As long as it says “Biochemistry Book” on the cover page, it should be good to go – Is that how you select your textbooks? If yes, you are making a colossal blunder. In our experience and belief, you cannot go with the first book you see in a bookstore or on the shopping sites, especially if you intend to excel in Biochemistry.
So, to help simplify the task for you and ensure you pass with flying colors, our team researched and deeply analyzed different books available out there. On the basis of our research, we have shortlisted the top eight best biochemistry books based on their learning outcomes and reviews. Let us get started and address these best biochemistry textbooks one by one.
Top Eight Best Books To Study Biochemistry
- Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 8th Edition
- Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level 5th Edition
- Biochemistry First Edition
- Biochemistry 6th Edition
- Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry Thirty-First Edition 31st Edition
- Biochemistry Second Edition
- Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations 7th Edition
- Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry (Lippincott Illustrated Reviews Series) Eighth, North American Edition
8 Best Biochemistry Books for Beginners and Experts
1. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 8th Edition
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About the book
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Author | David L. Nelson |
| eBook Available | Yes |
| Level | All levels |
Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry is one of the top basic biochemistry books available in the market. It has been credited with the best textbook to study biochemistry from and has been widely recognized.
It is widely acknowledged for its brilliant organization and presentation of complex connections and concepts anchored in biochemistry principles. The legacy passes on successfully in the eighth edition of this best biochemistry practical book. It includes a new framework, which presents the biochemistry principles distinctively, and streamlines the content for smooth learning.
Published by W.H. Freeman, it is also the best biochemistry textbook for medical students.
Why did we add this to our best biochemistry books list?
- It is well-written and regularly updated.
- It is very well-organized.
Cons
- It moves slowly and at times may seem rather childish for advanced learners.
2. Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level 5th Edition
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About the book
| Rating | 4.5 |
| Author | Donald Voet and Judith Voet |
| eBook Available | Yes |
| Level | Basic best biochemistry book for beginners |
Published by Wiley, it is one of the basic biochemistry books that purposefully concentrate on carefully explaining the basics of the concepts. It is one of the best biochemistry books for medical students and covers advances in biochemistry, especially in Bioinformatics and structural biology disciplines.
This book offers a solid biochemical foundation for basics and moreover, it is deep-rooted in chemistry and equips the students with adequate knowledge to undertake scientific challenges in the future with confidence.
This best biochemistry practical book covers details related to diseases and human health. Overall, it is instructive and engaging with accentuated visuals and new pedagogy to streamline student learning.
Pros
- This is the best biochemistry textbook with diagrams and good explanations.
- The construction of the book makes it easily the best biochemistry book for beginners.
Cons
- Its binding quality is poor.
- It lacks a proper flow.
3. Biochemistry First Edition
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About the book
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Author | Roger Miesfeld and Megan McEvoy |
| eBook Available | Yes |
| Level | All levels |
Published by W. W. Norton & Company, it is absolutely the best book to study biochemistry. It is described as a basic biochemistry book that promotes a thorough understanding of biochemical concepts from the inside out. A noteworthy thing about this book that makes it the best biochemistry book for beginners is its readable chapters.
The best biochemistry practical book is made intuitive with beautiful text and graphics. You can see how biochemical processes work through the distinctive table of contents. Further, as you progress with this book, you will understand the everyday biochemistry uses.
Once you finish the book, you will be able to comfortably establish why and how biochemistry is vital in our lives.
Why did we include this in our list of best biochemistry textbooks?
- It helps you learn and appreciate biochemistry in detail.
- It has clear explanations and illustrations.
- The graphics in this one are unique and helpful.
- It connects different aspects of clinical biochemistry with the simplest of explanations.
Cons
- In certain parts of the book, the explanations get hard to follow for beginners.
4. Biochemistry 6th Edition
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About the book
| Rating | |
| Author | Reginald H. Garrett and Charles M. Grisham |
| eBook Available | Yes |
| Level | Advanced |
Do you wish to ace your biochemistry exam as an MBBS student? If yes, this is the best biochemistry book for MBBS. Across the book, the authors have employed an innovative method of teaching. So, you will see concepts explained in detail, followed by essential questions and framework guides, which help assess your understanding.
Further, the coursework in the book lists the usefulness and beauty of biochemistry in our routine life. You will find a streamlined and balanced presentation making it the best book to study biochemistry from. The author updated this book with the newest materials and revised presentations recently.
Biochemistry 5th edition comes integrated with OWLv2, a solid online learning system for chemistry wherein you will find several book-specific materials at the end of each chapter. It can be beneficial in mastering the concepts better and easily boosting your grades in the classroom.
Pros
- It is one of the most informative and knowledgeable books available.
- It is the best biochemistry textbook for medical students and advanced learners
- The guide has a phenomenal vocabulary for someone with an experience in chemistry and cell biology.
- It covers the latest knowledge and information.
- It has several problems and solutions making it the best biochemistry books for medical students.
Cons
- The inadequate binding tends to fall off quickly.
- The Kindle version lacks vital features like X-Ray. It also does not come with OWL access.
- It does not have the best organization and some might find it extremely wordy.
- There is too much unnecessary jargon that makes it bland in certain parts.
- It is slightly on the expensive side compared to other books on our list of best biochemistry textbook.
5. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry Thirty-First Edition 31st Edition
About the book
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| Rating | 4.6 |
| Author | Victor Rodwell, David Bender, Kathleen Botham, Peter Kennelly, and P. Anthony Weil |
| eBook Available | Yes |
| Level | Advanced |
Next, we have the Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry. The book is in its 31st edition and is not one to be called one of the basic biochemistry books but rather an advanced one. It is the best book to study biochemistry that emphasizes the relationship between understanding disease states and pathology, biochemistry, and medicine.
This best biochemistry textbook has several medically relevant examples and a full-color presentation. Best biochemistry book for MBBS, the tag is well justified in the manners it depicts a review of the biochemistry chemicals, which every student should know to excel in their med school.
You will find fifty-eight chapters in this one of the best biochemistry books for medical students, and each helps you establish medical relevance in biochemistry.
Unfortunately, it is not the best biochemistry practical book as it does not have exercise questions, but you will love the other aspects of it. It has over six-hundred graphic illustrations and case studies to illustrate the importance of biochemistry in the clinical field.
All in all It can be an exceptional resource if you already have an alternative book for reference.
Pros
- It has beautiful visuals.
- It is slightly technical, making it the best biochemistry textbook for medical students.
- This succinctly written textbook is the best biochemistry book for MBBS, covering a vast scope of material.
- Though a tad bit expensive, it is worth the investment.
Cons
- You cannot use this as the primary textbook. You will need supplemental materials.
- Different authors are its biggest downside. It implies that the authors follow a different writing style, and it feels challenging to adapt to them for readers.
- The authors have not given any questions at the end.
- There is no glossary for the chapters.
6. Biochemistry Second Edition
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About the book
| Rating | 4.4 |
| Author | Roger L. Miesfeld and Megan M. McEvoy |
| eBook Available | Yes |
| Level | Intermediate to Advanced |
It is the best biochemistry practical book, hands down. Published by the W. W. Norton & Company and compiled by Roger Miesfeld and Megan McEvoy, the authors have employed over three decades of their teaching experience in this book. Hence, it can be the best biochemistry book for MBBS. It can be the perfect teaching tool for instructors and a suitable learning medium for students.
There is access to rigorous content, beautiful graphics, and clear and readable explanations. It makes this one of the best biochemistry books for medical students. In addition, there are relevant routine life examples, which help students understand the importance of biochemistry and help them develop critical thinking abilities and a knowledge base.
Pros
- This best biochemistry textbook has extensive sections on research methods, both historical and current.
- You will find numerous graphics showing both before and after conformational changes in proteins and nucleotides.
Cons
- Though pushed as one of the basic biochemistry books, it expects you to have necessary general, physical, and organic chemistry knowledge.
7. Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations 7th Edition
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About the book
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Author | Thomas M. Devlin |
| eBook Available | Yes |
| Level | Best book to study biochemistry at advanced or medical level |
Next, we have an advanced book for medical students that presents a straightforward discussion of the biochemistry of eukaryotic cells, especially those from the mammalian tissues, associated with the biochemical events at a cellular level.
This is the best biochemistry textbook for medical students as it also deals with the subsequent physiological processes in animals. You will find examples of abnormal biochemical processes in human disease.
The book has a broad picture of biochemistry, which helps students understand the identification of various illnesses in humans.
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Pros
- It is one of the best biochemistry books for advanced courses like Metabolism concepts like Glycolysis, including Krebs cycle and Oxidative phosphorylation, and lipid metabolism.
- There is in-depth coverage of topics.
- Devlin has done an excellent job breaking down some of the most complex biochemistry concepts.
- It is a perfectly designed and best biochemistry textbook for medical students or residents with prior experience and base.
Cons
- Unfortunately, it is one poorly crafted in terms of comprehension
- The book contains extraneous and irrelevant information, which deviates from the topic.
- It lacks proper organization and structure.
- It is not the best biochemistry book for beginners. The book is very clinical and complex. Hence, it can be overwhelming for new learners.
- The book has multiple typographic errors.
8. Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry (Lippincott Illustrated Reviews Series) Eighth, North American Edition
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About the book
| Rating | 4.5 |
| Author | Emine E. Abali, Susan D. Cline, David S. Franklin, and Dr. Susan M. Viselli Ph.D. |
| eBook Available | Yes |
| Level | Beginner-friendly one of the best biochemistry textbooks |
The last one on our list is the Lippincott® Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry book. It has been one of the most lauded books for over two decades and is regarded as the go-to resource to master the biochemistry essentials. It can be easily trusted when looking for some basic biochemistry books.
It is one of the top-selling books that help students assimilate, review, and integrate large chunks of complex and critical information. There are unprecedented illustrations that add life to the whole concept. Across the book, the text follows an intuitive and easily comprehending outline, which helps amplify retention and understanding amongst students.
This is one of the best biochemistry textbooks that centers majorly on clinical application. In this revised and newest edition, you will find several exercises, questions, and digital resources, which increase your chances of success in an examination.
Why did we add this to our best biochemistry books list?
- It is one of the best basic biochemistry books. The book is excellent, and the clinical correlations are exceptional.
- You will find top-notch illustrations and diagrams in the book.
- It is the best book to study biochemistry for medical students.
Cons
- The author could add more topics to the book.
Conclusion
So, these are the top eight best biochemistry textbooks. All of them at par with others. But, we recommend Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry for beginners and intermediate learners to start their Biochemistry journey.
