Book Description
Discover the fun and fascination of chemistry through hands-on demonstrationsFor many, chemistry is perceived as a burdensome affair, weighed down with mathematics and restricted to well-guarded research facilities. While these facets of chemistry are certainly of paramount importance, laboratories and calculators do not necessarily convey the inherent beauty of chemistry or the excitement of chemistry at work.

This book challenges the perception of chemistry as too difficult to bother with and too clinical to be any fun. Cathy Cobb and Monty L. Fetterolf, both professional chemists and experienced educators, introduce readers to the magic, elegance, and, yes, joy of chemistry. From the fascination of fall foliage and fireworks, to the functioning of smoke detectors and computers, to the fundamentals of digestion (as when good pizza goes bad!), the authors illustrate the concepts of chemistry in terms of everyday experience, using familiar materials.

The authors begin with a bang—a colorful bottle rocket assembled from common objects you find in the garage—and then present the principles of chemistry using household chemicals and friendly, nontechnical language. They guide the reader through the basics of atomic structure, the nature of molecular bonds, and the vibrant universe of chemical reactions. Using analogy and example to illuminate essential concepts such as thermodynamics, photochemistry, electrochemistry, and chemical equilibrium, they explain the whys and wherefores of chemical reactions. Hands-on demonstrations, selected for their ease of execution and relevance, illustrate basic principles, and lively commentaries emphasize the fun and fascination of learning about chemistry.

This delightful and richly informative book amply proves that chemistry can appeal to our intuition, logic, and—if we're willing to get down and dirty—our sense of enjoyment too. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Not really a joy
I bought the book to find some interesting points in teaching kids chemistry in elementary school. Didn't really help me. Nothing new. I wouldn't really recommend it.

Better living through chemistry
The big three sciences are biology, chemistry and physics, although an argument could be made that biology is merely a sophisticated type of chemistry and chemistry merely an extension of physics.All three are important, but when it comes to writing for the general reader, physics and biology seem to get the bigger slices of the publishing pie (especially when extending into subcategories like ecology or astronomy).The Joy of Chemistry, however, addresses this deficiency and offers a good introduction for the lay reader for this central science.

The focus on The Joy of Chemistry is not only on theory but how chemistry fits into the real world.For this reason, writers Cathy Cobb and Monty Fetterolf not only offer real-life illustrations but also provide experiments for the reader to try out.For example, an early chapter on the periodic table is preceded by the recipe for an experiment that exposes copper and aluminum wire to lye to show how two different metals react to a chemical.Then the chapter itself discusses the table and how it is derived, and how certain groups have similar chemical reactions; since copper and aluminum are not in the same group, they react differently.

The majority of the book deals with the ways chemistry works, from reactions to solutions to crystallization.The second portion of the book discusses various types of chemistry, including organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry.

Even if you're not inclined to do the experiments (I wasn't), there is still plenty of good, informative material in this book.There are little mistakes here and there such as one point where the text states that two like magnetic poles attract each other, but overall, there aren't many flaws.If your knowledge of chemistry is weak - or if you're just looking for a refresher - The Joy of Chemistry will be a good resource.

What a Joy!
While laced with humor, this is a very serious book, and truly a joy.What most surprised me is its willingness to tackle in some fashion all the deepest theoretical findings and issues.They may simplify, but are careful never to misstate.In comparing the dual nature of light, wave and particle, to a pet cat, both wild (when stalking birds) and domestic, the authors are less scientific than usual, but even this analogy contributes to understanding.Given my own confusion, I was glad to learn that "no one has completely explained" why a moving current causes magnetism.The authors do a really good job with chemical attraction, and explain that "all bonds have a bit of each quality - covalent, ionic and metallic - to a greater or lesser degree".I did find some of the references to entropy in explanations a bit unsatisfying, and I think it is because the authors were trying to avoid any discussion of probability.

There is a wealth of information.Despite having taken chemistry, years ago, I learned for the first time such things as what distinguishes a diesel engine, and how cheese is made.I did not actually do any of the many experiments described, but got a lot out of just reading about them."The Joy of Chemistry" is a great book for anyone interested in science, whether or not you have ever taken a chemistry course.

A beginners chemistry book
Lots of explanations, and simple experiments for a basic chemistry primer.

Great intro to Chemistry
I bought this book when my 12 year old said he wanted to learn chemistry.I started reading it to refresh my memory, and kept losing track of the book as my son kept stealing it! I have a liberal arts kind of mind, and was NOT looking forward to having to learn chemistry again to teach to my son.This book has changed my mind! I wish Cathy Cobb had been MY chemistry teacher, and I am looking forward to learning more. ... Read more

Book Description
A thorough book for guitarists on the applications and understanding of chords. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Ted Greene's book was always my favorite.

This book is for any serious guitar player, and definitely should then be combined with Ted's "Modern Chord Progressions". This book has much info for any musician, on Harmonizations and Voice-Leading. His approach to guitar is simply superb. There are enough examples to intrigue for quite awhile.

I first bought this book in the 1970's. Ted taught at Ernie Ball Guitars on Topanga Canyon Blvd in the 1960's, in Canoga Park. Friends and I lived there part time, as did many others. So, when the book came out I was an early beneficiary.

"Modern Chord Progressions",lays off some of the Theory, and just gives page after page of often 4 chord change voicings (think 3-6-2-5 or maybe 1-6-2-b9 progressions of every flavour). These are presented in massive quantities of refined voicings for Jazz or Classical textured guitar chord melody.

