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Elements #2
Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything, Book 2 of 3
InÌý Molecules, bestselling author Theodore GrayÌýdemonstrates, through stunning, never-before-seen images and illustrations, how the elements of the periodic table combine to form the molecules that make up our world.
Everything physical is made up of the elements and the infinite variety of molecules they form when they combine with each other. In Molecules , Theodore Gray takes the next step in the story that began with the periodic table in his best-selling book, The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe . Here, he explores, through fascinating stories and trademark stunning photography, the most interesting, essential, useful, and beautiful of the millions of chemical structures that make up every material in the world.
Gray begins with an explanation of how atoms bond to form molecules and compounds, as well as the difference between organic and inorganic chemistry. He then goes on to explore the vast array of materials molecules can create, including: soaps and solvents; goops and oils; rocks and ores; ropes and fibers; painkillers and dangerous drugs; sweeteners; perfumes and stink bombs; colors and pigments; and controversial compounds including asbestos, CFCs, and thimerosal.
Big, gorgeous photographs, as well as diagrams of the compounds and their chemical bonds, rendered with never before seen beauty, fill the pages and capture molecules in their various states.
As he did in The Elements , Gray shows us molecules as we've never seen them before. It's the perfect book for his loyal fans who've been eager for more and for anyone fascinated with the mysteries of the material world.
Everything physical is made up of the elements and the infinite variety of molecules they form when they combine with each other. In Molecules , Theodore Gray takes the next step in the story that began with the periodic table in his best-selling book, The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe . Here, he explores, through fascinating stories and trademark stunning photography, the most interesting, essential, useful, and beautiful of the millions of chemical structures that make up every material in the world.
Gray begins with an explanation of how atoms bond to form molecules and compounds, as well as the difference between organic and inorganic chemistry. He then goes on to explore the vast array of materials molecules can create, including: soaps and solvents; goops and oils; rocks and ores; ropes and fibers; painkillers and dangerous drugs; sweeteners; perfumes and stink bombs; colors and pigments; and controversial compounds including asbestos, CFCs, and thimerosal.
Big, gorgeous photographs, as well as diagrams of the compounds and their chemical bonds, rendered with never before seen beauty, fill the pages and capture molecules in their various states.
As he did in The Elements , Gray shows us molecules as we've never seen them before. It's the perfect book for his loyal fans who've been eager for more and for anyone fascinated with the mysteries of the material world.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2014
341 people are currently reading
2,972 people want to read
About the author
Theodore Gray
30Ìýbooks121ÌýfollowersTheodore Gray is the author of 'The Elements' and 'Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home-But Probably Shouldn't', and of Popular Science magazine's 'Gray Matter' column. He is the proprietor of periodictable.com and the creator of the iconic photographic periodic table poster seen in universities, schools, museums, and on TV shows from 'MythBusters' to 'Hannah Montana'. In his other life, he is co-founder of the software company Wolfram Research, creators of the world's leading technical software system, Mathematica®, and WolframlAlphaTM. He lives in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 2, 2022
This is not a “coffee table picture book.� Yes, it is large-format. Yes, it has pictures. But it isn’t like Elements from the same publishers. The pictures are often details of structure, not pretty pictures of materials. This is a good introduction to chemistry.
"IT’S ASTONISHING how much of chemistry involves only about half a dozen elements. Pretty much the entire fields of organic chemistry and biochemistry are to do with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, with a very few other elements showing up from time to time and in relatively small quantities. A greater diversity of elements is found in the world of inorganic compounds, but quite frankly the entire range of interesting inorganic compounds would fit in a small corner of one room in the house of chemistry (sorry, inorganic chemists). The real action in modern chemistry is centered on carbon, because carbon is the element of life—the basic building block of the great majority of molecules that are significant to living things."
Gray has made a fine attempt to make each chapter interesting as he builds the reader’s knowledge bit by bit.
