Book Description

The new edition of The Brain Atlas is now better than ever! This acclaimed text continues to provide a concise, elegant, and accurate portrait of human neuroanatomy. Divided into five sections—Background Information, The Brain
and its Blood Vessels, Brain Slices, Histological Sections, and Pathways—this enhanced text has been carefully revised to capitalize on the strengths of the first edition while making the book even more user-friendly. This fully revised edition of The Brain Atlas includes:
• 400 full-color, high quality images and diagrams • Redesigned direct labels replace previously used numbering system • Exceptional presentation of functional pathways • Increased image sizes to reveal structural details • Additional carefully matched radiological images • Visual cues for easy navigation • Clinical relevance highlighted throughout the text • Seamless integration of anatomy, brain vessels, neuroradiology and functional brain pathways • Complete revision of the index, now with over 6,000 entries ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Essential Book
"...an essential requirement for the library of any individual who works in the field...if you buy only one atlas, this is the one to by." (Journal of Neurosurgery, Vol. 98, June 2003)

Recommended Book
"I will certainly use [The Brain Atlas] to teach our residents in neuroanatomy and will encourage them to purchase the book as well." --Volker K.H. Sonntag, M.D., Barrow Neurosurgical Associates, Ltd.

Medical Student Opinion
The photographs are excellent, but the index sucks. It is poorly organized and incomplete. Take my advice and buy this book for Neuroanatomy just for the pictures. The paperback edition is very afforadable. Just put lots of little flags on the pages or sections you use most. It will save you much brain-ache.

It's best!!
Hanaway's brain atlas is best neuroanatomy atlas for medical students in pre-clinical level. Its photos and illustrations are very clear and easy to understand. And it is good for self study. ... Read more

Book Description

The The Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences explores all areas of the discipline in its 1000+ focused entries on a wide variety of topics in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and other related areas of neuroscience. The concise entries are all written at a level of comprehension not previously seen in existing literature by contributing authors representing an eclectic and diverse view of all aspects of neurology from many viewpoints and disciplines to provide a complete overview of the field.

The easy-to-use "encyclopedic-dictionary" format features alphabetic entries, extensive cross-referencing, and a thorough index for quick reference. The wealth of information provided by these four volumes makes for compelling reading by everyone from the academic researcher to students, to the curious lay person.

An online version of the Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences will be available on ScienceDirect in 2004. Visit http://info.sciencedirect.com/reference_works/ for contact and subscription information. Access options are available even if you're not an existing ScienceDirect customer!

Key Features
* Provides comprehensive coverage of the field of neurological science in over 1000+ entries, 4-volumes, and over 3400 pages
* "Encyclopedic-dictionary" format provides for concise, readable entries, easy searching, and extensive cross-referencing
* Presents complete, up-to-date information on 32 separate areas of neurology
* Entries are supplemented with useful references and an extensive index ... Read more

Reviews (1)

About this book
This book has explained fundamentals of neurology with outmost clarity, reading a topic from this book leaves behind indelible mark of understanding.I recommend this book for every resident, fellow, practicing neurologist and every medical library.

Seshurao V. Kruthiventi, MD ... Read more

Book Description

"This is a monumental work, covering a wide range of topics, both classical findings and recent approaches on the frontiers of research." -- Anne Treisman, Princeton University

This book revolutionizes how vision can be taught to undergraduate and graduate students in cognitive science, psychology, and optometry. It is the first comprehensive textbook on vision to reflect the integrated computational approach of modern research scientists. This new interdisciplinary approach, called "vision science," integrates psychological, computational, and neuroscientific perspectives.

The book covers all major topics related to vision, from early neural processing of image structure in the retina to high-level visual attention, memory, imagery, and awareness. The presentation throughout is theoretically sophisticated yet requires minimal knowledge of mathematics. There is also an extensive glossary, as well as appendices on psychophysical methods, connectionist modeling, and color technology. The book will serve not only as a comprehensive textbook on vision, but also as a valuable reference for researchers in cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, optometry, and philosophy. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Psychology & Neurophysiology of Vision Science
Stephen Palmer has written a marvelous book. Its well organized and written. It is suitable as a reference & text for those beginning and advancing to higher levels in Vision Science. The pictures, diagrams, graphs, charts, photos, and outlines are well placed and explained in the body of the text. Because Dr. Palmer is first a Neuropsychologist, the approach is more geared toward psychological mechanisms & psychophysics. The emphasis is less on Biological Approaches to Visual Function. This & Chalupa's 2 Volume Set should get novice to intermediate scientists going further in Vision Science!

I can't believe it's an one-author book
This book covers neuro, behavioral, computer science, almost everything about vision science, and very organized. at the bottom line, this book can be a good reference for vision science.

A book that's as good as its cover
As an interested academic in a completely unrelated field (chemistry) Palmer's book was only the second cognitive psychology text that I had ever read. It was an "eye opener." There should be awards given to authors who commit themselves and succeed at the task of what Palmer has done here. The book was comprehensive and didn't pull any punches, but was still very readable. The quality of the writing and organization leads me to assume that the man is a gifted teacher as well. The layout, glossary, index, and organization of the text were clearly constructed with the reader in mind. Five star reviews at Amazon.com should be reserved for books of this quality.

