The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things

Its a bit dated. I recognized some of the older items on the supply and shopping lists like 'laundry blueing' but I doubt any younger readers would. Also some items would be hard to find in today's stores locally. Not the right book for my intended recipient. My mom and me could shoot a few bottle rockets across the neighborhood though!

This book is fantastic. I just graduated with a degree in political science last year and just started working towards a degree in science or engineering (haven't decided whether I am going to major in chemistry, biology, or chemical engineering). I just started general chemistry 1. The Joy of Chemistry was extremely helpful in helping me prepare for general chemistry. Over e past year I read through a general chemistry textbook and I was amazed to find that The Joy of Chemistry actually explains many important concepts in greater detail than my textbook explained them. Unlike a textbook however this book is pretty much math free which I think is great for beginners and people like me who are looking for a book with a conceptual approach to chemistry to supplement their academic study of chemistry.

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.

I got this book to try to provide some context to help my students understand chemistry. So far, I have not been able to squeeze in much extra, but being able to provide a quick example to illustrate helps. I intend to incorporate some of the examples into a reading assignment, and have the students research for more details.Very helpful, and just plain interesting. Well written, in an engaging style.

Got it from the library as a 2nd year chemistry teacher. Had to get my own copy!

I bought this book because of an intriguing review in Science News. This book makes chemsitry accessible to adults who would like to learn more - it includes a shopping list so you can go out and get supplies for all the demonstrations described in the book, and then read about what is going on. I plan on incorporating some of the demos and, more importantly, the book's spirit of curiosity into my own teaching of a chemistry unit within a high school general science course.

Vey interesting book that makes easy the understanding of chemistry. This is good for preparing a lecture or just for information as a cultural point of view. I recommend it for chemistry students.

What a great book! The thing is very well laid out and written, with clear, contained experiments and great guidance as to materials and methods. It'll be a great resource for our summer explorations in chemistry.