The Best Textbook On Every Subject - Make A Recommendation!

[EastofEden]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Less Wrong, a blog about rationality which I follow, recently began a community effort to identify the best textbook for each subject area: http://lesswrong.com/lw/3gu/the_best_textbooks_on_every_subject/

I think if SDN were to compile such a list, it would be very useful for the community here. Although pure science textbooks are likely most relevant to pre-medical interests, feel free to recommend textbooks in other subject areas! I am sure there are other autodidacts out there like me who are interested in studying some subjects independently.

The Rules:

1. Give the title and author of your favourite textbook on a subject.
2. Also identify the subject area - it may be narrow or broad, but make sure that it accurately describes the textbook.
3. To make a recommendation, you must have used, and ideally read entirely, two other books on the subject.
4. Briefly name the other books on the subject which you have read, and explain why you feel your chosen book is indeed best. Be as explicit as possible.

* If you feel so inclined, a link to Amazon may be helpful for others.

That's it!

Some subject areas to think about:
- Introductory Chemistry
- Introductory Biology
- Introductory Physics
- Organic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Calculus
- Statistics
- all the medically-relevant "ologies" - Histology, Microbiology, Immunology, Physiology, Pathology etc. etc.

And some non-premed specific:
- History of Philosophy
- Cognitive Science
- Music Theory
- Microeconomics
- Personal Finance
- Western Literature
- Fiction Writing
- Introductory to any social science - Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, etc.
- anything you can think of




This initiative has the potential to assist many students in their intellectual and academic endeavours, but its end value will be limited by SDN's participation. So, please, if you have a great textbook to share, chime in!

 

[VikingLegacy]

.

 

[EastofEden]

...The one your professor is teaching from.

Having suffered through some awful undergraduate science textbooks, I respectfully disagree.

While it may be best to use the textbook assigned to a course while you are IN the course, many of us would like to know the *best* book, perhaps because we want a supplement to the assigned book, because we are not taking a class on the subject, or because we are studying for the MCAT, GRE, etc.

Often a good text (in lieu of in-course instruction) is the difference between a cursory and a deep understanding of the subject matter on hand.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

...perhaps because we want a supplement to the assigned book...

How many people own multiple $200+ texts for undergraduate courses? The marginal cost for increased understanding from having a second textbook has to be pretty steep.

 

[hopki099]

I rarely read textbooks. Just studying off of lecture slides has worked pretty well for me. And I agree that the best is the one your professor teaches from since that is what you will be tested from...

 

[Spin]

Orson Scott Card has some great books on writing fiction. This one is particularly good: http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Fiction-Writing-Characters-Viewpoint/dp/0898799279
Elements of Fiction Writing - Characters & Viewpoint, by Orson Scott Card

As far as biology goes, Campbell Biology is probably the best. I haven't read the most recent addition, but it's a revised version of Campbell and Reece biology, which was really good. http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Biol...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295633135&sr=1-1

Finally, David Shaffer and Katherine Kipp's Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence is the best book I've ever read regarding the development of children and adolescents. I think that the chapter(s) on different parenting styles should be mandatory reading for any present or future parent. http://www.amazon.com/Developmental...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295633587&sr=1-1

 

[Scottydsntkno15]

Organic Chemistry, Carey,7th Edition

Thank god for you... thank god

 

[NickNaylor]

I really don't understand why people use textbooks other than the ones their professors use. Seems like an all-together bad idea to me.

 

[Kalyx]

Organic Chemistry, Carey,7th Edition

Thank god for you... thank god

Oh man, I thought the Carey textbook was awful! I much preferred Wade.

 

[EastofEden]

Orson Scott Card has some great books on writing fiction. This one is particularly good: http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Fiction-Writing-Characters-Viewpoint/dp/0898799279
Elements of Fiction Writing - Characters & Viewpoint, by Orson Scott Card

As far as biology goes, Campbell Biology is probably the best. I haven't read the most recent addition, but it's a revised version of Campbell and Reece biology, which was really good. http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Biol...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295633135&sr=1-1

Finally, David Shaffer and Katherine Kipp's Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence is the best book I've ever read regarding the development of children and adolescents. I think that the chapter(s) on different parenting styles should be mandatory reading for any present or future parent. http://www.amazon.com/Developmental...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295633587&sr=1-1

Thanks for the contribution. I would definitely be interested in checking out the textbook on Developmental Psychology.