A unique text for students and researchers alike.
This is an excellent book! Steve Palmer is perhaps best known for his work on perceptual grouping and perceptual organization. With this text, however, Palmer proves that his interests extend beyond these boundaries into the domain of perception as a whole. Palmer also demonstrates that his interests are not confined by one methodology either. Presenting findings from a number of perspectives is one of the things that excites Palmer the most, and he does it like no other. By making use of relevant research in neuroscience, psychology, computer vision and linguistics, to name a few, Palmer develops a unified text for the emerging domain of "Vision Science", a subfield of the larger interdisciplinary enterprise of Cognitive Science.

Palmer's book differs from other books on visual perception in three major ways. First, Palmer introduces the major theoretical perspectives to visual perception--inferential, ecological and computational-- early in the text and then places empirical findings throughout the text in the context of these perspectives. Second, Palmer presents findings from a number of disciplines in an integrated fashion. As opposed to having separate sections for neuroscience, computer vision and perceptual development, for example, Palmer presents research from multiple disciplines as it relates to relevant areas of visual perception, such as perceptual organization or object recognition. Third, and perhaps most importantly, Palmer resists the temptation to dichotomize. The discussions of the literature are sophisticated, presenting both the pros and the cons of different approaches to phenomena in perception, even venturing to propose novel theoretical syntheses at various points in the book.

For anyone who is interested in visual perception, neuroscience, computer vision, or just Cognitive Science in general, this is a book that you must have on your book shelf. ... Read more

Book Description

Dramatically updating and extending the first edition, published in 1995, the second edition of The Handbook of Brain Theory and Neural Networks presents the enormous progress made in recent years in the many subfields related to the two great questions: How does the brain work? and, How can we build intelligent machines?

Once again, the heart of the book is a set of almost 300 articles covering the whole spectrum of topics in brain theory and neural networks. The first two parts of the book, prepared by Michael Arbib, are designed to help readers orient themselves in this wealth of material. Part I provides general background on brain modeling and on both biological and artificial neural networks. Part II consists of "Road Maps" to help readers steer through articles in part III on specific topics of interest. The articles in part III are written so as to be accessible to readers of diverse backgrounds. They are cross-referenced and provide lists of pointers to Road Maps, background material, and related reading.

The second edition greatly increases the coverage of models of fundamental neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, and neural network approaches to language. It contains 287 articles, compared to the 266 in the first edition. Articles on topics from the first edition have been updated by the original authors or written anew by new authors, and there are 106 articles on new topics. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Basic science for consciousness
Research is tedious, but if you want to know the nitty-gritty of mind-brain theory and neural networking, this book is an invaluable resource for basic, relevant, and accessible papers on the subjects. Encompassing seminal works from an unusually broad range of disciplines, here is an outstanding reference for those concerned with the mechanisms of intelligence.

Excellent compilation
This complilation of articles by leading experts in the field gives an excellent overview of studies in cognitive theory and the theory and applications of neural networks. The first two parts of the book give an overview and background of the properties of neurons and gives guidance to the reader on what sequence the articles are to be read. I did not read all of the articles, but only those that piqued my interest. I found the following articles particularly well-written and informative: 1. "Applications of Neural Networks": Outlines the diverse applications of neural networks to signal processing, time series, imaging, etc. 2. "Astronomy": Neural network applications in astronomy, such as adaptive optics and telescope guidance. 3. "Chains of Coupled Oscillators": Their connection with the lamprey central pattern generator. 4. "Chaos in Axons": An excellent review of chaos experimentally in squid axons and numerically with nerve equations. 5. "Collective Behavior of Coupled Oscillators": A study of the phase and complex Ginzburg-Landau model. 6. "Computer Modeling Methods for Neurons": Good overview of numerical modeling of neurons. 7. "Computing with Attractors": Overview of omputing and feedback networks with attractors and a fascinating discussion of the possible existence of attractors in the brain. 8. "Constrained Optimization and the Elastic Net": Useful discussion of application of neural networks to optimization problems. 9. "Data Clustering and Learning": Good discussion of parameter estimation of mixture models by parametric statistics and vector quantization of a data set by combinatorial optimization. 10. "Diffusion Models of Neuron Activity": Discusses 1-dimensional stochastic diffusion models for the neuron membrane potential. 11. "Disease: Neural Network Models": Interesting overview of neural net computational models of various mental illnesses. 12. "Dynamics and Bifurcation of Neural Networks": Discussion of neural nets and their behavior as dynamical systems. 13. "Emotion and Computational Neuroscience": Fascinating discussion of computational models of emotion. 14. "Investment Management": A discussion of tactical asset allocation neural network methods in asset management. 15. "Learning and Centralization: Theoretical Bounds": Overview of computational learning theory. 16. "Locust Flight": Interesting neural network study of the locust flight system. 17. "Neural Optimization": Discussion of combinatorial optimization using Ising and Potts neural networks. 18. "PAC Learning and Neural Networks": Overview of the Valiant "probabilistically correct learning paradigm in neural networks. 19. "Protein Structure Prediction": Neural network applications to prediction of protein secondary structure. 20. "Schema Theory": Extremely interesting overview of schemas. 21. "Speech Recognition: Pattern Matching": Excellent discussion of the applications of hidden Markov models to speech recognition. 22. "Statistical Mechanics of Neural Networks": Discussion of the use of the Hopfield model in neural networks. 23. Vapnik-Chervonenkis Dimension of Neural Networks": Very interesting discussion of the VC-dimension of neural networks.