I long ago gave away my original copy, and then later gave away a few more copies. I bought one recently, and gave it away within days, and had to order it again. Giving this book to someone is like shining a light in the darkness.

This is a really good book for guitarists that want to play more than the basic chords they find everywhere, and want it to all come together in a seriously beautiful way.

I have recently seen a fan webpage dedicated to Ted Greene with some free online lessons and info about his life.

K.O'Mara
www.komaramusic.net

guitar books
I give this book a 4 star rating and I take away the one star because I have difficulty reading the diagrams.

Open your world
This book will open your world regarding chord relationships
and give you great ideas. It will help you improve your understanding
of the guitar.

Good Book for any Player
If you are looking at this book's reviews you have not heard enough about it to just buy it yet.The truth is this book is worth the money, In fact I have owned multiple copies of it and would pay more to make sure it is by my side.No matter what type of music you play or how good you are, how long you have been playing Ted Greene is a necessary resource in the world of guitar.I got my first copy of this book when I was 17 and will always own a copy.His other books are great as well but require more knowledge on theory than this.If you want to be more than just an intermediate guitarist buy his books and check out his web page.To Ted Greene, his family, all of his students, and anyone who helped with his books I must say thanks.

A lifetime of learning.
I purchased this book when I was 17 and 20 years later I still use it. ... Read more

Book Description
CliffsQuickReview course guides cover the essentials of your toughest subjects. Get a firm grip on core concepts and key material, and test your newfound knowledge with review questions.

Whether you're new to elements, atoms, and hydrocarbons or just brushing up on your knowledge of the subject, CliffsQuickReview Chemistry can help. This guide covers topics such as chemical compounds, radioactivity, and equilibrium concentrations. You'll also tackle other concepts, including

• Solids, liquids, and gases
• Freezing and boiling points
• Energy and entropy
• Covalent, ionic, and polar bonds
• The pH scale and the two types of bases

With titles available for all the most popular high school and college courses, CliffsQuickReview guides are comprehensive resources that can help you get the best possible grades. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

CliffsQuickReview Chemistry
ClifsQuickReview Chemistry offers succinct summaries of fundamentals of chemistry. It covers the basic principles, defines terms and laws, and would be useful for a beginning hobbyist, I suppose. However, high school chemistry also involves a lot of math, naming ionic/covalent compounds, and predicting products, which this book says nothing about. I am a high school sophomore and so far, I have not found this book to be very helpful as a supplement.

Friggin' Incredible.
This book got me through a very grueling high school chem class. It is very easy to understand. I can't put my finger on it, but something about the way this book is written just makes understanding come naturally for me.

Hope it does the same for you. A great value. Your grade depends on it!

Great resource!
This book is very helpful for people trying to grasp the basics of chemistry.I'm one who really loves science, but I get a little bogged down in the details and calculations involved, so this book helped me get through the tough math.To me it reads like a textbook, only it cuts out all the filler, so it's very easy to find what I'm looking for, and the descriptions are clean and to the point.

Chemisty Cliff's notes
This book is a great SUPPLEMENT to a intro chemistry course, it is not a repleacement for instruction. i found this book to be a very good resource for quick reference. I am a little biased though, since one of the authors was one of my college professors.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK
If your confused about chemistry do not get this book. The chapters do not provide enough explanation for the problems, and the examples are different and simpler than the problems it didnt help. ... Read more

Book Description
Written by Susan McMurry, the Study Guide and Solutions Manual provide answers and explanations to all in-text and end-of-chapter exercises. ... Read more

Book Description
CliffsQuickReview course guides cover the essentials of your toughest classes. You're sure to get a firm grip on core concepts and key material and be ready for the test with this guide at your side.

Whether you're new to biosynthesis, integrated metabolism, and the molecular cloning of DNA or just brushing up on those topics, CliffsQuickReview Organic Chemistry II can help. This guide introduces each topic, defines key terms, and walks you through each sample problem step-by-step. In no time, you'll be ready to tackle other concepts in this book such as

• The reactions of aromatic compounds
• Aldol, cross-aldol, and ketonic aldol condensation
• Ester formation
• Oxidation
• Mass spectra

With titles available for all the most popular high school and college courses, CliffsQuickReview guides are a comprehensive resource that can help you get the best possible grades. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Best thing I ordered for school
This guide got me through organic chem, I only wish I'd bought it earlier in the semester and I might have four-pointed the class. Great idea if you're having a hard time studying by lecture alone. Gives very simple, concise summaries of concepts with lots of examples and diagrams.

a must for orgo students!
This book simplifies the many aspects covered in "Fessenden & Fessenden" book, and the rxn's at the end are extremely helpful to study for exams. Unfortunately, this book doesn't really get into nucleic acids, but it does a great job covering all functional groups synthesis & rxns!A key book for reference as well as explanations regarding intermediates for rxns.A+

Great Review
This was a great help to me as I prepared for my finals. The last few pages are especially helpful in summerizing the numerous reactions in organic chemistry. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a concise review before a test. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Terrible introductory text
Good thing my teacher was so good because this book is terrible.

The explanations are lacking in important areas and overdone in others. It spends like 2 pages on VSEPR theory, incomplete activity series and solubility rules, and terrible intro in stoichiometry. We only did 15 chapters, but this book didn't help at all. I didn't even read half of it because the problems offer no challenge whatsoever. Not enough application problems. The end of section review Qs only ask for definitions and explanations, no real chemistry. No difficult and tricky questions whatsoever.

