Stryer'sBiochemistry(3rdEd): The Big Blue Book

A jaunt down memory lane...

Ah, memories of undergraduate science courses and first-semester medical school biochemistry lectures. How they come pouring back when I glance at that bold, bright blue behemoth on the bottom shelf of the bookcase, Stryer's Biochemistry! Like all basic science texts, it was outdated the day it was printed, but it has always been a valuable resource, and I'm certain that I would never consider parting with it (unless my daughter decides to follow in my footsteps).

Hemoglobin, hemoglobin everywhere, and not a drop to drink...

I remember long nights of reading about the structure and function of hemoglobin from this book (an image of hemoglobin adorns the front cover, and a whole chapter is devoted to it within), and I still use this as a reference for teaching medical students and residents. It is the best resource I've found (outside of books devoted specifically to the subject) about one of Life's most important molecules. Certainly, it's the most readable and best illustrated.

Target audience?

You won't find many of these on beach blankets during summer, unless the beach is near Woods Hole, Scripps, the Rockerfeller Institute, NIH or your local medical school. No, Stryer's Biochemistry will most often be found directly under the head of a sleeping undergraduate biochemistry or chemistry major, covered with coffee stains and Smartfood crumbs, highlighted in (at least) four colors, and otherwise treated with love.

Enjoy...