Neural Network Bible
This is THE neural network and brain theory reference. Owning it is like owning an entire library, though much more compact.

If you take a look at the table of contents, you'll see the massive value in this book. If you're into neural nets and brain theory, or want to be, you need this book.

The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same
Granted, much has changed in the world of cognitive science since this book was written 2 years ago but most of this book is still extraordinarily relevant. Especially useful are the example connectionist networks if you are working with SNNS (Stuttgart Neural Network Simulator) or another neural network simulator, and the dynamic systems essays (I don't believe I'll ever be completely comfortable with such analyses of neural networks). I am currently attempting to simulate consciousness with a computer simulated neural network via a custom C++ program (Now why DID I choose that language?) so I also found the essays concerning the necessity of language for explicit conscious thought especially enlightening (and, by my view, highly controversial). Of course, how could this subject not be controverial? ... Read more

Book Description

At the heart of this classic, seminal book is Julian Jaynes's still-controversial thesis that human consciousness did not begin far back in animal evolution but instead is a learned process that came about only three thousand years ago and is still developing. The implications of this revolutionary scientific paradigm extend into virtually every aspect of our psychology, our history and culture, our religion -- and indeed our future. ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Probably wrong, but thought-provoking
I read this book about 20 years ago, and it still stands out in my mind as a very interesting theory. I initially believed it, but then developed doubts.
It would be very hard to find a clear test of the theory, but some of my suspicions are based on theories of why humans evolved intelligence. The arguments in Geoffrey Miller's The Mating Mind suggest pressures that would have caused consciousness to be used as soon as the brain developed the capacity for it. But Jaynes' theory seems to require that genes needed to support consciousness spread around the world without being used for that purpose.
What I like most about the book is the way it shakes up the common assumption that we can understand the mind by a combination of introspection and casually observing people around us (i.e. by folk psychology). Jaynes doesn't do this as well as Dennett in Consciousness Explained, but he comes close.

An extraordinary, challenging, enduring idea.
An extraordinary, challenging, enduring idea lies at the core of this book: an idea that encompasses and seeks to explicate the birth of consciousness, and thus the origin and evolution of civilisations. An evolution which, from this book's remarkable perspective, is still taking place now, and whose trail the reader can trace as clearly through recent centuries as the author delineates it in ancient cultures. The trail of consciousness.
Jaynes is quite possibly a maverick. He is, however, intellectually rigorous, painstaking, and honest. There is no sense that the reader is being lured into crackpot theory - this is no von Daniken potboiler. It's no easy read, believe me: and yet, Jaynes always provides the reader with clear, sure ground on which to proceed.
This book is, and should be regarded as, one of the 20th century's major works of psycho-archaeology, a true landmark and turning point in how humans understand themselves. It throws down many challenges to our elemental cultural and psychological assumptions. And it confronts, as bravely and as stimulatingly as any single thesis since Freud's idea of the subconscious, the biggest questions of all in our secular epoch: who are we? And what is our consciousness?
Questions that, as you will find out in discussion having read it, most people would rather leave well alone.

Critical Thinkers, BEWARE!
This book is disturbingly ill-reasoned tripe. Do NOT listen to the positive reviews that have been granted this work, as they ignore the fundamental problems that are endemic in this work. Jaynes bases his thesis on some of the poorest and most circumstantial evidence I have ever come across in my years as a psychological researcher. He succumbs to many pitfalls in his search for the root of human consciousness, including the subtle adherence to Cartesian Dualism. In other words, he is basing his book on the idea that there is a homunculus in our brains that guides our actions (or in this case, guided the 'hallucinations'). This idea is as reasonable as their being a little man in our television sets that orders the programming.

I believe that many of the positive reviews are a product of Jaynes' alluring writing style. He is quite capable with his word usage, but part of the trick he employs is miring his concepts in jargon in order to pull a fast one over discerning readers. The words sure are pretty, but they signify nothing. This is the kind of book that can successfully implant literally hundreds of false notions and poor scientific concepts in your mind without your recognition, on account of the level of his prose.

For a radically different and faaaaaaar more reasonable view of human consciousness, read Dennett's Consciousness Explained. While I have yet to discover the PERFECT book on consciousness, Consciousness Explained is a great start in the right direction towards a valid way to look at the issues.

Intriguing
First of all the book was copyrighted in 1976 and apparently first published in 1982. That is eons ago in the science of cognition and brain imaging. So I would like to know how the past 2 and a half decades have affected the theories in this book.

I also note that the author taught at Princeton University (he died in 1997), so his theories ought to have received a hearing. But apparently the follow-up book he intended was never published, and he was considered somewhat of a maverick, if not quite a crackpot. This website offers some perspective: http://www.julianjaynes.org

His theory, in simplest terms, is that until about 3000 years ago, all of humankind basically heard voices. The voices were actually coming from the other side of the brain, but because the two hemispheres were not in communication the way they are now for most of us, the voices seemed to be coming from outside. The seemed, in fact, to be coming from God or the gods.

