Essentials of Genetics

This is for people that want to learn the basics of genetics. It is a simple book with illustrations that you can find in any genetics book that has pictures. The written material is the same drab of any genetics book. Only buy this if you need it for a class. If you are getting it for a light read, get an older edition and save some money. YOu will get the same material that way.

PLEASE tell somebody to eliminate the "-P-S-" abbreviation! (Fig. 9-12B, p. 201) For years, I am fighting this imbecile representation of phosphate-sugar chain that persists in many, many textbooks, including Klug et al. Nobody should abbreviate sugar as S (especially after Hershey-Chase experiment explained a bit earlier). Ask the Chemistry department! "P" for phosphate is bad enough as well; so many students do not know the difference between phosphate and phosphorus! Also, on Fig. 10-8 deoxyriboses have two strange features: (a) they seem to miss C5' atom completely; (b) if P here is phosphate (-PO4), as I hope, then what is an extra oxygen doing here? Or "P" on Fig. 10-8 is different P from that on Fig. 9-10?

I took this course because it is a required course for my major. After getting into the first month of classes, I started to read the textbook. Genetics is a very interesting topic, and this book displays this. It breaks down concepts for the student to understand, and has great photos and figures. There are also one to two page "stories" which relate to the concept of the chapter at the end of each chapter. These are real stories of history or happenings of how Genetics has severely affected people. There is also a review and questions at the end of each chapter. Overall, I would give the book a four star rating.