"In Chapter 2, we’ll learn about sweet oil of vitriol and how chemical compounds have three names. In Chapter 3, we’ll learn how the synthesis of this compound forced everyone who understood it to rethink the deepest questions of life. In Chapter 4, we’ll learn how fatty acids help keep you clean�. In Chapter 9, we’ll learn why one of these bowls is so much smaller than the other. In Chapter 10 we’ll learn why natural vanilla extract is radioactive, but synthetic vanilla is not."
The information isn’t just dry facts and rote learning. We get some of Gray’s personal opinions and discussions of public health and safety along with the “facts� of chemistry.
"IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, we learned about natural and artificial sweeteners. Compounds like saccharin and aspartame are a touchy subject. A lot of people don’t trust them, and the most popular ones have all been put through scientific, regulatory, and public opinion wringers. But natural plant extracts such as stevia often get a free ride. People tend to assume they are OK until proven otherwise, and they get considerably less scrutiny from regulators. You might think, given my generally positive attitude toward chemistry, that I would be eager to try out new synthetic sweeteners. But this is not the case. Despite the best efforts (and sometimes the sloppy or corrupt efforts) of government and industry to test compounds for safety, subtle problems with new molecules may show up only after they have been used by millions of people over many years. I tend to feel that it’s best to give these things a few decades to shake out."
Definitely glad that I found this book, though it isn’t the continuous joy and inspiration that I had with Stuff Matters. /review/show...
3.5*
"IT’S ASTONISHING how much of chemistry involves only about half a dozen elements. Pretty much the entire fields of organic chemistry and biochemistry are to do with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, with a very few other elements showing up from time to time and in relatively small quantities. A greater diversity of elements is found in the world of inorganic compounds, but quite frankly the entire range of interesting inorganic compounds would fit in a small corner of one room in the house of chemistry (sorry, inorganic chemists). The real action in modern chemistry is centered on carbon, because carbon is the element of life—the basic building block of the great majority of molecules that are significant to living things."
Gray has made a fine attempt to make each chapter interesting as he builds the reader’s knowledge bit by bit.
"In Chapter 2, we’ll learn about sweet oil of vitriol and how chemical compounds have three names. In Chapter 3, we’ll learn how the synthesis of this compound forced everyone who understood it to rethink the deepest questions of life. In Chapter 4, we’ll learn how fatty acids help keep you clean�. In Chapter 9, we’ll learn why one of these bowls is so much smaller than the other. In Chapter 10 we’ll learn why natural vanilla extract is radioactive, but synthetic vanilla is not."
The information isn’t just dry facts and rote learning. We get some of Gray’s personal opinions and discussions of public health and safety along with the “facts� of chemistry.
"IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER, we learned about natural and artificial sweeteners. Compounds like saccharin and aspartame are a touchy subject. A lot of people don’t trust them, and the most popular ones have all been put through scientific, regulatory, and public opinion wringers. But natural plant extracts such as stevia often get a free ride. People tend to assume they are OK until proven otherwise, and they get considerably less scrutiny from regulators. You might think, given my generally positive attitude toward chemistry, that I would be eager to try out new synthetic sweeteners. But this is not the case. Despite the best efforts (and sometimes the sloppy or corrupt efforts) of government and industry to test compounds for safety, subtle problems with new molecules may show up only after they have been used by millions of people over many years. I tend to feel that it’s best to give these things a few decades to shake out."
Definitely glad that I found this book, though it isn’t the continuous joy and inspiration that I had with Stuff Matters. /review/show...
3.5*
December 21, 2019
I wish I'd had this book before I took college chemistry. Whereas a chemistry text presents the subject as one the student must understand thoroughly before beginning study, Gray shows some of the simplicity. Where university chemistry presents Organic Chemistry as this vast, incomprehensible field, with millions of compounds, Gray shows us how carbon atoms combine with each other and with hydrogen, in simple, predictable ways.
Pages 19-20, and page 228, are particularly illuminating. Pages 19-20 show all the 50 ways 1, 2, 3, or 4 carbon atoms can form molecules with just each other and hydrogen.