Honestly, no clue why high schools use this text so much. Pretty sad if this is the best there is.

An overall Disappointment
This book was largely a disappointment. I had heard previously that this was the leading high school text that is used and had high expectations. I was disappointed to find a plethora of type errors (including math mistakes!) and also very poor descriptions of things like bonding theory, equilibrium constants, reaction ratesetc. The book covers a lot but fails to get real advanced in much of anything. I would reccomend for the advanced high school student a college level text with a good teacher instead of wasting your time on this.

Not too good for self-study
I'm an 8th grader that wants to learn chemistry very badly, and bought this book.

Most of the book provides an adequate explanation for all the essential concepts encountered in a regular high school course. I know this because after reading this book, I looked at the state tests for a high school chemistry course, and I could do most of the problems. There are many examples in the book that help a student understand what the text is trying to explain. There are also a lot of practice problems after each section and chapter that reinforces the contents of the chapter/section very well.

However, without a teacher, if some concept is not clear, then chaos occurs. There are selected parts in the book that are vague in a way. To me, the noticable ambiguity in the text comes in the bonding chapter. They sort of assume that out of nowhere you can write an electron dot structure, a concept that other review chemistry texts take pages explaining. Hybridization was also explained poorly, and several weeks after I read that part (when I was finished with the book), I finally thought I got it, and then a chapter review problem proved that it was still a mystery. I have another chemistry book that I use to help me understand in case I don't get what's going on in this chemistry book.

Bonding isn't the only chapter that is a disaster in clarity (although it is the worst). The chapters from about 16-23 were all not as good as the other ones. There was also some guessing involved in the oragnic chemistry section, but that was not too bad; I still figured it out.

My school uses this textbook (as I found out months after I bought this book). With a teacher, this book is perfect, but without one, get ready to think; appreciate the pictures in there when you can, but focus a lot on figuring out the material.

BIG FAT MISTAKE
I just found out from my VISA company that not only you credit my money back but you charged the money for the item that I returned. Another words you charged me twice.

THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE MISTAKE.

From your customer

Fairly Decent
This book is a decent chemistry book that does a good job in covering chemistry material.Although there are not enough example problems in the book to gain a good understanding of the "math" goes on chemistry.The book doesn't provide goods STEPS in chemistry problems.For example, the text lacks a section that tells teh student how to draw a Lewis Dot Structure and the steps to determine bonds.This text also has labs but they aren't really that good.

The book does offer good examples of realife chemistry in action.Things are organized well with good charts, graphs, and summary tables.The book problems are o.k. but one should supplement the book with another excercise book.It's easy too understand and good for first year chem only. ... Read more

Book Description
The Ninth Edition of Organic Chemistry continues Solomons~Fryhle's tradition of excellence in teaching and preparing students for success in the organic classroom and beyond.

Students are often overwhelmed by the early rigors of organic chemistry. Solomons~Fryhle prepares students for these early rigors by introducing acids & bases--topics they know from general chemistry--early, followed by chapters on structure and stereochemistry. Next, a discussion of ionic reactions gives students a foundation for the vast majority of reactions that they will encounter. The Ninth Edition continues to introduce IR spectroscopy in chapter 2 (after functional groups) and Carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy in chapter 4, providing synergy with most lab courses and, again, reinforcing learning.

The new edition of Solomons~Fryhle also has a completely revised WileyPLUS course to help students and instructors reach their full potential. WileyPLUS provides instructors with the most robust online homework solution in organic chemistry. This revision of WileyPLUS meets students where and when they learn and provides them with a learning platform that offers real learning solutions that complement their approach to managing and mastering organic concepts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Pathetic and Lacking
I am in a first semester Organic Chem class. My teacher does not like this book, but it is required at the university (due to a recent switch from Wade). I purchased it along with the solutions manual and to tell you the truth, this is one of the worst textbooks I've ever used (after taking multiple Engineering courses in math, physics, chemistry, biology, biomechanics, etc). It touches on everything without ever testing the reader on it. For example, in introducing the conformations of alkanes, it never asks the reader to explain anything through Newman projections. Well, given that my lecture consisted of two lectures doing this to explain cyclohexane/pentane conformations, I'd say this is fairly important (this is not just my class, either, this seems to be the trend). Regardless, the problems are absolutely insulting--draw all 8 isomers of C4H10O2 is the book's idea of a good problem. Sounds rather lazy to me. When will I ever need to draw all of those isomers? That's what so many problems, especially the in-text ones, consist of.

My real motivation for writing this comes from my use of the Wade Organic Chem textbook--for only about 2 hours. It is 100% head and shoulders above this book and I have purchased it along with its solution manual to use for the rest of this course and the next. I have no idea why we switched, but I will still be using Wade.

Good enough - undergrad review
This is a basic text for organic chemistry. Alot of the review questions seem TOO hard and there arent enough details in the solomons and fryhle answer manual. Chapter 5 is explained terribly and I dont like the nucleophile/substrate way of learning. I prefer the nucleophile/electrophile way of learing in the orgainic chemistry by Seyhan Ege. I believe this book to be superior in most ways.

Amazing book!
GREAT BOOK! If your professor chooses this book, you are really really lucky. I am a second year college student, and I am half way into the semester. To tell you the truth, the professor told us that after using this book, the overall scores on exams went up higher than previous years. I myself was horrible at the orgo part of general chemistry. However, after using this book to study, I'm currently acing orgo!

