The thin, useful red book has been altered significantly in the green book. Keep in mind it was black first, blue second, so only this 4-year med student class knows it as the red book.
First, the pages got glossier. Makes it harder to write notes in and it makes the pages larger. I suppose they were going for "durability" but it makes it painful to read. The weight change is insignificant
Second, they added some details, and some pictures. The details are all evidenced-based stuff that really confounds the simplicity for which it was known for. Really, there isnt that much that has changed, but they have added some sections (one on liver pathology). The pictures are cool to have, but honestly, how many times have you seen syphilis, seborrheic keratosis, or a lobar pneumonia that looks like the "ideal" image? That, and they put the index BEFORE the images, meaning you actually have to move the index or tab it to readily access it.
Third, everything is green. Green is an awful color. Its that dark hunter green. So now its green, black, and white. The natural contrast of red and black served to highlight headings and label tables is gone, further making it an eyesore.
Honestly, for any medical student, the red book is far more than sufficient. If you see residents and some attendings now, they have their blue book. Whatever mild changes got made really dont make up for the eyesore and the 50 dollar cost.
I bought it, but use the red book still.
Just my 2 cents.