1 Carbon atom can form just one such molecule: CH4, methane.
2 Carbons can form three distinct molecules: C2H2 acetylene, C2H4 ethylene (ethene), C2H6 ethane.
3 carbons can form nine distinct molecules:
C3 (no hydrogen), cyclopropatriene.
C3H2 two ways
C3H4 three ways
C3H6 two ways
C3H8 one way, 2-methylpropene
4 carbons can form 37 distinct molecules:
C4 (no hydrogen), 3 ways
C4H2, 7 ways
C4H4, 11 ways
C4H6, 9 ways
C4H8, 5 ways
C4H10, 2 ways
Gray shows us pictures of all of these: in every case each carbon has 4 bonds to other carbon or hydrogen atoms; each hydrogen has one bond.
Page 228 shows DNA's code.
A DNA molecule is a library of books called chromosomes, composed of sentences called genes. Each gene codes for one protein. Genes are written in a language that has 22 words in its dictionary. The words are called codons: each codon specifies a particular amino acid (building blocks of proteins), or a "STOP: end of gene: end of sentence. end of protein." The codons are all three-letter words. The letters are the bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine: A, G, C, T.
Gray shows us which amino acid (21 in all) is coded for by each of the possible 64 codons, each a three-letter word of AGCTs.
It's a picture book. Gray bemoans how many of the pictures are of white powders, which many organic compounds are.
Gray explains how the structure of the molecule gives rise to the physical and chemical properties of the compound.
Molecules is a kind of a sequel to Gray's book, The Elements. However, comparing the two books makes clear that it is in combining that chemical elements become interesting. The Elements seems to be largely just a set of photos of Gray's odd collection of items fashioned from pure or nearly pure chemical elements. The Molecules book demystifies some of the basics of chemistry--and points out how very few chemical elements--indeed, just two, carbon and hydrogen--it takes to make a great many of the most useful and ubiquitous compounds.
Gray's other books, on Mad Science, feature him doing impressive and dangerous demonstrations, such as salting popcorn in the smoke formed by bubbling pure chlorine through molten sodium.
Gray is a true egghead: one of the authors of Mathematica software, which does seemingly impossible computation. He's a lifelong amateur chemist, and very good at explaining how things work.
Some of Gray's insights I've put into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ trivia question form:
/trivia/auth...
Pages 19-20, and page 228, are particularly illuminating. Pages 19-20 show all the 50 ways 1, 2, 3, or 4 carbon atoms can form molecules with just each other and hydrogen.
1 Carbon atom can form just one such molecule: CH4, methane.
2 Carbons can form three distinct molecules: C2H2 acetylene, C2H4 ethylene (ethene), C2H6 ethane.
3 carbons can form nine distinct molecules:
C3 (no hydrogen), cyclopropatriene.
C3H2 two ways
C3H4 three ways
C3H6 two ways
C3H8 one way, 2-methylpropene
4 carbons can form 37 distinct molecules:
C4 (no hydrogen), 3 ways
C4H2, 7 ways
C4H4, 11 ways
C4H6, 9 ways
C4H8, 5 ways
C4H10, 2 ways
Gray shows us pictures of all of these: in every case each carbon has 4 bonds to other carbon or hydrogen atoms; each hydrogen has one bond.
Page 228 shows DNA's code.
A DNA molecule is a library of books called chromosomes, composed of sentences called genes. Each gene codes for one protein. Genes are written in a language that has 22 words in its dictionary. The words are called codons: each codon specifies a particular amino acid (building blocks of proteins), or a "STOP: end of gene: end of sentence. end of protein." The codons are all three-letter words. The letters are the bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine: A, G, C, T.
Gray shows us which amino acid (21 in all) is coded for by each of the possible 64 codons, each a three-letter word of AGCTs.
It's a picture book. Gray bemoans how many of the pictures are of white powders, which many organic compounds are.
Gray explains how the structure of the molecule gives rise to the physical and chemical properties of the compound.