With regards to cost, I often borrow textbooks from the library (especially if they are to be used as assigned textbook supplements), or buy them used. There are definitely some good deals to be had on the internet if you are willing to do some digging.

Again, let me reiterate that some students want textbooks for subjects which they are not currently studying in any formal setting, so that they don't have a currently assigned textbook or lecture slides.

 

[EastofEden]

I really don't understand why people use textbooks other than the ones their professors use. Seems like an all-together bad idea to me.

For many courses, using a different textbook would indeed be a very bad idea! For a course in the social sciences, for example, I would always rely solely on the assigned text. However, for something like organic chemistry, which necessarily doesn't vary that much in terms of what is taught and which can be conceptually confusing to students, having recourse to a clear and concise textbook may make a big difference.

I would never replace an assigned text with one of my own choosing, so we are in agreement there!

 

[Narmerguy]

I really don't understand why people use textbooks other than the ones their professors use. Seems like an all-together bad idea to me.

I seriously thought the same thing until I read Wade for Organic Chemistry in preparation for organic 2 (I had used another book for organic 1)...the difference was insane. I literally went from being middle-ish to one of the best chemistry students in the class because I understood all the concepts so much better (I only used Wade to review the organic 1 material, went back to class's text for the organic 2 material).

Seriously, the difference was nuts. There are some really crappy books out there and the only reason our school was using the one we did was because one of the professor's here had a connection with the author.

 

[Signifier]

For biological physics, Philip Nelson's Biological Physics is absolutely remarkable (one of the best textbooks I've read in any subject).

 

[EastofEden]

I seriously thought the same thing until I read Wade for Organic Chemistry in preparation for organic 2 (I had used another book for organic 1)...the difference was insane. I literally went from being middle-ish to one of the best chemistry students in the class because I understood all the concepts so much better (I only used Wade to review the organic 1 material, went back to class's text for the organic 2 material).

Seriously, the difference was nuts. There are some really crappy books out there and the only reason our school was using the one we did was because one of the professor's here had a connection with the author.

Exactly my sentiment. I'm in a non-traditional major and a Canadian, so I have not and will not take organic chemistry before medical school. So I am in the market for an excellent organic chemistry to prepare myself for the MCAT.

A question for you, though. I was reading the Amazon reviews for the latest edition of Wade's Organic Chemistry, and one reviewer said that the first 15 chapters were brilliant, but the second half of the book simply listed the reactions instead of explaining them. Did you find this also? Or would this not matter since only Org I material is covered on the MCAT?

 

[blackarrowmoose]

okay i dont see why everyones being a pain in the ass; if you don't have a suggestion to make why post? OP's trying to do something good here.
Also the reason why people go get another book other than the one their professor uses is because not every book is good at teaching you every subject. very rarely can you find a text that covers every concept in a fashion that you can learn well from.

My Bio book for BIO I, II. Best bio book ever, very detailed and modern.

Life: The science of Biology, David Sadava

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Science-Biology-David-Sadava/dp/1429219629

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Or would this not matter since only Org I material is covered on the MCAT?

That is quite false. However, the second semester material builds off the "explanations" from first semester material. I thought the explanation of the second half of the book completely adequate, and I agree that the Wade book is quite good; we used the 7th ed. for both semesters.

 

[PrettyFishy]

Exactly my sentiment. I'm in a non-traditional major and a Canadian, so I have not and will not take organic chemistry before medical school. So I am in the market for an excellent organic chemistry to prepare myself for the MCAT.

A question for you, though. I was reading the Amazon reviews for the latest edition of Wade's Organic Chemistry, and one reviewer said that the first 15 chapters were brilliant, but the second half of the book simply listed the reactions instead of explaining them. Did you find this also? Or would this not matter since only Org I material is covered on the MCAT?

I actually really loved Wade's Orgo textbook. I even used it for orgo 2 when the professor didn't use wade and also used some other lame book. I feel that the reactions in the later chapters are well explained, and you intuition from orgo 1 (aka the first half of the book) really helps a lot as well. I had no problem learning all the complex reactions of carboxylic acids, aromatics, etc from this book. Org II material may pop up on the MCAT though, but any review course books will teach you the basics of what you need to know (focus on aromatics, and maybe a few basic RXNs of oxygen-bearing hydrocarbons)

Campbell' Biology is awesomeness personified.
Molecular Cell Biology is a good cell bio textbook (by Lodish I think?)
Intro to Genetic Analysis (the one with butterflies on the cover) is also cool

 

[Signifier]

I also highly recommend Peter Russell's iGenetics: A Molecular Approach.

