Book Description

Written for the short coursewhere content must be thorough, but to-the-point, FUNDAMENTALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Fifth Edition provides an effective, clear, and readable introduction to the beauty and logic of organic chemistry. McMurry presents only those subjects needed for a brief course while maintaining the important pedagogical tools commonly found in larger books. With clear explanations, thought-provoking examples, and an innovative vertical format for explaining reaction mechanisms, FUNDAMENTALS takes a modern approach: primary organization is by functional group, beginning with the simple (alkanes) and progressing to the more complex. Within the primary organization, there is also an emphasis on explaining the fundamental mechanistic similarities of reactions. Through this approach, memorization is minimized and understanding is maximized.This new edition represents a major revision. The text has been revised at the sentence level to further improve clarity and readability; many new examples and topics of biological relevance have been added; and many new features have been introduced. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great helper for a tough subject
This book has helped me tremendously with my understanding of organic chemistry and has helped me get an A in the course ... Read more

Book Description

The solution manual provides step-by-step solutions guiding the student through the reasoning behind each problem in the text.There is also a self-test at the end ofeach chapter, designed to assess the student’s mastery of the material. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

One of the better texts I had while in college
An all-around good book for an intro to organic chemistry. Good example problems, plenty of end-of-chapter questions and concise explanations of critical concepts. Lays an excellent foundation of molecular theory as it pertains to Organic Chemistry in the first few chapters. End of chapter review (very thorough) gives tables of important reactions, their respective reagents/catalysts, and in some cases real-world applications (very helpful). Of course, I had excellent teachers for these courses, so I am a bit biased in favor of this book. But, organic chemistry is inherently not an extremely difficult subject to understand; mostly memorization. I found the graphics somewhat boring, though, and felt they could have aided in understanding concepts, as might be the case with students who stuggle with this subject; maybe the newer editions are better; I haven't seen them.

Much better than any other used
I have used this book in replacement of my organic chemistry class book. It's much more clear and easy to learn. However, it would be nice if the book and answer book was not so expensive but it's worth to me.

Very informative, easy to understand
I read this book for my first organic chemistry course.I found it very helpful and i still refere to it at times.I specially find the chapeter about SN1 and SN2 reactions very useful because i tried couple of the other books before reading this one.

Well done!!
Kudos to Professor Carey on a job well done! I have used the text for a semester and must say that it is a clear, well-written book. Difficult concepts are simplified; this text is definitely a must-read!

An all-comprehensive text on basic organic chemistry
I personally bought the book at a used book store for a couple bucks and must admit this is one of the best textbooks I have ever had. I have been teaching organic chemistry to myself by use of this book, and it's clear explanations, excellent figures and tables, and pleasing appearance combine to create this textbook a 'must' for students in organic chemistry. Certainly even a new book would be worth the typically high cost of textbooks ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Straightforward and Clear
I used this text for my introductory Organic chem class, and found it both easy to read and helpful. It seems well-organized and has plenty of clear examples and good chapter-end summaries. However, I would highly recommend purchasing the study guide and solutions manual as well. Many of the problems are challenging, and having this resource available is very helpful. However, at the time of this writing, the only version of this study guide available on Amazon is that for the 3rd edition, which is little good for use with the 4th edition textbook, so be sure find the proper study guide for the textbook you purchase.

An adequate organic text...but that's all
This is not a very good organic text. My department selected this text, and I am teaching out of it now, but I don't like it very much. It follows the standard functional-group based organization that the majority of organic texts on the market currently use, which I have certain problems with (see the text by Whitesell & Fox for a contemporary alternative organizational format). I don't think that this text does a sufficient job in the beginning of equipping the student with the fundamental chemical principles that are needed later in the course, especially with the sparse treatment of bonding and MO theory given in the first chapter. The same goes for the treatment of basic principles of thermodynamics, kinetics, and acid-base theory. These are such important principles; I wish the text did a more thorough job in discussing them. The biggest gripe that I have about the text is that it is a slave to the new IUPAC system of organic nomenclature. For example, while, granted it is technically correct, according to the IUPAC system, to use 1,1-dimethylethyl to refer to a tert-butyl group, practically speaking, this is not the case. Just call it a tert-butyl group for Heaven's sake!! 99.999% of organic chemists are going to know what you are talking about. The homework problems also leave a lot to be desired. If you are considering adopting this text, I'd recommend taking a good look at one of the other texts on the market (e.g. Whitesell & Fox, Jones, or Bruice) before adopting this one. You might come to regret your decision.

