Intro Book Recommendations?

[jparsenal87]

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Hey,

This may be a very broad/general/unclear question, but hopefully you guys can give me some recommendations. I am really just starting to take some science classes, and thinking Med School *might* be in my future. Basically, I was wondering if anyone could recommend some introductory (read: not too advanced, that a newcomer could read and get something out of) books in the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy/physiology, etc. I am open to pretty much anything.

Really, I am just asking, if you were to start down the road to medicine again, what books would you read? If you'd like me to clarify what I'm looking for, I'll definitely try. thanks so much!!

 

[aSagacious]

Just so I can focus my response appropriately, are you trying to:

1) Gauge your aptitude for science classes
2) Learn about the required schooling and/or work environment of a doctor

If choice 1:
Bio --> "Bio" by Reece
Physio --> "Human Physiology" by Vander
Chem --> "Fundamentals of general, organic, and biological chemistry" by McMurry
Anatomy --> They're all pretty much the same (and very dry)

If choice 2:
"Better: A surgeon's notes on performance" by Gawande
"The making of a surgeon" by Nolen
... or just check out this thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=752061&highlight=books

 

[PiBond]

Here's a few suggestions of books I liked that are medicine related:

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Seven Daughters of Eve by Bryan Sykes
Complications by Atul Gawande
Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
Heart Matters by Kathy Magliato
Genius on the Edge by Gerald Imber

 

[slatermd]

I haven't used these books myself, but some people have told me they like the "Demystified" series (Biology Demystified, Physiology Demystified, etc.)

I have also seen some Schaum's Outlines that are pretty good. My best advice is to go to a borders or B&N and actually look through as many books as you can before buying. Preferences vary so widely that some people will tell you they love a given book/author but eventually someone else will chime in and say they hate it.

 

[jparsenal87]

Just so I can focus my response appropriately, are you trying to:

1) Gauge your aptitude for science classes
2) Learn about the required schooling and/or work environment of a doctor

Um, probably more towards the first. I mean, I am going to start taking the pre-med reqs this summer officially, although i have some science background from some time ago (5's on AP Bio, AP Chem, and AP Physics), but really I just want to engage with the material I will be studying going forward. The books about the work environment of a doc I figure are probably more appropriate once I get down the line of pre-reqs a little bit.

Thanks for the recs! I'd love to keep hearing them!

 

[Pons Asinorum]

if you were to start down the road to medicine again, what books would you read?

If you really think medicine might be what you want, I recommend these...
http://www.amazon.com/Examkrackers-...8499/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299005258&sr=8-1

Just saying.