. 2015 Jun 1;88(2):199–200.
The field of cancer biology is a dynamic and rapidly expanding one, with new and exciting discoveries being made each day. Therefore, there is a strong need for a comprehensive guide that discusses not only the basics of cancer biology but also brings to the forefront new developments in the field. What sets the second edition of this popular textbook apart from its predecessor is the current information it provides about all areas of the field of cancer biology, including molecular biology, tumor immunology and cancer cell biology, and cell signaling. While it aims to provide broad, basic information on a variety of topics in cancer biology, this textbook emphasizes the molecular aspects of cancer.
The chapters are arranged in a good chronological sequence, which makes the book very easy to read and understand. The author, Robert A. Weinberg, a stalwart in the field of cancer biology, uses a clear, lucid writing style as well as excellent illustrations. The latter engage the reader and make it easy to understand concepts. In each chapter, once a concept is introduced, thought-provoking questions are posed to enable the reader to thoroughly understand the ideas put forth. More importantly, several examples are provided to illustrate the clinical application of each concept. Each chapter uses sidebars to describe important ideas and methodologies. The easy accessibility of this information is advantageous, as the reader does not have to sift through additional material. Furthermore, the illustrations and videos on the DVD are a great asset to visual learners.
This textbook would appeal to a diverse group of readers, including undergraduates, medical and graduate students, and researchers. In addition to being fairly detailed on basic concepts, the book is not overloaded with jargon. This makes it possible for even a layperson with little or no scientific background to grasp and understand the concepts. Overall, this book is an outstanding compilation of all of the important topics of cancer biology and a valuable asset to both the researcher and student.