It's Alright
Granted I am taking this course for the second time (yes I fell behind and hopelessly played "catch-up"). However, the previous book I used by Bruice was far more helpful. It contained more examples, explanations were more simply put, and there were more excercises throughout the chapters to reinforce concepts. Although there were several mistakes (apparently due to bad editing), I felt overall, the text by Bruice was superior.

A very ilustrative, explanatory book
If you want a book to start learning university Organic Chemistry...this is the one. The text is well writen, very clear and is always acompanied with ilustrations wich use color to enhance your understanding. These factors make it a easy-to-grasp book (but still concise) that doesn't demand any high level chemistry. It covers some necessary bonding concepts, nomenclature, reaction mechanisms and examples of organic chemistry applications. It was very helpful for me...and I still refer to it for the concepts of reaction mechanisms and structures in organic chemistry issues.

A Well-Written Text
A very well-written text, Vollhardt covers basic functional groups in organic chemistry and even difunctional compounds, carbohydrates, polycyclic benzenoid and heterocycles. With very plain language and explicit illustrations, each chapter provides a summary of new reactions and plenty of exercises. The intensity of this book is along the line with McMurry's Organic Chemistry. This book is suitable for especially students studying biological sciences who need an overview in organic chemistry. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

CONCISE; YET, WELL-DETAILED
Compiled by an experienced mind, this "Biochemistry" by Lubert Stryer may seem a little pricey, but it is worth investing on. Its everyday language is comprehensive, generously illustrated, and presents details using a concise format. The book was designed for intermediate learners; although that its aura appeals to both beginners and advanced students. The sequential organisation of each section makes self-teaching an easy task. There are also revised chapters with overviews of Developmental Physiology and Genetics. It is a very fine text.

Easy to read, but not so good to study from
This book is considered a classic in its field, and, indeed, had few serious competitors up until about eight years ago. But, with new undergraduate texts that appeared since then, the weaknesses of Stryer's text became more apparent.

1. The text is not structured well enough: its 37 chapters are divided into a number of titled topics, but it is apparent that students would find it easier to manage if each chapter were divided into 4-8 major topics,just the way it has been done in 'Student companion for Stryer's Biochemistry' by Gumport et al.

2. It seems that the book owes part of its popularity to the fact that the most difficult topics have either been left out or are covered very briefly and with serious lack of rigor. The most notorious example is incredibly poor coverage of biochemical energetics. Since most readers are life science majors or medical students with little background in thermodynamics and electrochemistry, this ought be treated in a more detailed and more serious manner. Many students find the treatment of energetic aspects of oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis so unclear tham majority of them find it necessargy to consult some other text to figure things out. The same goes for enzyme kinetics - it is just inexcusable for a text of this size to completely ignore discussion of bisubstrate kinetics and other common complex kinetic systems.

As a conclusion, Stryer's Biochemistry 4th ed. is still readable and up-to date text. However, nowadays there are several other texts of about the same size and aiming at the same audience, but with much less things to complain about. As a TA in an undergraduate biochemistry course, I found texts by Mathews and van Holde (1996), Garrett and Grisham (1995) and Lehninger, Nelson and Cox (1993) to be more adequate for the needs of most students. My students especially praise Matthews and van Holde as a book which enables them to easily grasp even the most difficult concepts.

Learn elsewhere
A disorganized muddle of clinical correlations, chemical mechanisms, and pathways, the text attempts to destroy an otherwise beautiful topic. It is difficult to extract the main pts and organize the information into a coherent fashion. But fortunately there are other texts, and a map showing how all the pathways converge and a table w/enzymes organized by mechanism w/cofactor, rxn info will be golden. With books like Lippincott's Reviews and Voet&Voet, youll be biochemistry's biggest fan in no time.

Jack of a few trades, master of none
As with any intro text, this book tries to reach the largest audience possible. The problem is that it has deficiencies in many areas. The initial sections on DNA are short, completely avoiding any detailed mechanisms about DNA replication or transcription, putting those with a background that is stronger in chemistry at a disadvantage. When it comes to proteins, the book seems to have no trouble giving detailed mechanisms but the mechanisms are often obscure and poorly labeled (notably in serine proteases and metal-ion catalysis) making the information more difficult for those stronger in regular biology. Perhaps the worst part is that this book, which was chosen for my professor based on its integrated web courseware, has a website that is often unresponsive and seems to only work on old versions of Netscape. Nonetheless, I still keep a copy on my bookshelf for reference since the sections on proteins (notwithstanding the diagrams) are actually pretty good. All in all, an okay text and decent reference but certainly not for someone looking to pursue a career in biochemistry, molecular biology, or medicine. If you have a choice, the new Lehninger 4th edition is way better.