So far, so good. That is certainly imaginable to most of us, because we know that schizophrenics and some others still hear voices in apparently this manner today.

But he also posits that many sophisticated civilizations were created by men and women who were all directed by these godlike voices. What is not very clearly explained (a serious gap in his theory) is how all the voices in these "bicameral civilizations," as he calls them, worked in harmony. But his theory is that ancient Greece, Babylon, Assyria, Egpyt, and less ancient but similar Mayan and Incan kingdoms were all built by people who were not "conscious" in our modern sense.

When one hears voices, whether then or now, the voices tend to be commanding and directive, and the need to obey them compelling. Free will is not possible. And so the people who built the pyramids were not self-aware as we are, did not feel self-pity, did not make plans, but simply obeyed the voices, which somehow were in agreement that the thing must be done.

Again, when he mentions that hypnosis may be triggering a reversion to a similar kind of consciousness, in which a voice, somehow channeled through the sub-conscious rather than the reasoning part of the brain, has an unusual compelling quality to it, and enables a person to do things that in their conscious analytic mind they are unable to do, we feel that we do have a glimmer that such a state of being is possible.

Of course, he connects these ideas to schizophrenia, seeing that as a throw-back to an earlier kind of mind-state, though now socially unacceptable and also unacceptable to its victim, who retains a remembrance of what it was to have control of his or her own mind.

He also sees prophets as remnants of the older mind, still able to hear the voices after most people had lost the ability. And he sees idol worship and modern religious behavior as both signs of a longing for the lost certainty and simplicity of a world in which decisions didn't have to be made, and all were of one accord as to what the gods wanted done.

I don't see much evidence for the pastoral simplicity which he thinks the bicameral mind lived in. But I do think that it is possible that not only ancient people but even many modern people have mind-experiences that are very different from our individualistic, introspective, self-determined ideas. In fact, I think relatively few human beings question and ponder and change belief systems as we might. The feeling of being adrift in a world that we can't understand, struggling with questions about everything, is far from universal, I think.

It is pertinent that he calls the shift from bicameral (two houses) to modern consciousness a "breakdown." He sees the shift as happening in response to crises and threats in the environment, but he doesn't present it as necessarily positive, and certainly not as pleasant to those living in its shadow. He sees the cries of the Jews and many other people for God to "rend the heavens and come down," to "not forsake them," as cried from people who no longer hear the "voices" that seemed to be the gods, and who desperately miss them.

In view of individuals such as Mother Teresa, who at one point had a clear inner sense of being directed by God (not necessarily actual auditory voices) and then lost that sense of presence and had to walk blindly thereafter (or silently would be a better metaphor), perhaps we would agree that the experience of the gods or God going silent not only happened at large in human history but is often recapitulated in individuals' personal history as well.

If Jaynes is on to something (and I think he is, though I think he may have pushed his "theory of everything" too far and lost scientific credibility), his theory does help us understand why there is a widespread belief that in Biblical times, God interacted with people in a very different way than He does now. The Bible, and other holy books as well, are remnants of a time when human beings own inner sense of right and wrong, clean and unclean, enemy and neighbor, were experienced as coming from outside of them, from disembodied voices that commanded great power. As the mind (or brain) developed, this split healed (or this mind broke down?) and this knowing become a still small voice in many people, and in others a resounding silence.

The question remains: should we take the reductionist view, and look at all religious ideas as merely misunderstandings based on schizophrenic-like delusions and hallucinations? Or should we take the view that God, who in times past spoke to us in fire and plague and audible voices (and later in dreams and visions) has now become one with humanity and speaks to us in the silence of our own hearts?

A fascinating book, raising as many questions as it answers, but well worth the reading.

breathtaking
I have just recently re-read Jaynes' book after reading it when it was first published. Though one's reading interests tend to change wildly over so long a period, I was surprised to find that the thesis of the book is still as compelling to me now as it was decades ago. This is an astonishingly creative, cross-disciplinary tour-de-force and the best book of its type that I have ever read.

The book is basically an elegant and meticulously detailed theory about the historical appearance in humans of what we call consciousness. The tough sledding referred to by many of the other reviewers, I think, is in his explication of what precisely consciousness IS, and how that differs from our common misconceptions about it. This part, admittedly, is no page- turner: I had to stop and think frequently just to make sense of what he was saying and trying to relate that to my own experience.

But the definitional foundation pays off as Jaynes places the origin of human consciousness into the historical timeline, and starts applying it to the ancient literature of the Old Testament and the Iliad, and to several curiosities in idols observed throughout the prehistoric world. This is the portion of the book that I found breathtaking. In particular, reading the Old Testament has a resonance for me that it never had before. As a modern skeptic, many of these stories were difficult for me to think about: there seemed to be no middle ground between thinking of the stories as cultural fabrications or else having to confront the odd hypothesis that they are records of a completely implausible reality. Now the stories are revealing in ways that I never would have imagined.

