Amanda Jewison, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Metabolism is not the most simple or compelling subject that medical students have to contend with, but this book makes it decidedly less intimidating than many of the physiology textbooks out there. Although less detailed, it covers the essential facts, accompanied with colourful diagrams and clear-cut explanations in speech bubbles that make even topics such as the Krebs cycle more digestible. Section one delivers a useful overview of metabolism and its underlying themes, followed by 62 key concepts in bullet point form in section two, which I personally didn’t find very helpful, but section three (the bulk of the book) expands on each point in section two and presents concise information in a double page spread per topic. This book would be useful for both preclinical medical students learning about metabolism and also for clinical students needing to revise the underlying physiology of clinical conditions.

Posted 1st Jul 2008

Clare Medley, University of Newcastle

This is a very good book to teach the core facts of metabolism, it is concisely written with clearly defined sections making it easy to navigate through. The colour and layout makes the topics more interesting and easy to read and there are plenty of diagrams which complement the text well. There is a section containing the basic facts and a glossary of terms which is very helpful, especially in getting you started. There are also boxes with clinical examples helping to make it relevant and interesting. However for those wanting to dive deeper into the topic it might leave you wanting more especially the clinical information sections and there are not many practise questions to test your knowledge. Overall I found it ideal for revision; it explained everything you need to know as concisely as possible making it handy for exams and for those struggling to grasp the topic.

Posted 1st Jul 2008

David Miller, University of Glasgow

Finally, a concise, easy to read biochemistry book which walks you through the minefield of metabolites, enzymes and chemicals of the essential metabolic processes that we’ve all come to know and love.
The Flesh and Bones of Metabolism scraps the great reams of detail that confuse the intrepid student in favour of clear colourful annotated diagrams handily accompanied by a piece of text with all the essential details and descriptions.
Set out in easily accessible and well-catalogued sections it gets you to the information you need and makes light work of understanding it.
This book excels in that it details the key steps in metabolic pathways; the start, the end, the control and snippets of the clinical problems that can result from its failure.
Particularly helpful attentions to detail are the small explanatory bubbles next to the processes to help keep you on track.
The book comes into its own for use in revision, all the essentials, not too much detail to confuse you and the perfect balance of diagrams to aid your understanding and keep you focused.
This is the handy guide to biochemistry we’ve all been waiting for.

Posted 1st Jul 2008

Kathleen Shelley, University of Southampton

Flesh & Bones of Metabolism is ideal for the medical student who breaks a sweat when faced with anything to do with biochemistry. 60 key concepts are presented each on a double-page spread, along with a generous helping of diagrams which are both colourful and easy to follow. The reader’s attention is constantly brought to the significance of each concept to clinical practice — an invaluable aid in helping the medical student understand its relevance to them. Case studies and questions can be found in most chapters to test understanding and there is even a useful glossary at the back.
This book is probably most useful as a revision book as opposed to a starting point and will prove invaluable to the medical student in his/her ‘pre-clinical’ years as it will provide an excellent base to build on later in their careers.

Posted 1st Jul 2008

Kayte McCann, University of East Anglia

So I found myself with a copy of Flesh and Bones of Metabolism to be reading and I have to say I was impressed. My current module is based around locomotion so this book wasn’t a preferred text for the moment, but once I started reading it I found it a well laid out and stimulating text. It was a book I would quite happily recommend for revision and general base line study.
Even topics such as the Kreb’s Cycle (which I’m quite good at messing up) were explained easily and even persuaded me to learn it well.
This book is well presented and doesn’t over complicate or over simplify — it hits the happy medium (for me at least). Well worth a look.

Posted 1st Jul 2008

Sarah Edwards, Peninsula Medical School

This book is what was missing from my textbook list after all these years. It is clear and concise, and gives simple facts in two pages. I have found this book particularly useful when revising topics due to its simplisticly laid information. The pages are laid with simple diagrams, text and clinically relevant information. The clinically relevant information is especially useful, as it helps to think “out side the box” and see where this information can be used in medical practice. The diagrams used are exceptional, and easy to understand. This book is extremely useful when needing information quickly, without the unnecessary science often added in some books. Despite its clear, concisely laid information I felt in places it could be have a little more depth for my personal reading. Irrespective of this it is a well written book.

Posted 1st Jul 2008