I wouldn't normally recommend an academic textbook. But when a book is this well presented, I can't pass it up. Biology is the study of life, and how we (and our animal friends) work is simply fascinating. This book gets an A+ from me for its easy, non-technical language and wonderfully informative illustrations. The included CD and website provide incredible animations that really let you see how things work. This is one textbook I'm going to keep.

Mad Biologist use: Before you can create life (freakish though it may be), you must understand it.

Also, what the heck? Flora or Fauna? Sadly one must know these terms before becoming a true Mad Biologist. It's kinda like 'Wax on, Wax off' for the mad scientist.