I do wonder if the intervening years have been kind to Jaynes' suppositions on the mechanics of the mind - especially his reliance on the (historically recent) emergence of bicamerality. If he is ultimately proved wrong in this respect, I think it doesn't detract at all from his central intellectual achievement. Because if the ultimate test for any theory is that it should explain the most phenomena in the simplest way, Jaynes' theory is a towering one. By simply asking us to accept a few counter-intuitive principles on the nature of our own minds, he provides a beautifully simply paradigm for some of the most intriguing oddities that hover around the dawn of our literature, religions, and cultural historical record. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not the best
We used this book in x-ray technology school and in preparation for the CT exam. The images are alright, although some of them are not the best quality. Also, by the time you get to the point of learning cross sectional anatomy you should have a deep knowledge of human anatomy, so I really don't see why the writer wasted so much useful space by writing about structure and physiology. I also didn't like the labeling, because instead of using numbers like most books do, they used abbreviations... kind of a give-away if you try to practice.

Not happy buying this book
In my opinion this book is too basic and may be suitable for a newly appointed technologists. For a professional radiologist who would be looking for a dependable book with good crossectional anatomy, it will not be ideal book to buy.

Sectional Anatomy and loving it
I am a professional speaker in cross sectional anatomy. I have used this book and the accompanying slides for years and I highly recommend it particularly if you need a review of anatomy. The images are clear and well labelled with very few ambiguities. There is also a smaller pocket study book available. Need to learn x-sectional anatomy? Get this book.

Helpful Guide for taking CT and MRI advanced certification
I'm an MRI/CT technologist, and have borrowed this book to study for the CT test. As an imaging professional, this was the most helpful of all the books geared towards cross sectional anatomy. I am now buying it in preparation for the MRI test, because it helped me so much the last time. The pictures are clear, the notes are to the point, and everything is shown in an orderly and easy to read manner. CT and MRI images are equally focused on, and the graphics are clear as to what they're indicating, unlike many other anatomy books. I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

ATP plays a central role in the two leading causes of cardiac morbidity and mortality in the western world: ischemia and heart failure. We are in our infancy applying what is known about biology and chemistry of ATP toward developing effective therapies for these diseases. In this volume, the current understanding of the chemistry and biology of ATP specifically in the cardiomyocyte is presented. New insights into ATP have been gleaned using biophysical techniques allowing dynamic measurement of chemical events in the intact beating heart and using new animal models in which cardiac proteins are either over expressed, deleted or harbor specific mutations.This book provides a summary of the basic understanding and includes illustrations of why ATP and the Heart is important to both the clinician and scientist. ... Read more

Book Description

With the growing size of the elderly population comes an increased interest in aging as a subject of research and study. Human Aging: Biological Perspectives is written for the one-quarter or one-semester introductory level course and is aimed at students with little or no science background. The main structure of the text follows a body systems approach. In addition to the introductory chapter and a chapter covering molecules, cells, and the theories of aging, each body system is covered in its own chapter. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the best text books I've read yet...
I have the new 5th edition. As a nursing student this text has been extremely easy to read and understand the concepts. It keeps you interested in the information with practical examples and lively dialogue and includes helpful memory tips. It also comes with a cd-rom and access to a web site that really help you study and review the material. My only complaint is the chemistry chapter (Chpt. 2) is a little long and dry but then that is probably due to the subject matter and not the author. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Anatomy
Good book for the basics. Very helpful for those who wouldlike to learn more about basic anatomy.

anatomy in a few words
This book was verey good for many of the areas that I wanted to learn about. It did lack a little in the basics and in defining word roots. over all this was one of the better anatomy books that I have used. ... Read more

Book Description

* The most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of the relationship of brain function and neuroactive chemicals
* Authors are world-known leaders in the field
* Molecular Neuropharmacology is the hot topic in medicine ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is your brain on drugs, endogenous or otherwise.
Anyone who wants an understanding of how the brain works at the molecular level should read this excellent, succinct text. I recommend it to anesthesiologists in particular since we parctice in brain-neuropharmacology daily.

Highly Recommended!
This book is well organized, well written, and very informative. If you're interested in neuropharmacology, you should definitely get this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Recognized for a practice-oriented approach to neurology based on the patient’s presenting symptoms or signs. This uniquely readable and concise book provides a strong foundation in basic neuroscience linking it to current approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders.Features new relevant web sites and a glossary as well as extensive use of charts and tables. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

great for beginning neurons
This book is excellent for a general overview of neurology. It's especially useful during first year call nights as well as neurology rotations. Though it does not delve deeply into most illnesses, it offers a substanial differential diagnosis to build upon despite lack of treatment recommendations. Very easy to read as well and convenient to carry.

good for the entry level clinician
This is a fine book for a clinician who is not at the entry level of competence. I recommend it for neurology interns and advanced medical students, mainly because there is not a better one in print. I think it lacks many therapeutic details, is too long for the student looking for a quick read power review, too limited for the advanced clinician.

An excellent introduction to Neurology
Aminoff et al have produced a very readable introduction to Neurology. Most chapters are exceedingly well written, for the 'introductory' level. The only criticism that I would make is that therapeutic details are slightly thin...if these areas are muscled out it would be nice.

