Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine: Companion Handbook

This book is a medical tradition, and it is as important to doctors as their stethoscope. It is very complete, there is no doubt about it. Every subject of medicine is covered, and for a reference book is a must-have. It is also written in an easy-to-read way, but some chapters are more difficult to understand than others, and like a good meal, in excess it can get heavy and occasionally become a brick, so slow-reading is advised. Also worth to mention are the atlases, that give a lot of pictographic information.I would recommend it only as a reference book, because for the USMLE, or as a course textbook, it is impossible to read it all, especially if time is scarce.

Especially for the medical students it's important to carry a reliable handbook in ER or such places.The size and weight of this book make this quite easy.

I have been using the Harrison's since my 2nd year in Medical School. It has been a great store of information. Harrison's is a essential for Residents in Internal Medicine.The 14 Edition is even better. Chapter on AIDS and HIV is fantastic.

I've been in this field as a Nurse Practitioner for over 16 yrs. The text is certainly the "Gold Standard" for General Medicine. Excellent in Emergency Medicine, Primary Care and Family Practice. A must have for your medical library.

This book is the Bible of Internal Medicine. Anyone considering a career in medicine should have this book in their library. Comprehensive and well written, it is the gold standard of medical textbooks.