Molecules is a kind of a sequel to Gray's book, The Elements. However, comparing the two books makes clear that it is in combining that chemical elements become interesting. The Elements seems to be largely just a set of photos of Gray's odd collection of items fashioned from pure or nearly pure chemical elements. The Molecules book demystifies some of the basics of chemistry--and points out how very few chemical elements--indeed, just two, carbon and hydrogen--it takes to make a great many of the most useful and ubiquitous compounds.
Gray's other books, on Mad Science, feature him doing impressive and dangerous demonstrations, such as salting popcorn in the smoke formed by bubbling pure chlorine through molten sodium.
Gray is a true egghead: one of the authors of Mathematica software, which does seemingly impossible computation. He's a lifelong amateur chemist, and very good at explaining how things work.
Some of Gray's insights I've put into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ trivia question form:
/trivia/auth...
December 16, 2017
Even better than it's prequel, . This follow-up book is FULL of fun and interesting facts and knowledge related to how the elements combine together in infinite ways to make up ALL of what we interact with on a daily basis. The author does a fantastic job pointing out the foolishness of our modern fetish over "organic" foods. Whether something is safe or healthy has nothing to do w/ how "natural," "organic," or "synthetic" it may be, but rather what chemicals it is comprised of.
Quote: "Common table sugar (sucrose) and it's close relatives glucose and fructose are all toxic in the amounts we eat them. They contribute to diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, macular degeneration, peripheral neuropathy, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Were they artificial, all of them would have been banned long ago." - pg. 157 Meanwhile, all the hysteria over artificial sweeteners is demonstrated to be as yet completely unfounded. Of course, I myself will continue to enjoy devouring my arch-nemesis, the cinnamon roll, at every opportunity, so whatever.
Soaps, Fibers, Drugs, Hydrocarbons, Smells, etc. are all covered in just the right amount of fascinating detail for my level of interest in the subject. A superb introductory book for someone who might think they wish to explore more deeply into the world of chemistry and the building blocks of creation. Even moreso than in his previous book, the author's humor and personality as well as his obvious knowledge of the subject matter come out in an engaging way alongside the fantastic photographs and diagrams.
My only complaint is the author's inability to stay away from the carbon dioxide / global warming debate at the very end, to include the much overused and tired "side of history" trope. It was only 2 pages out of the book though, so no reason to dock a star for it.
Quote: "Common table sugar (sucrose) and it's close relatives glucose and fructose are all toxic in the amounts we eat them. They contribute to diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, macular degeneration, peripheral neuropathy, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Were they artificial, all of them would have been banned long ago." - pg. 157 Meanwhile, all the hysteria over artificial sweeteners is demonstrated to be as yet completely unfounded. Of course, I myself will continue to enjoy devouring my arch-nemesis, the cinnamon roll, at every opportunity, so whatever.
Soaps, Fibers, Drugs, Hydrocarbons, Smells, etc. are all covered in just the right amount of fascinating detail for my level of interest in the subject. A superb introductory book for someone who might think they wish to explore more deeply into the world of chemistry and the building blocks of creation. Even moreso than in his previous book, the author's humor and personality as well as his obvious knowledge of the subject matter come out in an engaging way alongside the fantastic photographs and diagrams.
My only complaint is the author's inability to stay away from the carbon dioxide / global warming debate at the very end, to include the much overused and tired "side of history" trope. It was only 2 pages out of the book though, so no reason to dock a star for it.
October 3, 2014
I have been flip-flopping like a confused politician over whether to give this book three or four stars. Part of me wants to give it three, because I really can't see the point of coffee table books. Apart from anything else, I haven't got a coffee table. As far as I can see such books are just designed for decoration, too big to really read, just to be flipped through occasionally. Admittedly, this is at the small end of such volumes, but it is decidedly hard on the wrists if you try to read it, and I think it has to count as one.