This is a great book, has detailed explanations, clear and easy-to-understand illustrations, and VERY HARD review questions. If you want to get good at organic chemistry, this is the book to get even if you are using another book!

which organic chem book to buy?
OK, so you're considering which book to get for 2 semester intro organic chemistry. Just buy the required text for the course, right? well, maybe.

You should know there are 2 basic approaches to the teaching of organic chem: The functional group approach and mechanism approach. By far, the former is much more commonly used and the way organic chem has been taught for decades. The problem is this approach promotes tedious memorization and you can be overwhelmed by the volume. Also, most organic chemists don't think in terms of functional groups. They understand their subject by organizing/systematizing reactions according to mechanism and reaction type as governed by a few basic principles.

The number of books that support the rxn./mechanism approach are few in number. They are (this list may be incomplete):

Organic Chemistry by Marye Anne Fox, James K. Whitesell (ISBN 0763721972)

Organic Chemistry by Clayden, Greeves, Warren, Wothers

A Guidebook to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry (6th Edition) by Peter Sykes

A Primer to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry by Peter Sykes

Organic Chemistry by Joseph M. Hornback (ISBN 0534389511)

----------------------------------------------

For the the functional group approach:

Just based on its sheer size and completeness, the best book has to be Organic Chemistry (now in its 6th Edition) by Morrison & Boyd (ISBN 0136436692). It's the gold standard by which all other functional group books are judged.

2nd best is probably Organic Chemistry by G. Marc Loudon (ISBN 0195119991).

All the rest - Ege, McMurry, Solomons, Wade, Carey, Bruice, Vollhardt, Maitland Jones Jr., Streitwieser/Heathcock, Brown/Foote - they're just carbon copies of one another. The exceptions might be Bruice and Jones Jr. which employ a quasi-mechanism/functional group approach.

--------------------------------------------

For those of you who want to start off with "just the facts" before tackling these organic tomes try: "Organic Chemistry: A Short Course" by Hart/Craine/Hart/Hadad now in its 12th edition.

The 2 books by David R. Klein are also recommended: "Organic Chemistry I as a Second Language: Translating the Basic Concepts" and "Organic Chemistry II as a Second Language: Second Semester Topics".

Another good intro: The Nuts and Bolts of Organic Chemistry: A Student's Guide to Success by Joel Karty

For the lab portion get "The Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual: A Student's Guide to Techniques" by James W. Zubrick

Check out my other reviews for other chemistry books.


P.S. I should really be mentioning Solomons since I am "reviewing" his book. It's very average and middle-of-the road. there. done. ... Read more

Book Description

This book retains the relaxed, easy-to-read style of the previous edition to provide integrated coverage of organic and biochemistry, applications, and tools that foster problem-solving skills. More than any other, this text offers balance-in the topics presented, and in its presentation of the subject of chemistry. The authors focus on three mains areas to help readers master the core concepts of general chemistry and enhance their problem-solving skills: problem-solving support and active assessment, conceptual development, and visualization of the molecular behavior of matter. For anyone who wants a relaxed, easy-to-read book that emphasizes major topics in chemistry as well as problem-solving techniques.

Customer Reviews (8)

Better than expected
I bought this book used through Amazon and it arrived in about two weeks. It was surprised to find a cd in it unopened. The condition of the textbook is relatively new with the exception of a bend on the lower right corner of the textbook cover. However, it's hardly noticable especially when one buys something of that quality at less that 50% of the original price on the market.

Not clear enough
This book was used in my freshman college chem class.Everyone hated it, including our instructor.I found myself doing a lot of independent study this year, because my instructor was often incomprehensible, and unfortunately, this book most often was just not thorough enough when it came to explanations.Usually, the problems that were explained stepwise, were very simple, so harder problems were difficult to figure out by myself.I am a straight A student, and a pre-med bio major, so I don't consider myself completely stupid, but this book sometimes made me feel as though I was reading a foreign language.Maybe having a better instructor would have made a difference, but since I had to pretty much cover 75% of the course on my own, I had real difficulty understanding the text.On the plus side, the text does cover all the topics required in a college level chemistry course for biology majors.

An Excellent, Readable Chemistry Text
_General Chemistry (4th Edition)_ is the book that has taught me most of what I know about chemistry. I just finished my second semester of general chemistry, and I enjoyed reading the chapters very much. In total, I went through well over 700 pages of it with a fine-tooth comb, and I never once had difficulty with the material. Every problem in the book refers back to what you learn in the chapters. It rarely leaves you in the dark (it will tell you when something is beyond the scope of the text).

It is not a difficult read if your competency with the English language is satisfactory. Never once did the thought occur to me that the explanations are too difficult to understand. The authors are quite eloquent. Furthermore, there are a prodigious number of information boxes, tables, and graphs scattered throughout the book. There are also quite a few hints, chapter summaries, and lengthy introductions that explain the importance of the material that you are about to learn. Honestly, what more could you ask for?

The organization of the material itself is strange at times (like another reviewer noted), but overall it is well done. It would have been best if the organic chemistry concepts were saved until the very end of the book because they tend to distract from the less advanced concepts. In any case, they don't appear too often. The only other problem that I can think of involves the answers to the end-of-the-chapter problems. On several occasions, my professor and I found answers in the back of the book that were simply wrong. Evidently, the authors updated the text and missed a few.

However, in the final analysis, I fail to see how a rating less than five stars is appropriate. For the sheer size and quality of _General Chemistry_, the few flaws that it contain are negligible.