 

[Mbeas]

okay i dont see why everyones being a pain in the ass; if you don't have a suggestion to make why post? OP's trying to do something good here.

See:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=789987

My contribution: Anatomy and Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function by Kenneth Saladin (5th edition)

 

[Dannyw]

Calculus: James Stewart, Single Variable Essential Calculus: Early Transcendentals
economics: mankiw

 

[Evergrey]

Oh man, I thought the Carey textbook was awful! I much preferred Wade.

Wade is awesome! He's from my undergrad (retired now) 🙂 Awesome orgo book, highly recommended.

 

[halterst]

The Biology of Cancer, Robert A. Weinberg. Fascinating book, really well written. Came with a sweet poster too.

 

[StudyShy]

Calculus: James Stewart, Single Variable Essential Calculus: Early Transcendentals
economics: mankiw

I own several editions of that book. I liked it that much. 😀

Campbell's Biology: Concepts and Connections

Seed's Foundations of Astronomy 😍

Standage's A History of the World in 6 Glasses (World History)

 

[Narmerguy]

Exactly my sentiment. I'm in a non-traditional major and a Canadian, so I have not and will not take organic chemistry before medical school. So I am in the market for an excellent organic chemistry to prepare myself for the MCAT.

A question for you, though. I was reading the Amazon reviews for the latest edition of Wade's Organic Chemistry, and one reviewer said that the first 15 chapters were brilliant, but the second half of the book simply listed the reactions instead of explaining them. Did you find this also? Or would this not matter since only Org I material is covered on the MCAT?

I would agree that the degree of separation between the second half of this book from the second half of other textbooks didn't blow me away the first half did, but that's not really a knock against it. Cover to cover it's the best one you can get and the first few chapters really are solid gold.

But just so you know, Org II material is also covered on the MCAT.

 

[g8orlife]

...Or would this not matter since only Org I material is covered on the MCAT?

As Narmerguy mentioned, Organic 2 is also covered on the MCAT.

 

[deleted357625]

How many people own multiple $200+ texts for undergraduate courses? The marginal cost for increased understanding from having a second textbook has to be pretty steep.

Agreed.
yea it's too expensive, why get another book on top of the book you need for your course.

I payed $500+ alone on books for this semester...i don't think i would want anything on top of that hah

 

[theWUbear]

I love lippencott's biochem and http://www.themedicalbiochemistrypage.org

 

[Isoprop]

they need review books for undergrad classes like they do for med school classes. outline/brs style with questions. would've saved so much friggin time.

 

[gettheleadout]

they need review books for undergrad classes like they do for med school classes. outline/brs style with questions. would've saved so much friggin time.

There are just too many classes to undertake making review books for them all... Some publisher could just do core science classes, but then the books would just be the EK content series 😉

 

[CarlATHF]

For Cell Biology: Molecular Biology of the Cell, by Alberts.

 

[AH3]

More of a lecture notes guy myself, but Kuby Immunology was a great textbook. Molecular Biology of the Gene was pretty good for genetics (one of the authors was James Watson, as in Watson and Crick, so that's pretty cool).

 

[Malice]

For cooking, pick up a copy of Natural Harvest - A Collection of Semen-Based Recipes by Fotie Photenhauer.

Link: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/natural-harvest---a-collection-of-semen-based-recipes/5198959

"Semen is not only nutritious, but it also has a wonderful texture and amazing cooking properties. Like fine wine and cheeses, the taste of semen is complex and dynamic. Semen is inexpensive to produce and is commonly available in many, if not most, homes and restaurants. Despite all of these positive qualities, semen remains neglected as a food. This book hopes to change that. Once you overcome any initial hesitation, you will be surprised to learn how wonderful semen is in the kitchen. Semen is an exciting ingredient that can give every dish you make an interesting twist. If you are a passionate cook and are not afraid to experiment with new ingredients - you will love this cook book!"

At $24.95, it's a steal.

 

[circulus vitios]

General Chemistry: General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts by Chang.

Pretty much every other book for any other class I've taken has been absolute ****. Kind of sad, really.

 

[Long Way to Go]

Less Wrong, a blog about rationality which I follow

Derailing the thread a bit, but do you follow Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality?