Crash course vs Master Medicine revision books

**Chick** · 23-08-2006, 01:27 PM

Hey there to all,
I am about to become a graduate student on a 5 yr course- this is more than likely a premature question but I will put it out there anyhow.

I would like to know what general opinions there are on these two series of books...how have people found them, is there anything particular about their styles (good or bad). I know it really comes down to personal taste & what kind of style suits.

Obviously am planning to go by the specific reading list of my university, but I know what I'm like when it comes to revision- guides like these are perfect for me & so I'd like to get the investigations under way for which ones to choose.
Any feedback/experiences gratefully received! Chick

**Chulalongkorn** · 23-08-2006, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Chick

Hey there to all,
Obviously am planning to go by the specific reading list of my university,

Why? I personally found most on the list to be useless and none of my absolute must-have texts are on it! Just get books that suit you and your learning style.

Personally I love the Master Medicine series. It seemes to be pitched at just the right level for exams, I like the self-assessment approach they use and they are cheap. There are no fancy colour texts or anything, but they do the job just fine.

Crash Courses are OK and I guess it's personal choice at the end of the day.

**Cymro** · 23-08-2006, 03:33 PM

I really dislike both series. They tend to lack sufficient detail for general revision and are not concise enough for cramming.

I've found the Pastest books much more useful (for clinical exams).

Cymro.

**Chick** · 23-08-2006, 03:46 PM

Aha, Chulalongkorn- that is actually quite true about reading lists being a bit useless, when I did my first degree a number of them were written by our lecturers and also we had assignments/exercises from them...so, you really had to get hold them in some way even though I found much better books in other places!

I say that I will use my specific reading list in as much as I presume that a chunk of the assignements/homework will come out of them- but I shall have to wait & see when the course gets going.

Thanks to you both for your thoughts re the crash course/Master Medicine books, it all helps.
By the way, Chulalongkorn- are you linked to Thailand in any way? he was one of the old kings of thailand & it's one of the main universities in Bangkok, guess you know that anyway?!

Chick

**Chulalongkorn** · 23-08-2006, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Chick

By the way, Chulalongkorn- are you linked to Thailand in any way? he was one of the old kings of thailand & it's one of the main universities in Bangkok, guess you know that anyway?!

Chick

Hi Chick, I am not a Thai citizen but love the country and it's people and I do know a fair amount of Thai history, hence the nickname on here. Chulalongkorn (King Rama V of the Chakri dynasty) is kind of inspirational for many people in Thailand. Chulalongkorn University is known to me and I have been there a few times (and Mahidol University). Are you Thai?

**Chulalongkorn** · 23-08-2006, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Cymro

I really dislike both series. They tend to lack sufficient detail for general revision and are not concise enough for cramming.

I've found the Pastest books much more useful (for clinical exams).

Cymro.

I also like the Pastest books. They are great for revision in the last week or two before exams and they are defo part of my armoury for Finals revision. Best thing is you can often pick them up cheap at second hand book stalls- I got all 4 Surgical/ Medical Finals books for £2.50 each and looked like they had not been opened- bargain!

**Chick** · 23-08-2006, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Chulalongkorn

Hi Chick, I am not a Thai citizen but love the country and it's people and I do know a fair amount of Thai history, hence the nickname on here. Chulalongkorn (King Rama V of the Chakri dynasty) is kind of inspirational for many people in Thailand. Chulalongkorn University is known to me and I have been there a few times (and Mahidol University). Are you Thai?

Hi there,
Well I am half-Thai, my mum is from Thailand (the other half is Irish!) I'd say you probably know a bit more history than me, although I do know a fair bit which I've learnt from my mum, reading books etc.

I was at Chulalongkorn university a couple of years ago for a graduation of the daughter of one of my mum's friends- I think it's the oldest one in Thailand & also the one that so many thai students want to attend- one of my cousins graduated from there a few years ago.

I've been to Thailand many times, it's a great place I especially love the food & the weather!

**Dan1979** · 23-08-2006, 06:43 PM

As with most revision book series, some are better than others e.g. I found Crash Course Endocrine/Repro excellent, but Immunology dire. There are plenty of other series to try, like At a Glance and One Stop Doc. As for not enough detail.. I find quite the opposite with most of the Crash Course series.

**Chick** · 23-08-2006, 07:06 PM

Thanks a lot for your feedback, it really helps...I can see what you mean with all the different titles, written by different people there are bound to be variations.

I think I'll get myself down to Waterstones at some point and do some reading- I think this will be the best way to decide & not spend too much money in the process!

**zub2star** · 23-08-2006, 11:55 PM

Hi,

On a quick note, dont know what uni you're going but i found the crash courses brilliant for the manchester course. THey were extremely useful but they are one of those books that you have to read every sentence, back to front over and over again whilst using your own logic to fit the pieces together. You'll find them useful if you do that.

Dont know abt the other one...

Peace Ouy