Plentiful of content, but with some unclear points
General Chemistry by Hill, Petrucci, et. al., is a book that is supposed to be for college students. Mainly, it covers quite well chemistry at college level. It has lots of pictures, graphs and some additional data, which makes this book a great source for people that is accustomed to science. However, people who is not will find this book kind of confusing and tedious to understand, as the authors describe many theories and facts too superficially. For instance, when trying to infer the formula for kinetics of gases, the book does not explain how the formula is gotten: that process could be explained in an easy way using proportions. Also, as I am accustomed to really hard chemistry, I found the challenging problems not as difficult as I expected, which is a little disappointing. Anyway, this book is fair, and it would be good if any student read it with a professor's or another experimented student's help. I give it 4 stars...

Trades readability for depth and rigor
This text is best suited for very good students who are motivated, comfortable reading English at a high level and mathematically adept: other students would be served much better by a different book. It contains far more material than could possibly be covered in a standard freshman general chemistry sequence, even with a good class. The authors assume that their audience is composed of the students I described initially (I am told it is the textbook at MIT), and leave it to the instructor to "break it down" for the students. Initially, I was not fond of this book, but I have slowly changed my mind, and I believe I have a better grasp of introductory chemistry thanks to the extra depth it goes to and the challenges it made me rise to. ... Read more

Book Description

Provides solutions to odd-numbered Practice Problems, General Problems, and Cumulative Skills Problems, plus answers to Review Questions.

Customer Reviews (2)

Student review
Although I am not the one taking the class. The student who is is pleased with the text.

It helps!
This solutions manual really helps with the practice problems which there are not all the answers to in the textbook.It gives you detailed answers so you understand how to do each problem! ... Read more

Book Description

A PERFECT PLAN FOR THE PERFECT SCORE

We want you to succeed on your AP* exam. That's why we've created this 5-step plan to help you study more effectively, use your preparation time wisely, and get your best score. This easy-to-follow guide offers you a complete review of your AP course, strategies to give you the edge on test day, and plenty of practice with AP-style test questions. You'll sharpen your subject knowledge, strengthen your thinking skills, and build your test-taking confidence with

• Full-length practice exams modeled on the real test
• All the terms and concepts you need to know to get your best score
• Your choice of three customized study schedules-so you can pick the one that meets your needs

The 5-Step Plan helps you get the most out of your study time:

Step 1: Set Up Your Study Program

Book Description
This comprehensive collection of over 300 intriguing investigations-including demonstrations, labs, and other activities— uses everyday examples to make chemistry concepts easy to understand. It is part of the two-volume PHYSICAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM LIBRARY, which consists of Hands-On Physics Activities With Real-Life Applications and Hands-On Chemistry Activities With Real-Life Applications. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An incredible resource
I am using this book as a reference while homeschooling my middle-school son.It is far and away the best book of science experiments and demonstrations at this level that I have encountered.Every possible chemistry topic at the middle and high school level is covered with multiple examples, all well -indexed and clearly explained.Many can be done with simple materials around the house although some require more sophisticated glassware and a few involve chemicals and/or procedures that would require an institutional setting (for example, needing a fume hood).The latter are well indicated. Best of all, the activities are FUN--we did the Cartesian Diver today and it was a blast!

My only very minor gripe is that a few activities are repeated several times in slightly different formats.More thorough editing and/or cross-referencing would be helpful.

I would recommend the book for homeschoolers such as myself who want to give their students real lab experiences, and also probably for "regular" teachers in middle or high schools.

Hands On Chemistry Activities
Aninnovativecompilationofchemistryexperiments.

A good resource book
This book has tons of labs and demonstrations.Many of the labs and demonstrations can be found in other chemistry texts and on-line, this book brings them all together with good explainations and illustrations.Herr and Cunningham have included additional information for the teacher and there are thoughtful extension questions provided for the students.This is a good resource book.I allow my students to try the labs after school and when they come in on their free periods. My only gripe is that it sometimes takes careful reading to follow the procedures as they are written in paragraph form. ... Read more

Book Description

This new edition is geared for the latest developments in your subject, and covers the hottest specialties in chemistry such as forensics and materials science.

Book Description
Written by Jim Brady, an author well known for his ability to communicate chemistry, and Fred Senese, the architect of the most visited general chemistry Web site, this book and its media are designed to support a variety of backgrounds. It maintains its hallmark feature of accurate, lucid, and interesting explanations of the basic concepts of chemistry as well as its comprehensive coverage and aid to readers in developing problem solving skills. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

excellent text
This textbook is an excellent way to learn chemistry. It provides very nice graphics to explain the text. This text makes learning chemistry very enjoyable and interesting. Senese and Brady did a wonderful job with this book. I highly recommend it.

this text does stand out from the pack...
...in a number of ways. The chapter on stoichiometry is the first one I flip to when I'm evaluating a new text. This book does a better job of providing a conceptual foundation for the mole concept than any other book I've seen. It shows the rationale behind the concept by working a few simple problems with and without moles. The problem setups emphasize strategic thinking by asking students to identify the 'critical link' that connects given information with the problem's goal. The "Is the answer reasonable" checks given with each problem are more detailed and more helpful than in other texts; they help students develop a sense for what is and isn't reasonable in the answer, using alternative back-of-the-envelope solutions that often provide additional insight into the nature of the problem.

The chapter on atomic structure is the only one I've seen that uses the central idea of quantum mechanics (wave-particle duality) as its central theme. It elegantly uses the de Broglie relation to tie wave and particle behaviors together, in the process naturally explaining where quantum numbers come from and why changes in electron confinement in a reaction can lead to color changes.

