Molecules The elements and the architecture of everything

This wonderfully illustrated and informative book, used with the author's previous book, The Elements (CH, May'10, 47-5023), could serve as a "crash" but enjoyable introduction to chemistry, especially organic chemistry. Early on, Gray (popular science writer; cofounder, Wolfram Research) defines the terms compound, chemical, and organic and attempts to dispel all-too-common misconceptions about them and their misuse. Designations such as natural and artificial and the sources of chemicals should not really matter. All chemical compounds described are illustrated with chemical formula line drawings, photographs of the compounds or materials (often commercial) made from them, or both. In the introduction, Gray explains that the book's organization is more like going through a chemistry set (still available!) rather than a typical textbook. He describes more than a dozen classes of chemicals and materials, and facts and factoids abound. The book is a storehouse of information on "descriptive chemistry," the kind of information that attracts so many to chemistry (and is often lacking in chemistry texts), even those not destined to become chemists. Gray provides excellent material to combat "chemophobia." This reasonably priced work is useful for introductory chemistry courses, including precollege and "chemistry for poets," science education majors, and laypeople. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Undergraduate and secondary school students; general readers. --Robert Edward Buntrock, University of Maine

Building on the success of his previous works, Gray (Wolfram Research; The Elements) introduces a coffee-table book that moves beyond elements and into molecules. Through photographs and illustrations, the author introduces us to many of the molecules that affect our everyday and not-so-everyday lives. While anyone can appreciate the impressive visuals in this book, others will be frustrated by Gray's prose style. The text is written at an uncomfortable intermediate level; some captions go into great or even excessive detail, while others are sparse at best. Readers with moderate to extensive knowledge of the subject will question many of Gray's descriptions and assertions, and those with little or no chemical education will be unable to understand other captions owing to their incomplete explanations. The focus is clearly on the photography, often to the extreme detriment of substance and coverage. VERDICT Readers who wish to learn more about chemistry would be better served with another work that isn't so strongly focused on photography. Those already familiar with the topic are sure to enjoy the images. John Kromer, Miami Univ. of Ohio Lib., Oxford, OH (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.