The authors have aimed this book at a wide audience beginning with “curious and thoughtful” undergraduates and going through professionals and researchers in the life sciences and medicine as well as the lay public. Another important aim is to prompt students to consider careers in research in the chemical, biomedical, and associated sciences, something that many of us do regularly. The authors manage to accomplish their goal by integrating chemistry, biology, drug discovery, and medicine into one-page synopses or monographs on more than 100 drugs, both prescription and over the counter.

To provide a common background, the book begins with a 21-page tutorial on basic principles of chemistry, especially organic chemistry, followed by a seven-page tutorial on proteins and their 3-dimensional structures. Structures of small molecules are shown in drawings, ball-and-stick, and space-filling models. Primary protein structures (amino acid sequences) are shown in line drawings, and secondary structures (helices) are shown in ball-and-stick, side-view “cartoon” (ribbon), and side-view space-filling. The chemistry tutorial is necessarily terse but covers a lot of ground. In this reviewer’s opinion, it is well done and no major errors could be detected.

The remaining five parts of the book cover major disease groups and medical conditions, with both brief overviews of the conditions and exemplary drugs used to treat the conditions. Part II covers inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, plus receptors and signaling. Overviews include drug mechanisms, inflammation, and metabolic diseases. Part III covers reproductive medicine, osteoporosis, and glaucoma and antiulcer agents with an overview of osteoporosis. Part IV covers autoimmune diseases and organ transplants, infectious diseases including immunosuppressive agents, antibiotics, and antiviral, antifungal, antimalarial, and antiparasitic agents, with overviews on viruses and parasitic diseases. Part V covers malignant diseases with an overview of cancer.

Of course, sources like The Merck Index (1) are time honored for quick look-ups and essential data but this book, although less comprehensive and lacking data, can also be a valuable reference work. Each drug monograph lists years of discovery and introduction to use (with the organization responsible), drug category, primary uses, and related drugs. Structures are shown in all three formats described above. The text describes treatment of the syndrome in general and the mechanism and pharmacology of this drug in particular.

The overviews provide good background for the biochemistry, pharmaceutical mechanisms, and medicine necessary for more complete descriptions of the drugs discussed. In some cases, the glossary does not cover some of the medical terms so that additional references may be needed. References are included for each part at the end of the book followed by the glossary (often illustrated) and a good index.

Overall, this is an excellent book, very. It should appeal to a very broad audience although the price may preclude extensive individual ownership, especially by students. However, this book should be made available to students ranging from high school through college and graduate school (including the possibility of use as a text for courses on medicinal chemistry and pharmacology). Most of us with careers in the sciences were inspired not only by family and teachers, but by key resources. This book is a valued addition to the inspirational resources for career mentoring.

Most of the diseases and drugs that we are exposed to are covered well and succinctly. Therefore this book is also a valuable reference for lay public as well as those in the relevant professions, as a first look for information and background on a wide variety of medical conditions and the drugs used to treat them. Highly recommended.

Literature Cited

1. O’Neil, Maryadele J.; Heckelman, Patricia E.; Koch, Cherie B.; Roman, Kristin J., Eds. The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals, 14th ed.; Merck & Co.: Whitehouse Station, NJ, 2006.