I challenging read, because it's a textbook and because it goes into excruciating detail about the chemistry of some biological processes. But there is a lot of information that is easier to read and take in, and I learned a lot about biology, even though the edition that I read is outdated and I probably need to read something that updates me about advancement in this field since then.
This is the text for the 200-level Principles of Biology series at my college. If you are taking these courses as prep for upper level biology or biochemistry, then pay attention!
* Be prepared to read. You will benefit from it. If you hate reading the book, then stop reading and focus on your lectures. Don't hate the book because you are uninterested in biology. I know a lot of people have to take biology even though they are not science majors. This book is geared towards science majors.
* This is a very thorough biology book that goes beyond the level of knowledge you need for a 200-level biology course. Still, it has a lot of very good material on a vast number of topics. There is good introductory exposure to how a lot of our big advancements in biology were first discovered through research and how they set up their experiments.
* Sections of this book, such as DNA, RNA, and the nervous system, are very comparable to my Lehninger's biochemistry text. Granted, Lehningers goes deeper, but Freeman is on his heels. Paying attention now will pay off immensely later on if you are pre-med or biochemistry.
I have come to respect this book for trying to present advanced topics in a way that is still accessible to lower level college students. It is my experience that many people do not understand a whole lot from science textbooks. If you don't get it, then don't feel bad. It isn't necessarily easy. Keep trying, and you'll keep learning.
I really, really, really like this book. As a person that finds science textbooks to be a little intimidating with all of the concepts. like woah science !! I find this book to be more my style. I like that the headings are in question format and there are also highlighted areas of importance. The best part of thid book are the pictures very nice and the questions that are randomly placed. I don't know anyone that reads a biology book like its a classic novel. Its a book you can snuggle up too..lol
Gosh, I hate this book. I borrowed it from a friend who, while studying, was so frustrated he stabbed the book multiple times with a letter opener. I don't blame him. I hated the class to. Such a drag and I constantly fell asleep. So glad it's behind me now!
One of the best textbooks in biology I have encountered thus far. I actually took one of Dr. Freeman's intro to bio course in uni and he made the reading material far more interesting. I suppose some textbooks need to be coupled with an excellent professor to prove to be an astounding text.