The thermodynamics chapter is also quite innovative, discarding the idea of entropy as a measure of disorder and instead stressing its connection with the number of ways a state can be realized. A simple model of heat flow from a hot object to a cold object makes the connection between probability and process spontaneity clear.

The approach for explaining and predicting molecular shapes is much better than that used in other texts, where students end up memorizing a large table of molecular shapes. This text starts by showing how electron domains arrange themselves the central atom, and then visualizes how the molecular geometry changes as bonding domains are replaced with nonbonding domains, one at a time. Students see the underlying idea without getting lost in a mass of detail and special cases.

I also like the "Thinking it through" problems at the end of each chapter, that emphasize critical and strategic thinking rather than simply getting a numerical answer. Ebbing and Chang don't have this feature. The "Test of facts and concepts" are cumulative tests that students can use to synthesize material from several chapters; I haven't seen another text with this feature, either.

a chemistry book for all science purposes
THIS BOOK IS A GREAT GUIDE FOR ANY STUDENT WHO WANTS TO LEARN CHEMISTRY AND ALSO A GREAT GUIDE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO PREPARE3 THEM SELVES FOR WHAT'S AHEAD AT UNIVERSITY.

Best in itself
I have read older editon of this textbook. Older 3rd edition (1988). But it still stands tall among couple of other chemistry books on my shelf. No other book can match the style and elegance of Brady's book IMHO.

There are a lot of books out there maybe more detailed. But Brady's is the one that explain why certain concept is important, how they were discovered and by whom they were developed. Instead of starting explaining each key concenpts in Chemistry, Brady's always start with how previous researchers reached the theory at that time period. And how we can relate them in terms of our current understanding of this wonderful of chemistry.

If Brady didn't lose any his touch, I am 100 % sure and can gaurantee this newer edition will follow its earlier edition's tradition. Even if your course doesn't require this book as a text, go grap one. If you can't afford newer one, go buy old edition. They are still a classic and in fact I am still using 1988 edition.

Very conceptual, not very mathematical
When I used this textbook, I was looking for a mathemtical/engineering approach to chemistry. This textbook, however, explains concepts with examples but little or no scientific proofs. I found myself filling in proofs from other courses like thermodynamics and science of materials. Overall, a very thorough book, but heavy on the memorization, and light on math and graphs. ... Read more

Book Description
The trusted, best-selling text for organic chemistry just got better! Updated with the latest developments, expanded with more illustrations and "Visualizing Chemistry" problems, and enhanced with new media-based "Organic Knowledge Tools," John McMurry's ORGANIC CHEMISTRY continues to set the standard for the course. The Seventh Edition also retains McMurry's hallmark qualities: comprehensive, authoritative, and clear. McMurry has developed a reputation for crafting precise and accessible texts that speak to the needs of instructors and students. More than a million students worldwide from a full range of universities have explored organic chemistry through his trademark style, while instructors have praised his approach time and time again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Well Written
I found this book very easy to understand, as a first year student taking organic chemistry I was glad to see that is book had visual images so I could furthur understand the material.I would recommend getting the solutions manuel also.

Organic Chemistry Textbook
The book was received on time and in perfect condition. I don't think that it was stated in the original ad that the edition is the international one, but it is exactly the same as the US one, so I was fine with it. That's all :)

Could Use More Example
Organic Chemistry is all about working problems out. The authors of the book should probably consider putting more problems into the book, because the cornucopia of practice needed and the minuscule amount provided do not go very well.

Organic Chemistry
It is a text book and had to be bought for a university class...at much less than it is going at the campus book store.It is the same book, newest edition, that is being used in class.

Good textbook
John McMurry of Cornell University did again a very good job as he brought the good level of knowledge of organic chemistry with right links to the real world in traditionally (for McMurry's books) very high level textbook which is well readable, has good part of problem solving guide and which is in my eyes a book which was needed just today. I can suggest the textbook to every student who wants to get basic knowledge of organic chemistry in a simple and easy way.
Very good 3D models, mostly with electronic or charge densities (it looks as if from Wavefunction kitchen) are good tool for understanding the spatial construction of molecules, i.e. their conformation and configuration. Book has very good connotations to life (illicit drugs) and environmental problems (energy and fuel). Also the summaries after each chapter followed by exercises as well as the reviewing chapters are excellent features of good teaching. Very good for teaching is also the Glossary, small encyclopedia od organic chemistry expressions. ... Read more

Book Description

This innovative book from acclaimed educator Paula Bruice is organized in a way that discourages rote memorization. The author’s writing has been praised for anticipating readers' questions, and appeals to their need to learn visually and by solving problems. Emphasizing that learners should reason their way to solutions rather than memorize facts, Bruice encourages them to think about what they have learned previously and apply that knowledge in a new setting. KEY TOPICS The book balances coverage of traditional topics with bioorganic chemistry, highlights mechanistic similarities, and ties synthesis and reactivity together–teaching the reactivity of a functional group and the synthesis of compounds obtained as a result of that reactivity. For the study of organic chemistry.

Customer Reviews (7)

2 day service
Received book in 3 days but paid for 2 day service.However, item was exactly what was stated.The one day did not make that big a difference but was a little irritating.Book was great.

very good book.I love it.
that is a nice book. it was in the paper box shiped on time and quickly .

A solid organic chemistry textbook
My assessment of this textbook is based upon concurrent usage of the solutions manual.

