Rating: 
Summary: Invaluable for learning physiology
Review: After discovering Guyton my physiology grades went up to A's! This book is easy to understand yet gives enough information to allow an in depth grasp on the subjects covered. Best for those of us who have not had physiology before - may not be enough for those who have already had a basic physiology class. I will use this book as a reference throughout my career - one of the few texts you should actually cart around with you after graduation.
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful, readable reference
Review: As a beginning pharmacy student, I found this book in the library while trying to look up info I couldn't find in my other physiology texts. I was impressed enough to order my own copy out of my measly little broke-student budget. It's thorough and readable, and while its focus isn't really exactly what I usually need these days (since I'm focusing more on the drug therapy aspects of things) it's still a great reference. You may not use it all the time, but it's a good idea to know where you can find one--in the library, in a friend or roommate's collection, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: Update the book, Guyton and Hall! And correct your mistakes!
Review: As a cardiovascular physiologist teaching at a medical university, this textbook is a fantastic teaching tool, especially with respect to cardiovascular and renal physiology. Unfortunately, I have to supplement my course with the texts of Ganong and even Costanzo to bring the students up-to-date with our current understanding of physiological mechanisms underlying the surface on which Guyton and Hall seem to focus their discussion. By not delving just a bit deeper, much of the beauty of the integrative nature of physiology is lost. For example, you won't find discussion of endothelial sodium channels (ENaCs) in the section on renal physiology. Since these channels are affected by both ANP and aldosterone, their importance in allowing the student to understand the "hows" behind sodium reabsorption cannot be overestimated. This is only one example (I'm currently doing my renal lectures). There is no discussion regarding molecular and even cellular aspects underlying many of the disease states discussed in the textbook. Our students must be made aware of the fact that molecular biology is real and relevant. Even more important is that the "macro" portion of physiology is a direct consequence of the "micro" portion of physiology. Just a nice way to understand the integration. This is why I rely on Ganong. Mistakes. This 10th Edition has mis-labeled graphs (reference to lines that do not exist) and some extreme typographical errors (decrease in place of increase, et cetera). How can I justify a textbook that is in its 10th edition, used all over the world, if I find such mistakes. Again, another reason to drop this book from my list of required reading. Another complaint is that the chapters are not cross-referenced, which means that you may find relevant discussion nestled on page 769 that you really needed to find in chapter 4. Please make the book more of a unit. It is very confusing for the students. The bottom line is that this book truly shines in many areas, but lacks in enough areas to deem it not usable anymore by my students. Without a significant update it will be dropped from my course (it IS being dropped next semester, as a matter of fact). I suggest Costanzo and Ganong as required texts and supplementing the course with handouts from Guyton. There is no need to by this large book for only a few good chapters. There is not enough time to cover the material in one physiology course, and the student is better off going to other textbooks (new text by Boron) if a great physiology textbook will be used later on for reference.
Rating:
Summary: Guyton's medical physiology
Review: As a hospital librarian, I have found Guyton's to be an invaluable resource. When I need to search for information on physiological processes that I don't fully understand, Guyton's is the first source I turn to.
The language is clear and accessible, and the illustrations are helpful. The text does a marvellous job of presenting complex information in a way that can be grasped quickly.
Rating:
Summary: Fine medical textbook, great home reference!
Review: As a person who has always had a profound interest in anatomy and physiology, I find this book to be an essential addition to any serious home library, e.g., an excellent complement to anatomy books such as Netter's or Gray's, etc. I am not a physician or a medical student, but merely a lay person who wishes to maintain high-grade and comprehensible home references pertaining to all areas of the sciences. Guyton's is a classic and deservedly so.
Rating:
Summary: Good physiology book but Ganong is better
Review: As many other reviewers have stated Guyton's text is too long winded. Whilst some claim that this aids in reader comprehension and understanding, I find it superfluous and distracting. Another reviewer mistakenly said that "..protein diets raise the GFR, but only Guyton tells you why " Guyton SPECULATES on why (p293) high protein diets raise GFR. The book contains a number of inconsistencies (inaccuracies) and is prone to misreading and I my opinion promotes misunderstandings. Another criticism is the inordinate amount of type-set devoted to the results of animal experiments. Whilst this is important from a research perspective it means the text is far longer than it needs to be (this information could have been removed from the text and included in the end of chapter references). Please do not misunderstand me this is a good textbook, but it is old (2000) and not as good as Ganong's clearer, much more concise and more up to date text (2003).
Rating:
Summary: Good book, not that great for exams.
Review: Guyton and Hall is like a big story about physiology. It is interesting, but the reader has a lot of trouble finding any relevant facts.They're all there, but very hard to find. (Plus, the book is really heavy.) Ganong is more concise and relevant. As a medical student,I found the graphs and diagrams given in the book very useful.The explanations are also great, in case one has time to read them. But if you are studying for an exam, you'd do well not to overcrowd your mind with Guyton. It makes you feel like there's SO much left to cover, when half the stuff they've printed and reprinted and repeated never gets asked. Its a good buy if you have a lot of time, and its great for reference once you start studying Medicine.
Rating:
Summary: And I thought Medical books were a pain for my brain
Review: Guyton and Hall's Medical Textbook of Physiology is the most exquisite piece of medical literature I have read ever ! Not only it introduces you in an appropiate scientific yet simple way to the human machine, but carries you all along through it like if you were a child learning ABC. Also, it introduces you to the graphic interpretations ( because although there aren't lots of them, he explains every detail of the graphic ), the physiologic experiences and solidifies your knowledge with pathophysiological approaches of common diseases so you can exercise through the book what you have learned. CONCLUSION: Thanks to GUYTON and HALL's book I'm doing so well in my physiology semester.
Rating:
Summary: Great for a first year medical student
Review: Guyton and Hall's Textbook of Medical Physiology is easily one of the best texts on the subject available. Clearly written, concise, and interesting, this book is highly recommended for first year medical students. It touches on most topics students will be required to be familiar with by their major clinical year. The chapters on cardiodynamics and renal physiology are particularly good.
Rating: 
Summary: In desperate need for an update
Review: Guyton has a marvellous talent for explaining Physiology, however, the info in the book is dated, a lot has happened regarding cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscle, neuroscience, metabolism, micturition etc etc.
The part about immunology is very poor and should perhaps be removed since there are many much better texts on this subject...
| 
