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Neuroscience by Dale Purves is more oriented towards the biological aspect of neuroscience evident in their in dept analysis of neural signaling. Purves (and the other authors) spent a great deal on the action potential (how it was discovered / how it is created), ion channels, release of neurotransmitters, creation/function of major neurotransmitters, neurotransmitter receptors and the action of neurotransmitters in the first few chapters of the textbook. Following the initial exhausting background on neural signaling, Purves and the other authors focus on systems (eyes, pain, etc) and finally on complex brain functions (memory, learning, emotions, etc). I have only spent time in the first 8 or so chapters but I think the book is perfect for an introductory course in cellular neurobiology due to the amount of information presented as well as the placement of specific topics. The book has a fluid feel to it and it never feels as if the book is suddenly jumping from one topic to the next. Perhaps the best example on the validity of the textbook as an introductory textbook comes from the ability to read research papers in neurobiology. The course I am in has optional papers that one could read in order to supplement the material being covered. During the first week of instruction I was unable to understand a single topic of the articles. In fact, the only way I was able to decipher what the paper was talking about was through the title and the abstract. However after reading a few chapters in the book, the clarity of many of the papers has increased and although I am unable to understand every topic, the information I learned in the textbook has allowed me to keep up with the paper till the end. Granted I cannot now read papers and understand everything after reading this book, but thats not the point of the book; its to provide a basic understand of the brain and serve as a basis for more advanced graduate textbooks. The biggest complaint, however, is that the textbook DOES NOT provide any practice problems in the book thus neither confirming or disputing whether one truly knows the topics in the textbook or not. A final caveat is the fact that at times it feels as if it is impossible to follow the text. Some of the material is best viewed through pictures and the book tends to group all the pictures onto one page so one must consistently flip from one page to another to follow the text and the pictures. Although it is only a minor inconvenience, it has the tendency to get extremely annoying when one is already exhausted from studying for another class and has to do some reading in this textbook. Other than the minor annoyances mentioned earlier, I am extremely satisfied with this book and would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to anyone who has an interest in the the neurobiology of the brain, neurons in particular.Read full review
The book explains the material in an understandable fashion. I especially like the way it combines biology with physics. The book describes neurons as electrical circuits, which is helpful in understanding how they function. The book also describes various systems in the brain, such as vision, taste, smell, and sound. It also discusses how neural circuits are constructed and repaired and how they communicate. Lastly, it discusses of the regulation of bodily functions and emotions by the brain. This book provides great detail (the molecular bases, mechanisms of reaction) about each of the topics it discusses, and it is very helpful to have a strong background in biology and physiology. An extensive background is not necessary, as the book defines each term it introduces, but it doesn't give too much introduction into the material. It usually dives into the topic when the chapter begins. As it directly correlates with the material I am learning in an upper level undergraduate course, I have found this book to be very useful.Read full review
I bought this neuroscience book for my class. I like the fact that it has an online student companion that can help me in my studying like the animations and flashcards. It also comes with the program to help me study the brain and etc. The topics are nicely organized and laid out that makes it easier to understand as you go through the chapters. It also has articles in every chapter that features current studies to help relate the text topic in an actual situation. Great book!
I consider myself being lucky three times. Firstly, being on the other side of the earth, I managed to attend a course "Medical neuroscience" of Dr. Leonard White, Duke University, on Coursera. Second, according to a very reasonable price, even with the overseas transport costs, I got such a great textbook for this course. And third, with the help of unique personal code in textbook I managed to access the tutorial support program Sylvius for this course. Thanks to this support, people with an interest in the work of the brain and with a basic knowledge of biological may be competent in the areas of modern neuroscience.
The book was brand new, still in its pastic wrap, just like the vendor had described in its ad. The material is hard but the book seems to explain the material very well. I bought this book becuase it was cheaper than buying it at my school's bookstore.