Paula Bruice does a great job in presenting organic chemistry.I had virtually no knowledge of organic chemistry when starting the academic year, and felt I had a solid understanding of it at the end of the year.I obtained As both semesters, even though one of the professors only loosely followed the material in the text.However, the text was of sufficient quality that I was able to understand the material the professor presented by relying almost solely on the text.

I prefer to learn things by reading and studying alone.I used this text with solutions manual almost exclusively.The author's presentation of subjects is logical and progressive.There are many worked problems within the text, and the solutions manual has fully worked solutions to the problems.Additionally, there are review subjects within the solutions manual to cover subjects that are not properly organic chemistry, but must be mastered to understand organic chemistry.

The key to getting the most from this text is to work the problems at the end of the chapters.Paula Bruice does not present problems that were not covered in the chapter.Thus, if you read the chapter, you'll see the concepts in the problems at the end of the chapter.Where you have gaps in working the problems, you can readily fill the gaps by checking the solutions manual.Read the text, work the problems, you'll learn organic chemistry.

As a final note, there is a web site to accompany the text.It isn't great, but I think most such web sites are deficient.Nevertheless, it was sometimes helpful when I simply couldn't grasp a concept.It is probably the best web site to accompany a text I've seen.

Very understandable org chem book
Bruice's way of writing is what separates this book from other texts such as Mcmurry. She conveys complicated ideas in very plain english. Futhermore, the illustrations in this text are superb. The book's clean and spacious format also translated to better brain studying conditions (esp. for OC people like me).

3 cons:
No access number for the book's site
Very expensive (unavailable locally [Philippines])
HEAVY :0

Book is very complex for an intro organic chem text
I was required to use this book for my organic chemistry class.It is very complex and very detailed and I found it difficult to understand - I had to read each section multiple times to get it.I found that "Organic Chemistry" by Francis Carey to be a much better book for a first-time organic chem student.I ended up buying a used copy of that book and using it to help understand the concepts.The Bruice book seems like it would be better for someone who has some background in organic chem and seems to be written as if the reader just needs a refresher in the concepts. ... Read more

Book Description
CliffsQuickReview course guides cover the essentials of your toughest classes. Get a firm grip on core concepts and key material, and approach your exams with newfound confidence.

CliffsQuickReview Organic Chemistry I demystifies the topic with straightforward explanations of the fundamentals. This volume, which focuses on hydrocarbons and stereochemistry, will help you learn almost all of the important points you’ll need to succeed in organic chemistry. (These concepts are applied and further developed in CliffsQuickReview Organic Chemistry II.)

This comprehensive guide begins with a review of general chemistry, including atomic structure, ionic and covalent bonding, and acids and bases. In no time, you'll be ready to take on topics such as

• The structure of organic molecules, including atomic orbitals and hydrocarbons
• Alkanes, including nomenclature, preparations, and halogenation
• Alkenes, including molecular formulas, unsaturation, hydration, polymerization, and epoxide reactions
• Alkynes, cyclohydrocarbons, and conjugated dienes
• Stereochemistry, including optical activity, chirality, projections, and more

With titles available for all the most popular high school and college courses, CliffsQuickReview guides are a comprehensive resource that can help you get the best possible grades. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Cliff's Quick Review Organic Chemistry I
Though thorough and accurate, it does not have any sample problems and solutions, which is part of why I purchased this book.

Helpful Basic Knowledge
This book is a great source of background information and will provide a great starting point for organic chemistry.I would suggest reading it prior to taking a course, or using it as reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Excellent Presentation
I'm amazed at the diversity of reviews for this textbook. Usually, I can spot an exceptinal science textbook and usually the reviews are petty much in agreement but this one is an exception. Oh well - we all have our own opinions, and that's a good thing.

I'm currently into studying Biochemistry and Physics. I bought this book after seeing a pdf version that was part of a "Great Science Textbooks..." collection. As I started browsing the file I found myself being captivated by just about any section I skipped into. That is, I was learning and re-learning some of the fundamentals which I thought I already knew (and probably should've, but didn't), and it was like an "AHAH!" experience when the light would go on. This was great fun! I enjoyed that so much I immediately ordered the book. I began referring back to it to help me with my Biochem studies (via Lehninger and a couple other texts).The last chapter of this textbook is on Biochemistry and actually does a better job at introducing many of the key aspects of that subject than my Biochemistry textbooks. I still find myself frequently consulting this textbook and its resources for a large variety of issues that would otherwise remain subtle points of confusion or mystery. So, I have to give it 5 stars and a hearty recommenation.

Unless u have to, dont buy
This book is not very informative. I would recomend Zumdohl 6e or something else.

Not bad, it does the job
This text is OK and some of the examples and problems are well done.It jumps a bit in subject matter, but that's only compared to the order the subject matter was presented in the class I took.It does seem to contain all the topics that were relevent to Chemistry 1 and the index was spot on in finding the info I needed about a particular term or concept.

Not good when compare to Chang's Chemistry book
This book made me confuse. Not clearly written.

I prefer to use Chang's chemistry book.

Clearly written, richly illustrated, and well organized text for a one year general chemistry course (or self study)
This is an interesting text for a one year general chemistry course.While all general chemistry texts form major publishers have some convergence so they all cover similar basic material, they all have different organizing ideas.What I enjoyed about this text is that it has a clear organizing principle: the periodic table of elements.

The authors not only do the best job I have seen of explaining the origin, evolution, and principles of the periodic table, they also use the properties of groups of elements to illustrate all the principles discussed in the course of the text.This helps the student organize his or her thinking about the ideas discussed in each chapter and section.

