Biochemistry (Book with CD-ROM)

Rating:
Summary: Good biochemistry review in outline form
Review: This is a good review book for medical school. It offers great depth and details to the subject of biochemistry albeit it lacks the illustration and color of textbooks. The book is written in an outline form, so reading a chapter of Davidson's Biochemistry can be tedious; but then, there are those who like to study that way

Rating:
Summary: made me love biochemistry
Review: throughout my stay in med school, I never understood why I must be subjected to all those biochemical details. I was aware, of course, that I needed to understand the basic chemical processes that affected the human body, but I couldn't find any reason why my professors would treat medical students as if they were biochem majors. Boy, was I glad when the biochemistry class was over, and I passed the darn course!
I was to meet this same course a few years ago, when I had to sit for the USMLE I. Like a sick child who must swallow a bitter tablet, I reluctantly began to study biochem. Again.
It was a very pleasant surprise that the course was really interesting. I mean, I enjoyed it as much as I did physiology (and I always loved physiology!).
I realized that I came to love biochem because of this book. The authors knew how to give you solid biochemical reasons for those familiar clinical conditions. Contrary to my previous experiences in med school, I found out that biochemistry is indeed a very interesting vourse.
The only (small) problem that you may find with this book is, it could be too detailed at times. However, it covers the USMLE topics quite well. If you have read Kaplan's materials, you'd agree that there are very many similarities. I read both.
If you want to use it for the USMLE I exam, I suggest you first read the specific topics required for the exam. Afterwards, you may then the other areas that are not vital for the exam, if you are interested, and you have the extra time.
I wish I had this book much earlier. It's really nice.