Clinical Neurology
This book simplifies clinical neurology. I have read some books that are hard to understand. You will love neurology after reading this book. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Textbook of Anatomy-Hollingshead
The textbook is well organized. It proceeds from a general
introduction to a discussion of the study of anatomy,
connective tissue, the limbs, back, abdomen etc. The writing
is clear and understandable to a wide audience of readers.
Diagrams depict the various body parts . There is a
clear understanding of how the body parts are positioned
and how they cooperate in motion. Roentgenogram sights depict the
appearance of bone matter almost identically to the real x-ray
form. The work is formulated to satisfy a wide constituency of
readers i.e. students of the biological sciences, teachers,
students of radiology and the general public. The book is a
worthy addition to any science library.

Good book, but it needs a supplement
From the perspective a first year med student:
1. Great writing. Not as dry a writing style as other books I
have looked over.
2. Chincy on diagrams and charts. If you are expecting a
textbook with glossy pages filled with colour diagrams (this
book has neither), then either choose an other book or buy a
good supplement (like Rohen's Color Atlas of Anatomy).
3. I wouldn't say this is the best book for an intro to anatomy.
For example, in the section on "Terms of position, planes,
direction, and movement", there are no illustrations. If you
are a visual learner (as I am), then you may find this
frustrating.

A fine text
I had the pleasure of being a student of Dr. Rosse at the University of Washington. His text is organized in the same way that he teaches anatomy, emphasizing anatomical definitions and relationships in a structured and orderly manner. This edition also has great graphics that improve on prior editions. A fine addition to any medical library.

Polly A. Porter, MS, ATC , Physician Assistant student
This book is essential for medical students who want to conquer the basic educaiton in the health related profession- anatomy of the human body. It allows the student the ability to enter into the intrinsic areas of the body so he/she can develop an implicit and fully internalized understanding of the 3-D dynamic structure of the living human body.

I found it as an excellent guide in reference to surgery because I was able to acquaint myself to the structures in proximity to each other. It is however, not for the entry level student. It would be more suited for a cadaver class, as opposed to a first time look at the human body. It promotes anatomical reasoning , a cognitive process that relates to manifestations of normal and abnormal function to anatomical entities.

The book lacks a little in medical illustration but a supplement ( Netter's ) or a cadaver is a good addition to this text. It does combine photos, radiographs, and some fine detail illustrations, including cross-section anatomy. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent and well organized
This atlas is arranged and presented in a way that makes all of its information easily accessible and easy to find. All systems and structures of the human anatomy are shown in various formats, from cutaways to x-rays, with such a wide variety of helps that it's hard to imagine valid criticism. Tables, legends, indexes, brief verbal descriptions of the pertinent physiological functions, etc. It's practically impossible to get lost in this well-organized atlas, and beyond its obvious uses for medical students etc., it's an indispensible part of my library for transcription.

The best atlas for a student's needs
You couldn't ask more from an atlas. It has good drawings, radiographs, accompayning text, and muscle charts. The pictures are easy to follow, and don't crowd the structures with excessive labeling (Netter). What's the big deal with the beauty of his drawings anyway? I purchased a Clemente atlas without the CD and reccommend it that way unless you want to pay twice as much to have the same information in two forms.

The best atlas for a student's needs
Clemente took the best of what other's have drawn, and has put them together in this incredibly useful atlas. Everyone harps about Netter's. I agree that it is a good atlas, but Netter labeled way too many structures on many pictures and lacks prose to help explain the pictures. Additionally, Clemente included charts that group everything you need to know about a muscle (origin, action...) at the end of each section. By the way, why does it matter that Netter's pictures are so beautiful?

Who learns from pictures?
Criticising a book on the basis of the quality of its pictures should be restricted to art. "I'm sorry madam, I removed your son's tongue. It looked just like the tonsils in my anatomy picture book." (Get my point?) Pictures in texts are used to clarify text. When we take our head out of our, um book, thats when the learning starts. Oh by the way, about the book itself. The information contained in it is understandable. It is up to date. What little prose is in the text provides interest to a dry topic.

There are better atlases
It is a helpful atlas, but it is not the best available. In my opinion one of the best atlas you can buy is Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank H. Netter, M.D. The Clemente book is good because it gives descriptions on each plate, and there are tables that are very informative. However, the pictures are not always accurate and the labeling of structures is very limited. I bought the book with the CD-ROM and if I could I would give the CD about 2.5 stars. It is not worth the money. I was very dissapointed. If you want a more complete atlas, buy Netter(I would recommend the edition with the CD - it is very good)(Rohen-Color Atlas of Anatomy-is also VERY good). If you want a more introductory atlas for someone starting out in anatomy, Clemente will suffice. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed for the one-semester anatomy and physiology course, Hole's Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology assumes no prior science knowledge and supports core topics with clinical applications, making difficult concepts relevant to students pursuing careers in the allied health field. The unparalleled teaching system is highly effective in providing students with a solid understanding of the important concepts in anatomy and physiology. ... Read more

Book Description

This second edition of the Bone Mechanics Handbook summarizes the current understanding of bone mechanics with comprehensive coverage of the histology, physiology, and the cell and molecular biology of the bone. It is updated with the most recent advances on mechanical properties of the bone, most notably of cancellous bone, and the streaming potentials in the bone, which reflect the realization of the importance of fluid movement in bone tissue. ... Read more

Book Description

Racing the Antelope

"The human experience is populated by dreams and aspirations. For me, the animal totem of these dreams is the antelope, swift, strong, and elusive. we chase after 'antelope,' and sometimes we catch them. Often we don't. But why do we bother? I think it is because without dream 'antelopes' to chase we become what a lapdog is to a wolf. And we are inherently more like wolves than lapdogs, because the communal chase is part of our biological makeup."