In addition to the information imparted in each chapter, the text has many illustrations, use of color in the text itself, a key concept summary (which is a helpful chart that can help the student memorize the ideas and check through their understanding of the principles discussed), key words, understanding key concepts, additional problems (with the red numbered problems having their solutions at the back of the text - most helpful for self study), general problems, and multi-concept problems (involving principles learned in previous chapters and multiple steps).The book also comes with its own CD that has information, animations, and presentations to aid the student in learning the material in each chapter.I particularly like the emphasis in the text on real world applications and processes.The articles the authors call "interludes" are quite interesting and informative.

The authors are correct in urging the student to not simply start reading the material left to right, but to look through the chapter and begin absorbing what is going to be discussed before starting to read.This helps orient the student into how to begin thinking about the material they will encounter.The pictures, illustrations, graphs, and so forth also help one to grasp the concepts that will be discussed.

I think this is an excellent text that is clearly written and thoughtfully presented. ... Read more

Book Description

Serious Science with an Approach Built for Today’s Students

Customer Reviews (6)

It is Organic Chemistry, what can I say?
As Organic Chem. books go, this is the best one I ever got.It is also the only one I own, but that doesn't matter.

Excellent Text (used the 1st Edition)
Several sample problems are worked out in every chapter after each new concept to illustrate the material covered.They are all very clearly explained.

In addition, there are also more than enough problems at the end of each chapter to help students better understand the topics covered, however the answers are not provided in the back of the textbook (this is precisely why the solutions manual is a must buy).

I have worked all the problems presented from chapter 1 to chapter 21 (to include the end of chapter problems), and I have encountered only two or three "bad problems" for which the answers were not explained clearly.Almost every answer to every problem is clearly illustrated - some concepts are even better explained in the solutions manual than in the textbook!

I'd wish the buyer good luck in this class, but I doubt any disciplined, devoted student would need it after using this text with the solution manual.

Best Organic Text Around
I'm currently teaching a two semester organic chem course using professor Smith's book. In my opinion this is the best organic text currently available. The book and the accompanying solutions manual are almost totally free of typographical and conceptual errors.The organization and presentation are done with marvelous clarity; the book is visually beautiful; and the author communicates her enthusiasm and enjoyment of the subject in every chapter.My only minor criticism: I'd like to see a little more historical perspective and acknowledgement of the contributions of the 19th and early 20th century giants who created organic chemisty.

Great O-Chem Book!
This book clearly teaches one how to do organic chemistry.I got an A in Organic Chemistry, but if I didn't have this book I would have failed.This book explains everything the professor didn't.It has a great study guide solutions manual, which gives details to the answers of all the problems.

Worst O. Chem. Text
There are many mistakes in this book in many of the mechanisms. Many of the mechanisms are not completely drawn out and are missing many arrows and non-bonded/lone pair electrons. Compared to other O.Chem. textbooks that I have read, this one does not flow in a manner that is very easy to follow and the frequent mistakes make it even more difficult. I would not recommend this book to any professor or student taking O.Chem. ... Read more

Book Description
This concise guide provides all the content you need for the Chemistry IB diploma at both Standard and Higher Level.BLIt follows the structure of the IB Programme exactly and includes all the optionsBLEach topic is presented on its own page for clarityBLHigher Level material clearly indicatedBLPlenty of practice questionsBLWritten with an awareness that English might not be the reader's first language ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great review for test
I used this book two years ago, sorry about late review, but it is the reason why I passed IB Chemistry higher level.In the two weeks or so before the exam I went through the entire book, reading everything and doing the problems at the end of each chapter and it was amazing and very helpful.It organizes everyhting into groups and charts that make it much easier to review/memorize/learn.HL and SL material is also clearly marked.Helped me all throughout the year for reviews for tests also.A must have.

A good study helper...
... but I wouldn't rely too heavily on it.The book was very informative, but it was hard to grasp the basic formulas because they aren't clearly presented- they're just used in examples.While this may work fine for some, it isn't a best choice for presenting information.
It was helpful in studying for my IB test and getting the vocabulary right, but that's about all.

essential but not by any means enough
I believe this is an essential book for any IB chemistry student. This is because of the following reasons:
1. This book is concise and direct. It summarizes what you need to know in IB chemistry in less than 200 pages. This is very concise compared to other IB chemistry books as the IBID's book which has more than 600 pages.
2. This book managed to present information in a relatively interesting way. The organization of paragraphs and information is less "boring" compared to other conventional books.

However, this book is by no means enough due to the following reasons:
1. This book offers very few past IB questions. This is a great disadvantage because solving past exams is a vital part of preparing for the exam.
2. This is a great revision book. It is a study guide perhaps not very fit for 1st time study. In order to use this book alone, you must have a really good teacher.

Now personally, I strongly recommend using this book with another bigger IB or A-level book and solving tons of past exams. The bigger book will be for first time study and this book will be used for monthly revisions. I believe this is the best way to get a 7. By the way, I got a 7 in IB chem. HL.

I hope this review is of benefit.

Very Helpful
I always use this book to study before the tests in class.Its very condensed but does not skip over anything.It also has short and concise definitions which are easy to remember.

Concise and to the Point
This book may be very concise, but it has basic outlines for all fundamental points one needs to know to get good marks on the papers. Use it to review. Highly recommended, especially for those who are doing Higher Level Chemistry. ... Read more