But then I switch round and am tempted to like it much more. It is full colour, glossy pages all the way, and some of the illustrations are very good. Rather than simply list a whole load of chemical compounds and why they are interesting, in parts of the book Theodore Gray really makes things come alive by linking together a set of the page spreads. For instance there's a reaction via sulfuric acid leading to ether (no, I'm not being American, the Royal Society of Chemistry insists on sulfur rather than sulphur, as my spellchecker wistfully wants it still to be, these days). But rather than just show the sequence of molecules, Gray gives it to us three times, first with the rather beautiful alchemical names like 'oil of vitriol' and 'spirit of wine', then with the common names and finally the modern systematic names.
There are other good sequences, like a section on soaps. But here is where I flop back again to my final three star rating. In the end the overall effect still was a little bit dull. There are rather a lot of chemical structures (inevitably), which though done with pretty graphics, look dim and uninspiring on the arty, but in the end off-putting black background on which each page is based. And in the end, the book has no continuity, no arc, nothing to make it readable as a continuing narrative. It's a collection of facts. Sometimes interesting facts - but not what makes for good popular science. It might make a good school book, though. And it's certainly a worthwhile effort - a handsome and pictorially impressive presentation.
But then I switch round and am tempted to like it much more. It is full colour, glossy pages all the way, and some of the illustrations are very good. Rather than simply list a whole load of chemical compounds and why they are interesting, in parts of the book Theodore Gray really makes things come alive by linking together a set of the page spreads. For instance there's a reaction via sulfuric acid leading to ether (no, I'm not being American, the Royal Society of Chemistry insists on sulfur rather than sulphur, as my spellchecker wistfully wants it still to be, these days). But rather than just show the sequence of molecules, Gray gives it to us three times, first with the rather beautiful alchemical names like 'oil of vitriol' and 'spirit of wine', then with the common names and finally the modern systematic names.
There are other good sequences, like a section on soaps. But here is where I flop back again to my final three star rating. In the end the overall effect still was a little bit dull. There are rather a lot of chemical structures (inevitably), which though done with pretty graphics, look dim and uninspiring on the arty, but in the end off-putting black background on which each page is based. And in the end, the book has no continuity, no arc, nothing to make it readable as a continuing narrative. It's a collection of facts. Sometimes interesting facts - but not what makes for good popular science. It might make a good school book, though. And it's certainly a worthwhile effort - a handsome and pictorially impressive presentation.
December 1, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was captivating, informative and complex. The book discussed many topics with the classic Gray literary voice. It explained how the use of scientific names is enough to allow someone to understand quite a bit of information about the compound, all while keeping the reader engaged by using the example of the components and process of formulating ether. He described polarity of molecules and it's role in dissolving, making soap, and the beginnings of life. He also showed what polymers are and how they are essential in almost everything we use such as plastics and ropes.
Additionally, these things were all accompanied by extremely beautiful pictures of his specimens that helped to illustrate his point, interest the reader, or sometimes simply to make the reader laugh a bit. In his chapter about colorful chemicals he showed how few molecules actually have color and are largely just white powders, but only a little bit of pigment goes a long way so the world ends up looking colorful, and illustrates this point by arranging those molecules into exquisite formations.
Overall I would highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in science.
Additionally, these things were all accompanied by extremely beautiful pictures of his specimens that helped to illustrate his point, interest the reader, or sometimes simply to make the reader laugh a bit. In his chapter about colorful chemicals he showed how few molecules actually have color and are largely just white powders, but only a little bit of pigment goes a long way so the world ends up looking colorful, and illustrates this point by arranging those molecules into exquisite formations.
Overall I would highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in science.
January 9, 2015
Another hit from Theodore Gray. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I started with the Elements, then the supplement, then mad science and so on. Molecules is another great addition to that collection.
As a chemistry teacher, I'm always looking for a way to make science more meaningful for students, as well as more interesting and more applicable to their lives. This book does a fantastic job in making it perfectly plain how ubiquitous chemistry is in our lives and how critical it is to our lives. I found numerous instances of things I could incorporate in my class that would be interesting for most students as well as educational. I loved reading this book for that. In addition, I found the book personally fascinating. The pictures were fabulous as usual and the descriptions were complete, concise, and sometimes comical. 5 stars gray, excellent job.