One step forward, one step back from previous edition
OK, it seems that the new authors of the 5th edition actually took to heart soem of the amazon.com critiques of the 4th edition. The chapters are more structured, and the worst chapters of the previous editions have been completely overhauled. There is a modest increase in the amount of quantitative materrial, although its quality still cannot rival some other biochem textbooks targeting the same audience (e.g. the wonderful Mathews, van Holde and Ahern text).

The 5th edition also succumbed to a malaise common to most textbooks when they are taken over by a different set of authors: an absolute overkill of "new pedagogical features". Icons, boxes, keywords, conceptual insights, structural insights etc. belong well to a study guide, but here they just interrupt the flow of the exposition unnecesarily. The simplicity of layout and the illustrations was one of the strengths of previous editions, and it seems to be lost here.

Also, without questioning the importance of the structural data that accumulated over the past decade, I am very doubtfull of the pedagogical value of their extensive use to explain basic biochemical concepts: way too often they just add additional complexity that moots the point the authors are trying to convey. Just look at the figure 10.21 - without the accompanying animation, it is about the poorest (least illustrative) depiction of the T to R transition in hemoglobin I have ever seen.

Overall, it is an updated text that will please Stryer fans. Those using other textbooks (Mathews, Lehninger) will have no reason whatsoever to switch to this one. ... Read more

Book Description

The Seventh Edition of General Chemistry retains all of the qualities that have made it a trusted and authoritative first-year text for two decades. Its hallmark ability to teach quantitative problem solving is complemented by new features focus on key themes of conceptual understanding and visualization. A new suite of robust technology tools accompanies the text to enhance teaching and learning.

• The text features a substantially revised art program that allows enhanced visualization of core concepts and helps students connect the macroscopic to the molecular level. Student technology tools carry this even further.
• "A Chemist Looks At" boxes highlight chemistry's real-world applications to medicine, health, frontiers of science, and the environment. Students can see how the material in the text relates to their future careers, their world, and their everyday lives.
• End-of-chapter "Media Activities" help students use technology resources to explore concepts and solve problems.

Reviews (11)

Good, general, nice diagrams
We use this text for our freshman chemistry course at Trent University, and have for a number of years (previous editions). It is equal or superior to virtually all other texts that I am aware of for a general course that includes both chemistry majors and others (biology, physics, etc.). Concepts are explained well, diagrams are easy to understand, and there is a profusion of examples in the text. It also includes a biochemistry chapter, which many other texts do not have. With the addition of bichem to many 1st year curricula, this is important.

If teaching a more rigorous/physical course directed solely to chem majors, this book may not be the best choice (perhaps Oxtoby and Nachtrieb would be a better choice).

This book is generally superior in quantity and quality of questions at the back of the chapter. All questions are paired with the odd numbered question having the answer in the back of the book. Students really like this feature.

As an instructor, there are a number of extras that are very helpful, including an alternate example manual (with examples to use in class that are complimentary to the text), a full set of figures on a CD-ROM which are easily transferred to Powerpoint for use in lectures, and a complete solutions manual.

There are a few small problems. The order in the text is not the order I teach in, but the chapters are pretty good at delineating the material so you can teach out of order. For example, Chapter 6 is thermochemistry, and Chapter 18 is the rest of thermodynamics - why 12 chapters between them? (To be fair, this system is used in a number of freshman texts.) Web resources for the student are lacking in that they cost extra (at least, in Canada), something many other publishers offer for free.

All in all, this is a very good text for a general course in freshman chemistry. It is well indexed, and should also be of use to anyone that needs a chemistry reference book.

Gen Chem text on the easy side
This is a text that is relatively low level among those for science majors. It is generally clearly written. If you find questions on your test consistantly harder than the ones in this text, you might have to find used copies of other "harder" textbooks (Zumdahl, Brown/LeMay/Bursten, or Oxtoby) and work some of the more challenging end-of-chapter problems. On the other hand, if you can understand the concepts and follow the explanations in the text, you will have to buy a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry or Chemistry for Dummies.

this book is crap
this book is is crap. I am a Chemistry major and I understand the equations and relations very well, but when I first used this book in my general chemistry classes, it was a waste of my time. The book consists mainly of short examples and the book does not help to understand the relation of the equations. Also, the book as many errors. Because there are errors, you assume that every answer is possibly wrong and that you are doing the work wrong. The errors also do not help when you do have the correct answer. The authors will change the answers and will not inform you as to how they go the answer. If you are taking a Chemistry class and this book is the requirement, I suggest you talk to your professor or use another book for reference, this book is a tragedy.

dissapointed
This book was damaged because it was shipped in an unprotected manner. It also took over a week to arrive.

