Overall, despite the black and white illustrations, this book is anything but overbearing and would make an excellent introduction for any chemist or potential chemist.

The basis for chemistry explained..., 2003-04-13
This book provides an excellent basis for the study of chemistry and is ideal for for those about to begin the first year of a chemistry degree. It brings together concepts from different areas of chemistry, ranging from thermodynamics to organic chemistry, to provide a comprehensive explanation of, well, why reactions happen.

I found the topics covered by the authors to be clearly presented and in a logical order, with excellent use of diagrams and examples to support the ideas discussed in the text. Emphasis is firmly placed on understanding why things happen rather than the learning of 'rules'.

The authors suggest that this book would be suitable for those who have just completed A-level chemistry or are first year undergraduates, however, I believe it would be of interest to a wider audience both as a teaching resource and for graduates who want to refresh their understanding of the basics. I found the book easy to read and useful as it reminded me of how I should think about the chemistry with which I am already familiar.

A 'must read' for first year undergrads, 2003-04-23
This book gives an excellent explanation of the basic ideas in chemistry. It is different from most other chemistry books in that it brings together ideas from what are usually considered different areas of chemistry to give a reader friendly (thermodynamics without the maths!) explanation of, well, why chemical reactions happen. The topics covered by the authors are clearly presented with loads of diagrams and everyday examples to support the text. Emphasis is placed on understanding why things happen rather than the learning of 'rules'.

The book is aimed at first year undergraduates/those who are about to begin studying chemistry at university (and I would definitely recommend it as pre-university reading) however, I think it would also be of interest to a wider audience - even though I'm a chemistry graduate I found reading the book useful because it explained the basics more clearly than any other textbook I've read.

• Nature's Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements
• Foundations of Science Mathematics (Oxford Chemistry Primers)
• Organic Chemistry
• Atkins' Physical Chemistry
• Made to Measure: New Materials for the 21st Century (Princeton Paperbacks)