The
BRS Physiology book is certainly no replacement for Guyton & Hall when first learning the material, as it is simply a review book and presents the topics without explanation behind them. I think that particular book is helpful during coursework to help you focus on the major points that are likely to be hit during tests and are high yield to store long-term for Step 1. It's also helpful to annotate the book while you are studying for the class so that you have your own extra notes for board review next year.
Her larger
Physiology text is not a review book, and could easily replace Guyton & Hall in your studies. I enjoyed it quite a bit more because it was far more concise (i.e. did not explain technical methods used in physiology research) and the figures were much more clear and were devoid of the unnecessary information found in Guyton and Hall as a result of them replicating most of their figures from actual research studies. Costanzo chooses to present simplifed figures of the "model" physiological system, and I found that much easier to digest and retain for exams.
I would check Costanzo out from your library before choosing to replace Guyton & Hall though...I have classmates that still swear by Guyton & Hall and claim it to be the most amazing textbook they have ever used. I agree that it is a good text, but for my purposes as a medical student and not a budding physiologist or researcher, I found it far too frustrating to be reading some 100 pages on digestive physiology when I felt it could be covered adequately in far less space.
