Biochemistry

Alexander C Brownie and John C Kernohan
Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1999; £15.95
ISBN: 044305693

Churchill's "mastery of medicine" series continues with this simple but effective textbook. The topics are set out from a systems based outlook. So at least when attempting to learn the biochemistry of the endocrine system, I learn just that. With medical students in mind, it also provides information applicable from a clinical scenario. Which means there are far fewer pathways to learn-hoorah! Yet for me the best parts of the book were the self assessment multiple choice questions and questions with short answers at the end of each section. These not only enforced what I had learnt from the concise text and numerous diagrams, but they also allowed me to appreciate the level of understanding required for that topic. The explanations were comprehensive but easy to understand, with particular attention being paid to developing the reasoning behind specific pathway routes.

The short clinical notes at the end of each chapter were another neat extra, providing good examples of how to use your new vocabulary in real clinical situations, rather than when just showing off to your friends. My only criticism would be the fairly dull and uninspiring presentation of the book. They say that dark grey and silver are the new colours for men this season, but I doubt that this applies to textbooks, especially those concerning biochemistry.

A very good book that certainly answers a lot more questions than it asks. Effectively produced with medical students in mind, but make sure you buy plenty of multicoloured pens to help stimulate the visual cortex.

Rameen Shakur, second year medical student,, University of Sheffield


studentBMJ 2000;08:131-174 May ISSN 0966-6494