In 1981, Bernd Heinrich, a lifelong runner, decided to test his limits at age forty-one and race in the North American 100-Kilometer Championship race in Chicago. To improve his own preparations as a runner, he wondered what he could learn from other animals--what makes us different and how we are the same--and what new perspective these lessons could shed on human evolution. A biologist and award-winning nature writer, he considered the flight endurance of insects and birds, the antelope's running prowess and limitations, the ultraendurance of the camel, and the remarkable sprinting and jumping skills of frogs. Exploring how biological adaptations have granted these creatures "superhuman" abilities, he looked at how human physiology can or cannot replicate these adaptations. Drawing on his observations and knowledge of animal physiology and behavior, Heinrich ran the race, and the results surprised everyone--himself most of all.

In Racing the Antelope, Heinrich applies his characteristic blend of scientific inquiry and philosophical musing to a deft exploration of the human desire--even need--to run. His rich prose reveals what endurance athletes can learn about the body and the spirit from other athletes in the animal kingdom. He then takes you into the heart of his own grueling 100-kilometer ultramarathon, where he puts into practice all that he has discovered about the physical, spiritual--and primal--drive to win.

At once lyrical and scientific, Racing the Antelope melds a unique blend of biology, anthropology, psychology, and philosophy with Heinrich's passion for running to discover how and why we run. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

interesting exploration of the biology of running
In "Racing the Antelope" (which has since been renamed "Why We Run"), Heinrich presents us with an exploration of the biological features that make running and other types of activity (for example sprinting, flying, and even marathon bouts of mating calls amongst male frogs) possible. He devotes the middle chapters of the book to individual animals (insects, birds, pronghorn antelopes, camels, frogs, dogs, cats, and more) and the biological characteristics which allow them to develop incredible endurance or speed.

The beginning and end of the book are concerned with the story of Heinrich's own experiences with running, an activity which has been for him an integral part of life. This autobiographical story is a bit disjointed, though. At the beginning of the book, we learn about the role running plays during Heinrich's childhood, through his school and college years, and on into graduate school. The end of the book details his preparation for, and participation in, a 100K race (62.2 miles). It is only at the end of the book that its structure becomes readily apparent. Preparation for the race is what ties everything together; Heinrich looked to the examples of the animals discussed in the middle of the book for ideas that would help him as he trained for his ultramarathon. I would liked to have seen the structure of the book be a bit more apparent to the reader throughout.

That said, this book is a nice overview of the incredible variety of--and potential for--endurance and speed present in animals (including humans) today. I read this book because I was looking for something to inspire and motivate my own running; this book isn't quite what I was looking for. However, once I finished it I found myself thinking about my running from a perspective I had not previously considered. Recommended for those with interests in biology, distance running, or both.

I'd Rather Eat Worms than Deplete
Anyone (like myself) who likes to run longer distances (and likes ~bugs~ to boot) will just plain enjoy reading about Heinrich's passion for the simple, elegant and primordial sport of running. Heinrich has woven his autobiography with scientific inquiry...his vocation (biology) is what gives this book about his avocation (running) an interesting bent. Heinrich talks about antelope, birds, toads, dogs and cats etc. and investigates what those animals can teach us about running, and what humans do or do not have in common with these animals regarding stamina, endurance, and even focus. I think that this book gives the reader / runner something to think about and be inspired by in an abstract way rather than serving as a ~step-by-step process~ on how to be a better runner. This is not some boastful read for the old-fart jock club (which by age I would qualify for), but an inspirational life story ~and~ scientific investigation regarding the human spirit, our primal / animal need to run (well, some of us anyway) and the drive to pursue our dreams (that goes for all of us!).

An Unique Perspective
This is a great little book. It's title doesn't fully convey the complete story which includes one man's quest for a life-time-in-the-making run.

While Bern Heinrich's description of his quest pertains to ultra-marathoning, I found the principles he brought out equally applicable to lesser efforts. His vignettes of the natural endurance abilities various animals and insects are useful to ponder as one tries to squeeze a little extra performance out of a marathon. I found his observations of mankind's natural abilities and their comparisons to wildlife very interesting. I also found his commentary of his thoughts and tactics in preparation for and during his actual 100k race identical to some that I've had during my own endurance runs.

All in all, a unique read for the experienced runner who doesn't need another "how to" book on running.

Distance Running
This was a thoughtful venture into the science of distance running. The authors presents us with this scientific material (the physiology of endurance running) in a digestable manner. His prose is excellent for a scientist.