This Book Is Not For The Beginner
I don't recommend this book for those who have no background in Chemistry at all. The difinetion aren't clear (sometimes they're very confusing); some of the examples are too short and don't explain well. It's difficult to follow for the biginner. The CD that comes with is almost useless. The test as well as the example questions are almost the same (only the # that are different) There're also some answer mistakes. However, if you just want to review what you've already know, this is not a bad book to have! ... Read more

Book Description

Das Lehrbuch stellt die Biochemie aus streng chemischer Sicht vor, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf den Strukturen von Biomolekulen, chemischen Mechanismen und evolutionaren Beziehungen liegt. Es vermittelt ein Gefuhl der geistigen Geschichte der Biochemie, ein Verstandnis der Werkzeuge und Ansatze zur Losung biochemischer Ratsel und eine Spur jener Aufregung, die mit neuen Entdeckungen einhergeht. Behandelt werden aktuelle Themen, insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit Gesundheit und Krankheiten des Menschen sowie wichtige Zahlen und Tabellen zu Struktur, Funktion und Stoffwechsel. Die einzelnen Themenbereiche werden weniger detailliert aufbereitet als in anderen Lehrbuchern, und zwar mit dem Ziel, dem Lernenden so einen raschen Uberblick uber Kerninhalte zu vermitteln. Daruber hinaus finden sich zahlreiche sehr interessante Spezialthemen. Im dazugehorigen Arbeitsbuch werden au?erdem eine Reihe neuer Problemstellungen mit detaillierten Losungsvorschlagen diskutiert. (02/99) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Average
This book is average at best. It does not cover the fundamental aspects of many of the important parts of biochemistry. What is does give you is an excellent overview of hemoglobin and myoglobin. I would, however, recommend Stryer's book, especially for those who have lousy undergraduate professors.

Not for someone new on biochemistry
I'm taking biochemistry for the first time and the book is almost useless. It has many errors and the explanations are not clear. To study for my class I have to look for other books. I don't recomend this book to anyone who really wants to learn biochemistry, specially if they're taking the class with a bad professor. I'm not saying this because I don't like the class; I like chemistry and I thought biochemistry would be very exciting. But, the book isn't a good reference, neither the CD-ROM it includes. Thank God I bought it used.

Appropriate for the 1st Biochemistry Course of a Sequence
All 3 major biochemistry texts were being used at the univesity where I attended: Lehninger was used in a one-semester survey course for biological science students whose emphasis was not biochemistry and/or molecular biology; Voet was the chosen text for the first of a 2-semester sequence in biochemistry; and Stryer was selected for the second half of the sequence. As an undergradate student, I was grateful that the authors (joined by Pratt) produced a fine version instead of the original Voet & Voet main text. This revised, modified version is more succinct, clear, with excellent graphics and photographs. The level of content in this version of Voet is no less intense and thorough than the other 2 major texts, with a special attention on chemistry as well. One star is taken off due to the high price!

IMHO, better than Stryer for undergraduates!
Although not as comprehensive as their larger text, this book is ideal for a beginning course in biochemistry. Most undergraduates are overwhelmed by the encylcopedic nature of Voet & Voet's main text, so the author team are to be thanked for joining with Pratt to produce this fine text. The book is on the level of the other main biochemistry textbooks (Stryer & Lehninger), but has the wonderful images and diagrams for which V&V (via artist Irving Geis) are famous! The interactive CD is very informative and useful as well. I have switched my classes to this text, as have about half of the liberal arts colleges in the midwest area (noted at the last MACTLAC conference, where the text, although new, was aready tied with Stryer as the textbook of choice).

a so-so biochemistry text
The price of this text, when compared with the large version of Voet & Voet, is not reasonable. The material presented is condensed but not comprehensive. The authors tried to make their textbook shorter and maintain Voets'philosophy in writing a text (chemistry emphasis). I personally think that this text cannot be appropriately used in the upperclass or graduate course. On the other hand, the beginner of biochemistry may find this text easier, lighter, more colorful and more costly than its encyclopedic version. ... Read more

Book Description

Focus on Chemistry develops a systematic approach to problem solving that will guide students through the process of solving chemical problems. Problem solving skills are emphasized throughout each chapter, developed through many in-chapter examples, reviewed in unique chapter summaries, and practiced and synthesized in end-of-chapter exercises.This book focuses on the development of basic chemical principles including chemical bonding, atomic structure, and gas laws.For anyone who wants a clear, concise guide to solving problems in Chemistry. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Do The Problems!
Excellent job of explaining basics of chemistry. The book is the written equivalent of getting a lot of hands-on lab time. By understanding the many examples, and attempting the numerous problem sets, you should get a very good understanding of crucial topics like basic stoichoimetry.