As a chemistry teacher, I'm always looking for a way to make science more meaningful for students, as well as more interesting and more applicable to their lives. This book does a fantastic job in making it perfectly plain how ubiquitous chemistry is in our lives and how critical it is to our lives. I found numerous instances of things I could incorporate in my class that would be interesting for most students as well as educational. I loved reading this book for that. In addition, I found the book personally fascinating. The pictures were fabulous as usual and the descriptions were complete, concise, and sometimes comical. 5 stars gray, excellent job.
January 13, 2016
Molecules, the 'sequel' to , isn't quite as good as the original but still a fascinating book. The main draw for the book are the outstanding photos on every single page. For instance, the chapter on colours is page after page of eye-popping photos of dyes, fruit, minerals and other assorted colourful objects. Its not all pretty pictures though, you can learn quite a bit. I didn't expect to see orbital cloud diagrams, but there they were.
It probably says a lot about me that the prospect of the next book being called 'Reactions' excites me quite a bit.
It probably says a lot about me that the prospect of the next book being called 'Reactions' excites me quite a bit.
June 5, 2021
Love this series and it's funny
May 25, 2022
I read this as part of learning chemistry with Davey and Lana. It was an enjoyable read with fabulous pictures and a lively, amusing writing style.
September 13, 2017
Just awesome. Great teaching on atoms and molecules, and great exploration.
December 31, 2014
I've known about Theodore Gray for a long while. I've been a fan of since I stumbled across it my first year teaching. I read the entirety of his webpage before he made his now based off it. I subscribed to Popular Science magazine solely because he wrote a monthly article for them at the time. I didn't mind cancelling the subscription either after I confirmed that he had stopped writing for them. Ten members of the Class of 2011 purchased the big version of his poster for me when they were freshmen as a Christmas gift. It hangs prominently in my classroom. I have been a fan for a while and so when his book came out I purchased it and read it cover to cover. I've looked at his & books, but since they were just reprints of his Popular Science articles I decided not to purchase them. I'll admit that I haven't bought a lot of the ancillary merchandise nor did I buy the , although I did snag it up when it became free.
So I was excited to learn that was doing a sequel to . Again I have not purchased the and I waited until I received the book as a Christmas gift to read it. I read it all the way through in about two days. I was not as visually appealing as , but there was still a lot that I learned from it. even made fun of the book himself several times as he commented that it was difficult to find ways to make piles of white powder interesting. There were times where I wished the book spent more time on one [pigments] topic or less on others [fibers]. As much as I liked to molecular representation of molecules there were times where the differences only come out in 3-dimensions, and although I appreciate the consistency of format there were other times where it was broken to show complicated molecules and I wish the same had been done on these exceptions.
I was also excited to hear in a that there will be a third in the future that will focus on Reactions. The first was certainly better, but I liked this book a lot and am glad to have it as a reference.
So I was excited to learn that was doing a sequel to . Again I have not purchased the and I waited until I received the book as a Christmas gift to read it. I read it all the way through in about two days. I was not as visually appealing as , but there was still a lot that I learned from it. even made fun of the book himself several times as he commented that it was difficult to find ways to make piles of white powder interesting. There were times where I wished the book spent more time on one [pigments] topic or less on others [fibers]. As much as I liked to molecular representation of molecules there were times where the differences only come out in 3-dimensions, and although I appreciate the consistency of format there were other times where it was broken to show complicated molecules and I wish the same had been done on these exceptions.
I was also excited to hear in a that there will be a third in the future that will focus on Reactions. The first was certainly better, but I liked this book a lot and am glad to have it as a reference.
December 8, 2015
Science fanatics, rejoice!
The second of 's awesome books about science, delivers. After reading the previous book, , I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed when I picked this one up.
