 2005-02-20 - 2.5 stars - an update of a classic, but buyer beware
This is a wonderful reference. But when I got hold of this latest edition of the Rat Nervous System, I was surprised and very disappointed to find that the chapter on the amygdala was referencing figures in the 2nd edition, rather than reprinting them here. For me, it meant the trouble of getting both editions through interlibrary loan. But if I had bought this latest edition, for this price, I would have been very upset to find essential figures missing.
It depends on your needs. I'm learning to parcellate the amygdala and need access to good figures to do so. I'm sure the editors had to make difficult decisions, given the weight and humongousness of this book, but if you're thinking of getting it as a practical reference tool, preview it in a library first to make sure it hasn't cut out anything you need from earlier editions. Otherwise, what a rip off.
 2004-09-17 - Not good enough to cost this much!!!
Consider the following: if you buy four copies of this book you will have spent ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. It better be high quality: great editing, beatiful figures, great writing, great references.
Unfortunately, this book does not merit the ridiculous price tag. For one, they need to hire a good copy editor. The opening line of the preface is, "The study of the structure of the nervous is a key to understand its function." This is indiciative of a generally choppy, rushed, and infelicitious writing style that obviously resulted from lack of a good editor.
Some of the figures are great, but figures are inconsistent from chapter to chapter. Some look like they were made in Power Point in 4 minutes, some even look like they were made in the 1970s by photographing a photograph that had labels on it! You'd think, at $250 a pop, the publisher would have hired some professional scientific illustrators.
The book is indeed comprehensive, though, and each chapter has good reference lists. Go to your library and photocopy what you need. Maybe it is because I am a graduate student with no money, but I am insulted and disappointed that the publisher wants so much for such a sub-par book.
 2001-08-07 - Most comprehensive book I know
The organization of this book, each structure having its own chapter, makes it easy to find information about any brain area. Authorities of each field contributed an introduction to the structure and a description of the morphology and activity of the cells, but then further elaborated on substructures.It is heavy and expensive, but it is a must-have for people who need a reference book that has reviews on all areas of the rat brain.
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