None of the topics are especially hard, as presented here. Some of you may recall the various Schaum's Outline series of books, which are basically just big bundles of questions, wrapped in a skimpy explanatory framework. This book is a significant improvement over that approach. ... Read more

Book Description

Distinguished by its superior allied health focus and integration of technology, Seager and Slabaugh's INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY FOR TODAY, Fifth Edition continues to lead the market on both fronts through numerous allied health-related applications, examples, boxes, and a new Companion Web Site, GOB ChemistryNow. In addition to the many resources found in GOB ChemistryNow, this powerful new Web site contains questions modeled after the "Nursing School and Allied Health Entrance Exams," and NCLEX-LPN "Certification Exams". The authors strive to dispel users' inherent fear of chemistry and to instill an appreciation for the role chemistry plays in our daily lives through a rich pedagogical structure and an accessible writing style that provides lucid explanations. In addition, Seager and Slabaugh's CHEMISTRY FOR TODAY, Fifth Edition, provides greater support in both problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. By demonstrating how this information will be important to a reader's future career and providing important career information online, the authors not only help readers to set goals but also to focus on achieving them. ... Read more

Book Description

For eighty-two years, this authoritative reference has been the bedrock volume for professionals worldwide involved with chemicals – from scientific and technical staff, to sales and marketing personnel, to managers and administrators. This resource remains unrivaled in totality, easy accessibility, and conciseness of data for common chemical substances and phenomena.
In its fourteenth edition, Hawley’s Condensed Chemical Dictionary once again establishes itself as the world’s principal lexicon of industrial chemicals, nomenclature, processes, reactions, products, and related terminology. Scrutinized and extensively revised by internationally renowned chemist and reference author, Richard J. Lewis Sr., this newest edition features updated information on production, usage, and regulatory trends. In addition, the dictionary contains:

- Up-to-date chemical entries, definitions, and cross references
- Web links to new, as well as established, manufacturers and associations
- To-the-point information on natural products, manufacturing processes, and equipment

This latest edition of the Condensed Chemical Dictionary has retained all the essential characteristics that have made it a bestseller by providing identification of chemical substances by name, physical properties, source of occurrence, CAS number, chemical formula, potential hazards, derivations, synonyms, and applications. It continues to be an essential tool for chemists and chemical engineers, environmental professionals, industrial hygienists, toxicologists, police and firefighters, EMTs, emergency clean-up technicians, and managers of toxicological and chemical information systems. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING REFERENCE TOOL
Also available in CD-ROM, this all-in-one resource is an authoritative reference which many scientists and learners can count on. Since its first appearance some eighty years ago, this dictionary has established itself as the ultimate tool of choice for researchers.
Its extensive coverage of chemicals and pharmaceuticals is hard to rival. Users of this dictionary appreciate its concise definition of both terms and phenomena. Anybody who seeks a solid all-encompassing chemical lexicon will get the ultimate satisfaction here. Its 1300 pages are filled with the most up-to-date definitions.
The only sour point, though, is that its price is on the high side. Still, it is not a bad investment.

Excellant book for practical chemists, researches, students.
This book provides condensed and prompt information not only on chemistry related subjects, but biology, biochemistry, and many more. It has very good cross referances. I think anybody who decided to buy Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary would not regret it.

WANT TO REVIEW LATEST EDITION.
I HAVE THE NINTH EDITION OF THE CONDENSED CHEMICAL DICTIONARY REVISED BY GESSNER G. HAWLEY AND I WANT THE LATEST EDITION OF THIS BOOK. PLEASE SEND ME THE BEST RATES YOU CAN OFFER AND THE MODE OF DESPATCH. COMPLETE DETAILS SO AS TO ENABLE US TO PRCURE THIS BOOK. ALONG WITH IT PLEASE SEND ME THE COMPLETE DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS TOO.

AWAITING FOR YOUR PROMPT AND FAVOURABLE RESPONSE.

VIRAT LALANI. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A very solid text!
I'm a computer guy working at a biotech and wanted to know more about what the guys in the coats are doing. This book is a very good introduction for those with a science bent.

I especially enjoyed reading about the Bohr model of the atom (which is what I learned in school) only to have it totally dissed after 3/4ths of a page as inadequate!

