Principles of Neural Science (Principles of Neural Science (Kandel)) by Eric R. Kandel Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Principles of Neural Science (Principles of Neural Science (Kandel))
Book Review: essential text
Summary: 5 Stars
This text (or perhaps an earlier edition) was a lifeline for me for many years as a undergraduate and postgraduate student of psychology (with semester units in neurophysiology and neuroanatomy). It was completely perfect in that it covers the fundamentals of neuroscience in slightly more detail than one needs (unlike most textbooks which always seem to do everything in slightly less detail). Just like you always feel that you have to be clutching a calculator when you're studying physics, so you need this for any kind of neural science studying. It has clear, lavish pictures and everything is thorough and easy to understand.And, oh boy, what a Book! You really feel that you've got something for your money. It's hefty, it's intellectual, and it looks damned good on the bookshelves. The paper is glossy, everything's set out well, and you feel good every time you refer to it.
When I was a student, my general principle was to BUY NO TEXTBOOKS, and this one was very expensive for me at the time, but it was worth it. Probably the most valuable book I had in all my 8 years of formal studying. It contained everything I needed in terms of information on this topic, and on the rare occasions when I had to go further into something, there were very useful references at the end of every chapter.
I strongly recommend it. You'll use it for years, and when it's time to move on, it'll be easy to sell.
Book Review: For a required textbook not bad, as reference not organized!
Summary: 4 Stars
The University of Pittsburgh Neuroscience department uses this book as one of it's main textbooks. It is an interesting book, and one that I've used for years. This edition is in keeping with the other editions of the book, meaning, it is just as disorganized by chapters and topics as it always was. Even though many of the individual chapters are well-written and interesting, I get the feeling the whole thing was thrown together as fast as they could get it out. Many times when I am looking up information, I can't even go to a specific chapter and be sure I'll find it there...I have to use the index in the back of the book. That is okay, but it is time-consuming and I think that students and educators would be better served if the book were more carefully organized. It should be remembered that writing a book for Neuroscience is difficult at best, because the information changes at least every three months...so by the time a textbook gets to print, some of what they have said is already out of date. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, klsst23@pitt.eduBook Review: An Excellent Basic Text
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is for those who already have some knowledge of the fundamentals of neuroanatomy. It is clearly written and beautifully illustrated.Book Review: Neuroscience classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book in medical school. Although I would agree that it is probably to basic science oriented for a medical school neuroscience course, it was enjoyable, thorough, and inspirational. There are few books in my life that took as complex a topic as how the brain works and made it comprehensible. It is not a crib sheet for passing medical school exams. It is the first book I would recommend for anyone seriously interested in an understanding of the brain, sensory processes, etc... For anyone for whom a fundamental grounding in neuroscience is important this is the book.Book Review: keep looking
Summary: 2 Stars
As a neuroscience graduate student, I was extremely excited to read this book and to keep it as a reference but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations for either task. Given Kandel's outstanding contributions to our understanding of learning, I hoped his book would have similar standards. Most notable of several flaws is that the individual chapters, each being individually authored, were poorly edited and did not provide an integrated picture of the field. Further, some graphs were mislabeled, and in several chapters, this text engaged in the annoying practice of introducing and using new terminology early on and then defining this jargon at the end of the chapter. The material on vision was thorough but audition and the vestibulochlear systems were very skimpy. If you are interested in learning anything about motor systems, I'd recommend you pass this book up for Michael Zigmond's Fundamentals of Neuroscience.