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Overview
Take a stroll through this one-of-a-kind book that offers readers an illustrated tour of how chemistry developed, from alchemy to the emergence of chemistry as a scientific discipline in the early 17th century, and, finally, modern-day chemistry. Discover this rare collection of more than 180 illustrations spanning 400 years of chemical publications, with each illustration accompanied by an essay discussing its significance in the context of historical scientific beliefs as well as modern chemical science. The author's knowledge and enthusiasm for the books, images, and subject matter are clearly reflected throughout the very readable, informative, and frequently funny essays. High-quality, full-page reproductions from the author's art collection, published from 1599 to the present, are eloquently displayed.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"Overall, as intended...a fascinating book to browse through and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the strange and wonderful history of our collective discipline." (Today's Chemist, Vol. 10, No. 2, February 2001)
"This is a delightful book that has no equal. It is a joy to read and well worth its retail price.... Sentences are short; words are familiar; humor and well-turned phrases abound." (Chemical Heritage, Spring 2001)
"Greenberg offers chemistry teachers, practicing professionals...and lay readers a light-hearted tour of his discipline's history." (SciTech Book News, Vol. 24, No. 4, December 2000)
"This is not an encyclopedic work on the entire history of the science, but a picture book to be read an enjoyed by chemists and nonchemists alike. Nevertheless, it will serve as a valuable secondary source for historians of science..." (American Scientist, Vol. 89, May/June 2001)
"...will captivate younger chemists...there has been nothing like it available since [...] 'A pictorial history of chemistry', 1939..." (Chemistry & Industry, 20th November 2000)
"...a work of art as well as of science.... I highly recommend it to practicing chemists, chemical educators, bibliophiles and book collectors, and anyone interested in chemistry, art and culture, and even to historians.... The author obviously had a lot of fun and enjoyed himself in writing it...in reading it you'll experience the same feelings." (Endeavor, Vol. 26, No. 2, June 2002)
Today's Chemist
Overall, as intended...a fascinating book to browse through and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the strange and wonderful history of our collective discipline.Chemical Heritage
This is a delightful book that has no equal. It is a joy to read and well worth its retail price.... Sentences are short; words are familiar; humor and well-turned phrases abound.SciTech Book News
Greenberg offers chemistry teachers, practicing professionals...and lay readers a light-hearted tour of his discipline's history.American Scientist
This is not an encyclopedic work on the entire history of the science, but a picture book to be read an enjoyed by chemists and nonchemists alike. Nevertheless, it will serve as a valuable secondary source for historians of science...Chemistry & Industry
...will captivate younger chemists...there has been nothing like it available since [...] 'A pictorial history of chemistry', 1939...Today's Chemist
Overall, as intended...a fascinating book to browse through and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the strange and wonderful history of our collective discipline.Chemical Heritage
This is a delightful book that has no equal. It is a joy to read and well worth its retail price.... Sentences are short; words are familiar; humor and well-turned phrases abound.American Scientist
This is not an encyclopedic work on the entire history of the science, but a picture book to be read an enjoyed by chemists and nonchemists alike. Nevertheless, it will serve as a valuable secondary source for historians of science...Today's Chemist
Overall, as intended...a fascinating book to browse through and an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the strange and wonderful history of our collective discipline.Chemical Heritage
This is a delightful book that has no equal. It is a joy to read and well worth its retail price.... Sentences are short; words are familiar; humor and well-turned phrases abound.SciTech Book News
Greenberg offers chemistry teachers, practicing professionals...and lay readers a light-hearted tour of his discipline's history.American Scientist
This is not an encyclopedic work on the entire history of the science, but a picture book to be read an enjoyed by chemists and nonchemists alike. Nevertheless, it will serve as a valuable secondary source for historians of science...Booknews
Greenburg (chemistry, U. of North Carolina-Charlotte) offers chemistry teachers, practicing professionals in science and medicine, and lay readers a light-hearted tour of his discipline's history. Pivoting on illustrations, it is meant to be skimmed and dipped into as well as read systematically. It begins with the frontispiece of the 1738 edition of in which Becher introduced the phlogiston concept, and ends with a quantum corral of 48 iron atoms placed one-by-one using an atomic force microscope. Eight of the illustrations are color plates. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)John Emsley
…delightful book…the reader can be assured of an informative and entertaining read.— Nature