Biochemistry, 2nd Edition

As an undergraduate in search of a definitive text for my introductory biochemistry courses, I had no choice but to acquire the third edition of this book, since Dr. Stryer was not only an instructor for several of my classes, but his text was also the required text for the most popular biology course! But even if I had not been pressured to acquire the text, I would have sold all my other books in order to get this one alone. I still recall being astounded by the impressive and eclectic range of ideas in the book, which encompasses not only biochemistry but also illustrative thoughts and asides from literature, art, and music. How many biochemistry texts have in their indexes references to Shakespeare, Ecclesiastes, J.S. Bach (unfortunately missing in the newest edition) and Leonardo DaVinci, or pictures of Greek amphorae juxtaposed with molecular models and organic chemistry diagrams? If one ever had the misfortune to be stranded on a deserted island with one book, this would be a fine choice-what is more, the brightly colored red and gold cover would certainly make a useful signal beacon to one's rescuers. The detail, clarity and rigor of writing in this text surpasses that found in any other book I have ever seen, and furthermore, the book is downright entertaining if one pays attention to the interesting anecdotes and metaphors. The new edition has been extensively reorganized and complemented with a series of computer-generated molecular models in order to better demonstrate the nuances of structural biology. Of course, a good amount of information (with accompanying references) has been added to cover the seven years since the last revision. Readers of past editions are sure to find much that is new in all parts of the book; indeed, the organizational scheme has been changed so that most of the material on proteins and on nucleic acids is in self-contained chapters of the book, rather than spread around throughout. One hopes that future efforts will continue on the part of Dr. Stryer until he achieves Tai T'ung's goal of the "perfect book."