a medical student, most of our assigned readings are from syllabus entries, which are often too condensed to be worth much of anything, if you don't have the requisite knowledge, which is assumed on your part. This is where this book shines. It is great for giving you a working, functional understanding of the different organ systems of the body, as well as their interconnections. Picking up additional details on any given system may require more specialized tomes (that will give your biceps some strain), but for starting out on a subject I have found no better source.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book for getting the big picture
Review: I've found Sherwood's physiology textbook to be brilliantly clear and insightful. The diagrams and text flow together nicely and the writing style is lucid and thoughtful. As a medical student, most of our assigned readings are from syllabus entries, which are often too condensed to be worth much of anything, if you don't have the requisite knowledge, which is assumed on your part. This is where this book shines. It is great for giving you a working, functional understanding of the different organ systems of the body, as well as their interconnections. Picking up additional details on any given system may require more specialized tomes (that will give your biceps some strain), but for starting out on a subject I have found no better source.

Rating:
Summary: The outstanding text for the undergrad student
Review: Underlying the broad study of physiology lies several important principles; unless these are appreciated, studying physiology can prove to be difficult, time-consuming, and ultimately an experience you'd rather forget.

Often in the hope of gaining a complete understanding of physiology, students will make the mistake of trying to attack the bigger/detailed texts such as guyton, ganong, and berne& levy. Unfortunately these books (particularly the latter two) are quite advanced and detailed, possessing a lot of minutiae. These books are useful for postgrads in science or for those sitting medical specialty exams. What you need if you're starting out in physiology is a book that clearly emphasises the principles, and avoids swamping you with detail that will quickly erase your appreciation of the big picture (your examiners will reward such perspective, and not the regurgitation of random facts! - the same is true for all areas of study). Sherwood does an amazing job of providing this information at just the right level for the beginner, laying down a solid foundation for further learning. I recommend using this as a primary text and consulting the other heavy weights for the fine print if your course syllabus (or thirst for knowledge!) requires this.