The Elements had an order, from the first up until the most recently discovered according to the Periodic Table. It's limited. But not so with Molecules. They are boundless, limitless, and would be a very heavy tome of chemistry and wordiness that very few would want to pick up. Instead, Gray presents the book with a main focus on organic chemistry, as that's where most of the cool stuff we use everyday comes in. He splits the book up into chapters, from an introduction of why certain atoms bond together, to the world of oils and water and waxes, to the long chains of fiber, and even the building blocks of DNA. Of course, what makes this book so awesome are the beautifully photographed pictures of all of these concepts that he discusses. The book would be replete without them.
If you're into chemistry even just a little bit, check out this wonderful work of art. You'll be glad you did.
The second of 's awesome books about science, delivers. After reading the previous book, , I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed when I picked this one up.
The Elements had an order, from the first up until the most recently discovered according to the Periodic Table. It's limited. But not so with Molecules. They are boundless, limitless, and would be a very heavy tome of chemistry and wordiness that very few would want to pick up. Instead, Gray presents the book with a main focus on organic chemistry, as that's where most of the cool stuff we use everyday comes in. He splits the book up into chapters, from an introduction of why certain atoms bond together, to the world of oils and water and waxes, to the long chains of fiber, and even the building blocks of DNA. Of course, what makes this book so awesome are the beautifully photographed pictures of all of these concepts that he discusses. The book would be replete without them.
If you're into chemistry even just a little bit, check out this wonderful work of art. You'll be glad you did.
March 13, 2015
I picked up Molecules from the library's "just in" shelves to see if this would be a good book for teaching people about chemistry. As I flipped open the first few pages, I was intrigued by the fact that all the pages were black and had full, glossy coloured images on them. It really made the chemistry stand out in a way I've never seen it before.
The layout is amazing, easy to read, easy to follow, and more importantly, makes sense. While I was explaining polymers to students, major polymer examples were right there so I could easily flip to them and show the students the importance these have on their lives. And ore processing? The entire thing within a page of each other so you can easily put together a story about how we go from elements to molecules to using things in our lives.
The best thing about this book is not the ease of teaching yourself, but rather that it easily captured the attention of an apathetic teen with a penchant for rolling his eyes screaming "I don't care" and hold it for over an hour while he flipped through the pages quietly and reading the descriptions.
Put those two things together and this became an amazing tool to help tutor people in chemistry. As someone that is interested in chemistry (and soil chemist), I found it really delightful to look at and wished I had something like this growing up. It really brings the concepts to life in a way that the dull chemistry books of old never could.
The layout is amazing, easy to read, easy to follow, and more importantly, makes sense. While I was explaining polymers to students, major polymer examples were right there so I could easily flip to them and show the students the importance these have on their lives. And ore processing? The entire thing within a page of each other so you can easily put together a story about how we go from elements to molecules to using things in our lives.
The best thing about this book is not the ease of teaching yourself, but rather that it easily captured the attention of an apathetic teen with a penchant for rolling his eyes screaming "I don't care" and hold it for over an hour while he flipped through the pages quietly and reading the descriptions.
Put those two things together and this became an amazing tool to help tutor people in chemistry. As someone that is interested in chemistry (and soil chemist), I found it really delightful to look at and wished I had something like this growing up. It really brings the concepts to life in a way that the dull chemistry books of old never could.
December 4, 2015
4.5 stars
This is an awesome chemistry book. I'm going to make my kids read it before starting high school chemistry. You can skim it for the pretty pictures and basic information, or you can read it cover to cover and learn a lot. The book kind of covers the five senses: what causes color, taste, smell, and texture. You'll see how soap forces oil and water to mix and how it's chemically impossible for vaccines to cause autism. You will be awe-struck at how the world runs according to how tiny atoms and molecules interact with each other.
This is an awesome chemistry book. I'm going to make my kids read it before starting high school chemistry. You can skim it for the pretty pictures and basic information, or you can read it cover to cover and learn a lot. The book kind of covers the five senses: what causes color, taste, smell, and texture. You'll see how soap forces oil and water to mix and how it's chemically impossible for vaccines to cause autism. You will be awe-struck at how the world runs according to how tiny atoms and molecules interact with each other.
