Publisher's Weekly Review
"When chemists shake, stir, and boil their various fluids, they are actually coaxing atoms to form new links, links that result in forms of matter that perhaps have never existed before in the universe." Chemist and Oxford University fellow Atkins (The Periodic Kingdom) provides detailed descriptions of the reactions that occur in everyday life, using language that, while elevated, will be accessible for the armchair scientist. Each chapter focuses on a particular type of reaction, including: precipitation, neutralization, combustion, reduction, oxidation separately and in combination, catalysis, and more. Atkins then discusses reactions of organic chemistry, which resembles "the careful crafting of a cathedral, stone by stone, and decorating it with exactly the right ornaments." He reviews light-initiated reactions, from photochromism to photosynthesis, including a discussion of vision, enlivening the fairly dry subject with frequent historical and scientific examples, as well as humorous comments. For example, he compares a negatively-charged ion sniffing out a positively-charged nucleus to a heat-seeking missile. Concise and enlightening, the book suits science educators, students, and hobbyists. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Who but popular-science master Atkins could write an imaginative tale driven not by human passions but, rather, by chemical dynamics? To be sure, everything Atkins writes is rooted in solid scientific fact. But the narrative he constructs from these facts flashes with the sparks of an exciting human drama. Even in the first section, developing the basic conceptual tools needed to unfold more complicated matters in the second and third sections, Atkins draws readers into a chemical world taut with emotional tension. Water molecules act like fifth-column infiltrators. Oxygen molecules behave like ravenous sharks. An engaging animism persists in the second section (organic chemistry) and third (photochemistry). Atkins realizes, of course, that his personifying metaphors leave out some technical details. However, his unexpected metaphors will draw general readers into the adventure of science in a way that formulas and calculations will not. (In any case, Atkins supplies a running commentary of Pedant's Points for readers not fully satisfied with simplifying analogies.) The perfect antidote to science phobia.--Christensen, Bryce Copyright 2010 Booklist
Choice Review
Atkins (Univ. of Oxford, UK), a prolific author, begins Reactions with "At the heart of chemistry lie reactions," and proceeds to justify this statement. He explains macroscale processes by presenting visualizations of the underlying molecular processes. The introduction presents water as "the most miraculous of fluids." The book is organized into five parts, the first being a "toolkit" describing 12 reaction types ranging from precipitation and neutralization through redox, electrochemistry, and acid-base reactions. Throughout, explanations are in terms of electron dynamics, and the text is profusely illustrated with molecular models, typically space-filling, and the involvement of water is ubiquitous. Part 2 describes assembly and energetics via ten chapters covering reaction types of polymerization, substitution, catalysis, addition/elimination, and chain extension. The third part discusses photochromism, photochemistry, vision, and photosynthesis. Part 4, "Building by Design," discusses enzyme action and the Woodward-Doering synthesis of quinine. In the final part, "Economizing," Atkins discusses the five basic reaction types and argues that all are really examples of acid-base reactions. Written in a descriptive style geared more toward general audiences, the book could be used as a beginning text for AP high school courses and possibly "chemistry for poets" collegiate courses. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, advanced high school students, general readers. R. E. Buntrock formerly, University of Maine
Library Journal Review
Author of almost 60 books, Atkins (fellow, Lincoln Coll., Univ. of Oxford; coauthor, Physical Chemistry) here offers chemistry at its most rudimentary. In fewer than 300 pages, he maps out the very basics of the structure of matter and how chemists operate, combine, and create new compounds. Atkins begins the dialog with water-a substance with which everyone is familiar in all of its states. Then, he progresses at a deliberate pace to more complex compounds but always keeps to recognizable experiences. With a straightforward approach, he avoids technical terminology and addresses readers directly, creating the illusion that he and his readers are having a private conversation. The text is heavily supported by illustrations. VERDICT Readers with little or no knowledge of chemistry will benefit the most from this work, but those with some science familiarity will appreciate its lessons.-Margaret F. Dominy, Drexel Univ. Lib., Philadelphia (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