I don't know how well it works as a class room text (this is night-time reading for me) but for a enjoyable well written text on Biochemistry this is an excellent choice.

biotecnologia
please up go information of biotecnologi ... Read more

Book Description

This bestseller helps readers master basic skills with its clear and easy-to-follow presentation of key concepts. It focuses on the important ideas of organic chemistry and backs them up with illustrations and challenging problems. The authors' acclaimed writing style makes this thorny subject easy to grasp and comprehend. The new edition brings the book to the forefront of the latest research developments.
The book includes the ORGANIC VIEW CD, a browser-based study tool with animated 3D graphics, Drill/Review sections, and Practice Tests
"The Chemistry of..." boxes throughout highlight biological and other real-world chemistry
This edition is completely up-to-date with the latest developments in the field ... Read more

Book Description

In this laboratory textbook for students of organic chemistry, experiments are designed to utilize standard-scale ("macroscale") glassware and equipment but with smaller amounts of chemicals and reagents. The textbook features a large number of traditional organic reactions and syntheses, as well as the isolation of natural products and experiments with a biological or health science focus. The organization of the text is based on essays and topics of current interest. There are six introductory technique-based experiments and eleven project-based experiments. In addition, there is a section of green chemistry experiments. The book contains a comprehensive treatment of laboratory techniques, including small-scale and some microscale methods. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

WWU grad
Dr. Pavia's class was so much fun. It was great to have a book written for our facility, by our instructors. I recommend this book to other schools because the techniques are clearly explained and the experiments are interesting.

Don't sell this book back!
An outstanding lab text for sophomore level 1-yr organic courses. Any chemistry/physical science major should not sell this book back at the end of the semester! Half of the book is dedicated to experiments which while informative is not the real gem here. The other half of the book covers techniques in organic and microscale chemistry. If you ever need to build a chromatographic column or do vacuum filtration again, you will be glad that you kept this book in your library.

The techniques section alone justifies buying this book. Chemistry majors, microbiologists, environmental scientists and engineers will all find this text valuable in their future careers. ... Read more

Book Description

This popular book, now in its 10th edition, is a useful and interesting read for the layperson, as it is colorful, conversational in tone, and easily understandable. Knowledge of chemistry leads to better understanding about the hazards and benefits of this world, enabling better personal decision-making.This comprehensive yet simply written book covers the gamut of chemistry topics, including: drugs, biocides, food additives, fertilizers, fuels, detergents, cosmetics, plastics, toxic wastes, polluted air and water, and dwindling petroleum reserves. By introducing current and timely topics, this book enables the reader to relate chemistry to themselves.For anyone interested in learning about chemistry and its effect upon our everyday lives. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great for understanding all that is "Chemistry"
Chemistry can be interesting and it can be difficult to understand. This book addresses both of these areas quite well. This is a book that you study from, as well as read. For anyone who is preparing to take a Chemistry class, this book is well worth investigating, because this book, in its 20 Chapters, covers every principle, formula, idea, and topic that will be covered in class. My CHEM 100 course used this as our text, and we covered only half of the book (at a Community College in Maryland). I learned a lot from the course and from this book. I heartedly recommend it! For grandmom to read on your drive to DisneyWorld???? Oh, maybe not. Especially if she's driving.

Best of the liberal arts texts
There are two people that would be interested in this book - those that are enrolled in a liberal arts chemistry course, and those that are just interested in learning about chemistry. This book suits either type of person admirably.

While setting up a liberal arts course in chemistry (i.e., Chemistry for Non-science Majors), we previewed a number of possible texts. This one, in my mind, stood above all the others that I looked at. There are a number of reasons why:

1. The scope - this book covers a vast number of topics, from basic structure of the atom to environmental chemistry to toxins and drugs to combustion and energy. We are designing a survey course, and this spread is ideal. Other texts tended to focus too much, especially on environmental issues (e.g., the ACS's Chemistry in Context).

2. Descriptive, non-mathmatical. Since this course has no prerequisites, not even grade 10 math, we needed a book that minimised mathematics. Other books, such as Kelter/Carr/Scott's Chemistry: World of Choices, was too mathematical for this type of course.

3. The pictures - this book simply looks good.

Thus, if you're looking for a text for a liberal arts chemistry course, or if you just want to know more about chemistry and are not mathematically inclined, I would recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

This title has not appeared in Preview, but was published in July 2002. Biochemistry 3rd edition DONALD VOET, University of Pennsylvania, USA and JUDITH G. VOET, Swarthmore College, USA Biochemistry is a modern classic that has been thoroughly revised. Don and Judy Voet explain biochemical concepts while offering a unified presentation of life and its variation through evolution. Incorporates both classical and current research to illustrate the historical source of much of our biochemical knowledge.
* This edition has been updated to reflect the enormous advances in molecular and protein structure
* Integrated Biochemical Interactions CD ... Read more

Reviews (29)

A very deatail oriented text
My biochem class "officially" uses the Lehninger textbook, but my professor also uses the voet&voet as a reference. I'll say the Lehninger book is good to read as intro, but if you really want to learn the details you've to use this book instead. I think not a single biochemistry book out there is good enough for every aspects, but i'll highly recommend using the voet text along with another one so they can fill each other's holes.

