An Introduction to Genetic Analysis

Rating:
Summary: Not all good...
Review: I agree with some of the comments of the other reviewers: the book seems comprehensive and is very attractively laid out. However I am attempting to read the book on my own, not as the textbook to a course, and I am finding that it is quite badly organized. For instance, the first chapter rushes through a whole lot of stuff which is presumably covered in more detail later in the book, but they don't really tell you that, nor do they simplify it as they should if it's just an overview. In later chapters, several terms are used without being defined, and often it's impossible to tell what's going on in the figures from the captions and the text. I can imagine the book being good if you're taking a genetics course, but if you're just trying to read it and teach yourself, be prepared to be often confused...

Rating:
Summary: I don't know HOW they keep DOING it!
Review: 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.)

Rating:
Summary: Great Textbook of genetics
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Great Textbook of genetics
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Not all good...
Review: I've used this book quite extensively in my introductory Genetics class, and I'm sure I'll be using it often as a reference in the future. It is superbly written, with clear explanations of the material.

There are many, many diagrams and photographs which help to solidify understanding, and they are all in full color. It is organized very well, although this organization has changed from edition to edition and any teacher or student using it in their courses should be aware that chapters and problems in this newer version do not always coincide with those in previous editions. The questions are excellent as well, although purchasing the solutions manual is a wise idea (it is also very well done, with long, detailed explanations of the answers to the problems).

Overall, of the 3 or 4 genetics textbooks I've looked at, this is by far the best one. In fact, it's one of the best textbooks I've ever used for any class. This one's a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent genetics textbook and reference
Review: I've used this book quite extensively in my introductory Genetics class, and I'm sure I'll be using it often as a reference in the future. It is superbly written, with clear explanations of the material.

There are many, many diagrams and photographs which help to solidify understanding, and they are all in full color. It is organized very well, although this organization has changed from edition to edition and any teacher or student using it in their courses should be aware that chapters and problems in this newer version do not always coincide with those in previous editions. The questions are excellent as well, although purchasing the solutions manual is a wise idea (it is also very well done, with long, detailed explanations of the answers to the problems).

Overall, of the 3 or 4 genetics textbooks I've looked at, this is by far the best one. In fact, it's one of the best textbooks I've ever used for any class. This one's a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: I don't know HOW they keep DOING it!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The best genetics text I have seen.
Review: 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.