Animal Physiology

I used this textbook for a graduate school-level comparative physiology course, which actually asked for the 3rd edition. It served my purposes quite well for the course, especially considering the professor didn't really change his lectures or exams to fit the 3rd edition. Comparing it to the 3rd edition that some of my classmates had, the information contained in the chapters was extremely similar. However, if your professor assigns exact page numbers for reading, you should check with someone with the 3rd editions. Some of the chapters have been switched around, merged, etc., so page numbers between the editions are not homologous.The only problem I ever had with this textbook was that the concepts could sometimes have been much more concisely described, and could almost always have been tied more clearly to examples in nature.

I bought this book for a physiological ecology class last year. The professor was the best I've had and covered more material in 15 weeks than most do in a year, and we still didn't get through this entire book. Though incredibly information dense, Hill's Animal Physiology is easy and fun to read and packed full of helpful pictures and diagrams. It covers nearly everything, often times in significant detail, yet still finds a way to explain things so that anyone with a little biology background can understand it. Everyone in biology should have this book. I'm currently re-reading various chapters relevent to my current studies and am amazed at how much I'm picking up from going through it a second time. It really is that good. For ~$100, this is a bargain.

This was a great textbook. I'm glad I purchased it, but just wish I could have gotten the 3rd edition. I don't think most of the information is outdated in the second, but my personality always wants to get the latest and greatest when it's brand new. Richard Hill is a great lecture and prefers to teach through stories and tell how the researchers discovered things in the field of physiology and his textbook represents that well. Expect to learn from myriad examples that will stick with you.

I bought this edition in looseleaf form for my upper level Animal Phys course. The prof uses the figures straight from the book, so if I don't understand the diagram in class, I can always go back to the text. I use the book as a pre-class read and post-class study guide (along with class notes). The text is easy to read and the diagrams are colorful with clear explanations. I like the looseleaf edition because I can put the chapters I next for each exam into a binder along with my notes, then add / delete chapters & notes as I move forward in the course. In other words, the looseleaf edition saves my aching back from yet another heavy book! A wholly-digital ebook would be even better for me, but I can pass this text along to a relative who will be taking this course in the next year.

No where in the product description did it say the book I purchased would be in loose leaf format. I never would have bought the textbook if I knew it was going to be loose leaf. I am very disappointed.

This used book from 2004 weighs almost five pounds and has nearly 800 pages of knowledge about multiple science disciplines concerning life. The authors thought and planned big when they developed this project. I paid under $7 including shipping and this will provide hours of reading and a good foundation in physiology, which I have not studied seriously since college. The book is large to handle, but at least the font size is adequate for an older reader. The color pictures and diagrams are helpful. The used condition of the book was fine and the highlighting of a former student was no big deal to me. I will be reading for some time yet...

I am taking a graduate level physiology class and this book made it so much easier. The paragraphs are clear with great illustrations. I would recommend this to any college student or someone who is interested in this field.

This was my first time buying a loose leaf version of a text book. I love that this is an option for a more student friendly price. I wasn't sure how I would like it but so far it works really well. I split it into two halves in different 3 ring binders so it is lighter and I can bring it to class easily. The only problem I foresee is ripping pages. The 3 hole punches have no reinforcement so with more use I bet the pages will start tearing through. The information in the book seems really good so far as well, nice pictures and diagrams.