March 2, 2016
This book was okay. It was very informative on the structure of molecules to organic compounds to even water, oil, and soap. It was a little too informative, however. It got boring at some parts when all it talked about was very long compound names. Sine the author talked directly to the audience, it kept me from closing the book. Also, I liked this book because I've always wanted to be a chemist. I recommend this book only to people who like science or who are curios about what the world is made of.
January 7, 2020
I LOVE Theodore Gray! I wish I had this book before I took chemistry in college! I learned a lot! AND IT WAS FUN!! The chapter "I hate this molecule" wasnt completely objective for him personally but the information was still factual. I would read any book Theodore Gray writes in the future. I think every middle school and highschool chemistry class should have this book! Cant wait to get my hands on "Reactions"
August 9, 2020
A worthy follow-on to the author's Elements book. Unlike the Elements book, though, where you could see him laboring to say something, anything interesting about some of the rarer ones with few applications, this tome on molecules is chockful of fascinating tidbits. Wish I had had this book back when I was in high school chemistry. His explanation on carbon bonding is so intuitive, it should be mandatory reading.
April 25, 2016
This was a very interesting book that teaches yous everything from DNA to asbestos. The most interesting part of the book was learning about the toxic molecules. I also like how the author has a really dry sense of humor. I would recommend this book to pretty much anybody; you do not need to know any science to fully understand this (which is also why I really enjoyed this book).
June 30, 2018
The p-book is truly beautiful, but the iPad version of the book is remarkable!
You can play around with the jiggling molecules in 3D, while the app is presenting all the text from the book illustrated by interactive animations. One of the rare examples of a book vastly improved, not degraded by "appification".
You can play around with the jiggling molecules in 3D, while the app is presenting all the text from the book illustrated by interactive animations. One of the rare examples of a book vastly improved, not degraded by "appification".
November 1, 2021
It provides a good amount of knowledge on different molecules used in daily life, including sweeteners, acid, salt.
It is also fascinating to see organic molecules, though mainly using carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, can form so many kinds, for really wide applications. Slight difference can cause one beneficial to become toxic.
It is also fascinating to see organic molecules, though mainly using carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, can form so many kinds, for really wide applications. Slight difference can cause one beneficial to become toxic.
August 8, 2015
This is such an engaging book to explain Molecules. There is humor and beautiful photos brought into the presentation of the subject. This is chemistry coming alive. it is cataloged as Adult, but it is good for teens.
March 18, 2016
This book has so much good information and beautiful pictures. The text is informative and keeps my attention. The only downside is that it's a big coffee table book so it was hard to hold while reading.
November 28, 2016
I love fun facts, and this book is chock-a-block full of fun facts. I've long hated chemistry, but Molecules has caused me to rethink this stance. Gray picks and chooses the most interesting topics to laypeople, and the full-colour photographs are splendid.
February 3, 2017
This book is like being guided on a personal tour of a science museum by its owner. The photographs are engaging, and the commentary is concise and witty. The author must have had a blast collecting everything used in this book; I got a kick out of his animal urine collection.
August 11, 2018
ENGLISH: Fascinating survey of organic chemistry, with beautiful photography and great explanations.
SPANISH: Un recorrido fascinante por la quÃmica orgánica, con hermosas fotos e interesantes explicaciones.
SPANISH: Un recorrido fascinante por la quÃmica orgánica, con hermosas fotos e interesantes explicaciones.
February 7, 2020
I loved this book so much! The photos were really nice, along with the examples and explanations! I just started teaching an organic chemistry course, and this helped me better explain certain things like soap and natural vs. synthetic to my students in a way that they would better understand.
November 9, 2014
Very, very, very fun. This plus Gray's Elements should be mandatory go-alongs for homeschool chemistry classes!
August 25, 2015
I read it cover-to-cover the day it came in the mail! (And I read it again, two hours later...and again, the next day...) It's awesome! You learn a lot! Can't put it down! You get the picture!
February 26, 2017
Even better than The Elements. I loved the chapter on polymers and fibers
May 17, 2017
Excellent photos and information throughout! Even interesting for a non-chemistry buff.
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