Very entertaining book
I can't disagree with the other reviewers that say this book is original and intense. However, I'm struggling to find out how my running can benefit from Heinrich's advice. The problem I have with the book is that it's disorganized. It starts off comparing the physiology of animals and humans' running ability, and ends with Heinrich's triumph at the big ultramarathon. I'm not sure what message the author and publisher are trying to convey to me. I was totally enthralled though with the discussion of the physiology of animals. I guess I was hoping for more details on how a runner can best prepare for an ultramarathon. ... Read more

Book Description

Renowned for her effective learning systems, respected author Sylvia Mader has helped thousands of entry-level students understand and enjoy the principles of human anatomy and physiology. Mader expertly weaves up-to-date informative content with effective learning systems, piecing together the facts and fascination of human anatomy and physiology. With the fourth edition of Understanding Human Anatomy and Physiology, your introductory, one-semester students have the opportunity to experience an effective blend of up-to-date, informational content with several new features and an extensively enhanced multimedia support system. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

HARD TO FOLLOW AND UNORGANIZED
I purchased this book for an online course. Each new subject that the author would talk about would be scattered throughout the chapter instead of being in the near paragraphs to follow. I found myself shifting from one page to many pages away just to piece together what the subject was about. I found it to be unorganized. The book was very dry and could have been worded better. By the way the software it comes with is not all that. It's just a review with cheap graphics. Please by this book used, it's not worth your full dollar (even if it doesn't come with the CD's, there are web sites that can coach you with some pre-tests-provided by the book)

This was my Textbook in Massage Therapy school
This book covers the basics of Anatomy and Physiology for a student getting started. It is structured well, and is easy to skim through and find answers if you're looking for a specific question. Also, it's not so dry as some textbooks, so you don't fall asleep so easily while studying!

The best thing about this book is the CD Rom study guide. The study guide has an overview of the book, with pictures and video clips of computer animated sequences of cell function, muscle function, and many other things. It also has activities in which you click and drag answers for study sheets. At the end of each section there is a quiz, with randomly selected questions from the study material, and at the end of a chapter a unit exam. This helped me tremendously in preparing for tests. You can test yourself several times with differing tests(since the questions are random)and so be more prepared for your exams in class. ... Read more

Book Description

With an already established reputation for user-friendliness, the Seventh Edition of Clinical Anatomy for Medical Students increases embryology coverage for programs that incorporate the subject into anatomy, or where a separate embryology text isn't necessary. Known for its clear and consistent organization and concise writing, this text focuses on presenting anatomical information that is clinically relevant. The book's unified structure includes the following components in each chapter: Outline, Objectives, Basic Anatomy, Radiographic Anatomy, Surface Anatomy, Clinical Notes, Clinical Problem-Solving, and National Board-Type Questions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good, but not the best choice
This is good anatomy text - but by no means the best that is out there. Snell's diagrams are overly simplistic and often unclear as to the relation of other nearby structures. The text is accurate and very straightforward but lacking in some of the clinical applications. This volume is more suited for an undergrad anatomy class and even then I would suggest a different and more detailed text. Try Keith Moore's Clinical Anatomy it is far superior and will serve you better than this. Out of the dozens of various anatomy texts I own - this one comes off the bookshelf the least.

Excellent Text; Poor Diagrams
This standard anatomy textbook for medical students is really a useful studying guide for mastering the structures and functions of the human body. The text is very clearly written with detailed descriptions. The book doesn't let you just memorize the names for every bit of the flesh, but also the 3D arrangement of any tissue and organ! But the diagrams are simply hand sketches which make the book less interesting.

Very Descriptive
The sixth edition of "Snell's Clinical Anatomy for Medical Students" continues to provide readers with a thorough but appropriate degree of anatomical detail to be able to confidently conduct clinical practice. The current edition succeeds in virtually eliminating all extraneous details encountered with its predecessors, and now provides a much more streamlined, user-friendly format. Much emphasis has been placed on the inclusion of descriptive figures and tables where possible in order to minimize text as well as also being an advantage for study and review (especially the useful appendix section which nicely summarises the musculoskeletal system). Illustrations have received considerable improvement in the form of extensive use of colour and bold typing to facilitate easier interpretation. However, it is worth highlighting that the diagrams seem to provide an idealized view of human anatomy, rather than representing real dissections. As such, "Grant's Atlas of Anatomy" is perhaps a better companion in the dissecting room. Current diagnostic techniques such as CT scans, MRIs, sonograms and echocardiograms as well as labelled photographs of cross-sectional anatomy permeate the text, and reflect the expansion of technology in recent years. It is also pleasing to encounter more paediatric anatomy and embryology relevant to congenital defects which are subject areas often overlooked in anatomy books. Some of the more unique and agreeable features of Snell's Clinical Anatomy are the clinical notes and problem-solving sections at the end of each chapter which set Snell's text apart from other less clinically orientated anatomical books. Moreover, the presence of American National Board type questions also provide an effective means of self-testing. Overall, "Snell's Clinical Anatomy for Medical Students" is one of the most respected of all anatomy books, combining excellent descriptive detail with a ready accessibility that is often only found in essential revision texts

Very good
It is very precise and can help students understand clearly the anatomical structures and distinguish normal . Exercises at the end of the chapters are very helpful. ... Read more

Book Description

Approximately 250 pages shorter than standard Anatomy & Physiology books, this book is designed for courses that call for less in-depth coverage of chemistry, the special senses, pregnancy, heredity, and the developmental aspects of various body systems, while keeping basic themes, such as homeostatic imbalances, strategically in place. Marieb's instinct for providing colorful, dynamic explication of body system anatomy and physiology creates a focused presentation of basic principles.For college instructors and students. ... Read more