The Best Biochemistry text on the market
This book covers much of the same material as Stryer with about twice the detail and vastly better illustrations. V&V's massive advantage is a detailed methods chapter that lets you understand how the advances in biology have been made, and why science is so slow and frustrating. If you're serious about understanding biological chemistry (as distinct from understanding how the cell works, in which case you'll want a book on molecular cell biology), look no further than this. The third edition will be coming out in 2002, at about the same time as the sixth edition of Stryer. Expect V&V to be more up-to-date, better illustrated and less verbose than its competition (although obviously I haven't seen either yet). If you're a medical student, try Devlin's Biochemistry with clinical correlations. If you want an integrated cell biology/biochemistry text, try Garrett and Grisham, including part 5.

Voet and Voet Biochemistry
This book is complete garbage, especially considering the price. Explanations of relatively simple ideas are often made unnecessarily complicated. A good deal of the writing is unnecessarily flowery, and sentence structure is quite often more complex than is necessary or desireable for a book of this sort. I wasted an enormous amount of time rereading sections that turned out to be extremely confusing ways of explaining relatively uncomplicated concepts. In my view, potentially confusing scientific concepts should be explained in the simplest possible way. There's enough substance in the actual material that decorative language is definitely not necessary. For the price, I would have expected better editing as well, quite a few noticeable typos (3rd edition Vol. 1). I haven't read any biochem textbooks besides this one, but I'd recommend avoiding this one at all costs.

The very best biochemistry textbook out there
I've used the 1st edition of this textbook during my undergraduate days as a B.A. in biology (but concentrating in molecular biology and biochemistry), and then I used the 2nd edition during medical school and my fellowship in biophysical chemistry. If you are in the medical sciences, biochemistry, biophysics, physical chemistry, and even organic chemistry, this is the "must-have" book for you. It contains a more detailed explanation of the topic than typical undergraduate textbooks, but it still has excellent coherence and clarity to each and every topic despite the amount of information. I feel this book satisfies even the most "physical sciences" minded of us. I'm still waiting for the 3rd edition!

THE BEST
If you're looking for a biochemistry textbook, this is it.

I have used everything from Stryer to Matthews and Van Holde, and this book tops them all.

Great illustrations, extensive topics covered, and well-written text. A+++ ... Read more

Book Description

This clearly written, well-illustrated, versatile book provides thorough coverage of chemistry with a balance of problem solving skills, real-world applications and an emphasis on critical thinking and the process of science. A supporting theme throughout the book continually emphasizes that chemistry is everywhere. Chemistry is Everywhere. Matter and Energy. Fundamental Measurements. Elements, Atoms, and the Periodic Table. Atomic Structure. Names, Formulas, and Uses of Inorganic Compounds. Periodic Properties of Elements. Chemical Bonds. Gases. Liquids and Solids. Solutions. Acids and Bases. Oxidation and Reduction. Fundamentals of Nuclear Chemistry. Organic Chemistry. Biochemistry.For professionals in the health sciences needing a "refresher" in chemistry. ... Read more

Book Description

This newly revised and updated fifth edition of Devlin’s Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations presents the biochemistry of mammalian cells, relates events at the cellular level to physiological processes in the whole animal, and cites examples of human diseases derived from aberrant biochemical processes.
This edition significantly expands the clinical correlation that highlight the significance of biochemistry to specific clinical problems. Full-color illustrations provide clear explanations for the concepts discussed, and end-of-chapter questions and answers act as challenging study material. Reorganized into five practical sections, Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations covers these topics and much more:

• Structure of macromolecules–DNA, RNA, and protein structure
  
• Information transmission–replication, transcription, protein synthesis, and control of gene expression
  
• Functions of proteins–protein families, enzymes, membrane structure, and transport mechanisms
  
• Metabolic pathways and their control–carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism
  
• Physiological processes–hormone and signal transduction, biochemistry of nervous tissue, muscle vision, coagulation and digestion, and principles of nutrition

Reviews (11)

DO not confuse the book with the software
The book is one of THE basics choice in Biochemistry for medical school. Good basic biochemistry with interesthing associated clinical cases. But please do not confuse with the software with has the figures of the book.

Take a chance to be fascinated by biochemistry
I am 4° semester medical student and ever since I was introduced to this book (about a year ago by my biochemistry class teacher), it has proved to be a very useful biochemistry information resource. I have other biochemistry texts because I like to study from different points of view, but this text is a little bit different from the basic biochemistry textbook in that the information presented here is most relevant to the clinical setting. After reading any chapter it will be clear to you that you made a good investment. The most important thing is that the book is written in a very understandable reading wiht many examples and illustrations. The chapter on metabolic interrelationships will proof of great value to understanding biochemistry as a fundamental discipline in medicine; in a sense it opened my eyes (and yours too) to what at first seems a boring subject.

