The wording packs so many ideas at once that it's hard to grasp. You'd have to parallel read with something like wiki (e.g. see The Gate Control Theory in wiki as opposed to ch 49(?)...so much easier--even comes with a diagram). But once you read that, the thorough text can be broken down for more information. ---edit..i just noticed i may have been and most likely was thinking about "Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States", 8th Edition. nevermind :-)....micro was an easy read.
I am actually taking this class from the people who wrote the book, but this is a very good text book. It reads well, the diagrams really support the reading material, it provides great examples, and it builds on itself as you proceed through the chapters. I took a Micro class in the past with a different book and this book is significantly better. Definitely go with the international version - you will save a lot of money and it is exactly like the hardback text (I compared them).
I bought this on ebay because it was cheaper than the bookstore on campus... i haven't started class yet so not sure if book is easy to follow. I scanned through the chapters and it looks like it would be though. I was a little disappointed because there isn't a CD-rom but there is a website that you have to create an account. However, I have to wait for the first day of class to get some info from instructor to login in. Overall, I am happy with my purchase!
The international version, although cheaper, has a disclaimer on the front cover that explains that there are differences between the international version and the north american version, I do not know what these differences are. I am hoping that the differences will not affect my performance in microbio.
The book is fine. International editions are great because they are 99% the same as the USA versions. I would recommend a hardcover over the paperback because the big book is pretty floppy, and I find hardcover books of this size easier to deal with (backpack, reading in bed, etc.)
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