If you are thinking that because the book is presented in a clinical way you'll loose basic information, don't be. I took the chance and believe me I am not dissapointed at all, otherwise I wouldn't be recommending it to you. Good luck.

Too detailed and wordy for medical school
I just finished first semester medical school, and we used this book. The chapters read like a bad and verbose novel. With the time constraints in medical school, you really need a book that gets to the point. That's why the Illustrated Review Series are much better for medical school students. I will admit that this is a great book for graduate biochem if you're interested in research. Stay away if your in medical school and rely upon the notes and a supplemental book like Lipcotts. You'll get more confused reading this text b/c it's way too detailed.

ANALYTICAL AND INTERPRETATIVE
This is a very comprehensive biochemistry textbook: well-written and well-organized. It maintained both analytical and interpretative approach in most of its chapters. Its clinical applications were evident in the way it handled nucleic acids, nucleotides, bioenergetics, immunochemistry, enzymology, and gene replications. Each metabolic pathway it discussed is well-detailed, and is supported with illustrative charts.
The only thing this book demands from its reader is good Organic Chemistry foundation. It is a very good text, although that its retail price is clearly on the high side.

vs. Stryer
Fair clinical book. The Devlin just does not read as well as the Stryer. If Stryer is poetry, Devlin is a newspaper, informative yet not very moving. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Good book for biochemistry
This book is complete and thorough in explaing every energy pathway (Kreb's cycle, electron transport system, glycolysis, etc.) The diagrams are helpful and explain the material with visual detail especially in this type of book. The only thing, the book is somewhat hard to understand for reading it the first time. I know biochemistry is a hard subject, but I thought it could be explained in a little easier fashion. However, other than that, the book is quite organized and a must buy for every chiropractic student taking biochemistry. I also highly recommend:
National Board of Chiropractic Part I Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers
Both these books I found very helpful for studying for the National boards. The text is a must for studying for the biochemistry part of the chiro boards.

Biochemistry for medical studies
An excellent book in biochemistry for a beginner in this subject. I especially like the the way the chapters are administrated. The book is best read from beginning to the end, because this will give you the whole picture in a educative fashion. It covers all the essential subjects of cellbiology needed for the medical student, as for instance metabolism and DNA. It also has advantages over other biochemistry books with its nicer apperance. With the pictures, medical notices and cellbiology material it covers all thats necessary. Good stuff and pleasant reading.

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry is simply the best one.
The Lehninger Princicples of Biochemistry is the best book in biochemistry that has been written. I have use it in my biochemistry course in my first year in school medicine and thanks to this book I pass my class with one of the best notes in the group. Any other book exposes the biochemistry principles with clarity and coherence like the Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. I can't wait for the 4th edition.

Excellent! Can't wait for the Next Edition!
If you are a undergraduate or a graduate student who needs to learn some biochemistry from the ground up (without an instructor), this is the text for you. Lehninger really outdoes himself by creating a Biochemistry textbook that's not only colorful and pretty to look at but also wonderfully written. Of all of the science textbooks I've had to read to date, this was the best! Lehninger really does write the text so that it's like reading a novel, which allows for maximum absorption of the material he covers. Occasionally, I hit spots in my reading which were harder to understand, but that was because my own ignorance and not his. He begins the text with a review of the basics of general chemistry and organic chemistry which come into play with the biochemistry subject matter. Then he continues on, developing the student's foundations with describing protein structure and protein function, working his way up with enzymatic properties and activities. Carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids come next. The last section of the book is devoted to biochemical mechanisms, which is alot, but it is covered adequately for a beginner's textbook. The only major drawback: many of the answers to the chapter questions are wrong, hopefully, this will be addressed in the 4th Ed. If your school doesn't use Lehninger, protest, write treatises, do anything to convince your Biochemistry professor to use this text to teach you biochemisty! It's expensive, but once you have this textbook, don't ever sell it because if you're going into chemistry or biochemistry, it will be a priceless resource for your future studies!

Two thumbs way up
This book is one of the best biochemistry available. It presents an extensive amount of valuable concepts and information a highly readable manner. I used this text as an undergraduate and even as a gradduate student I find it impossible to part with it. The understanding biochemistry CD that is included with the book is also an excellent tool for revision. I found that the retention of information and ease of understanding is higher when the book is used in conjunction with the CD. It comes highly recommended for any serious students of biochemistry and as an invaluable reference. ... Read more

Book Description

Written for the laboratory that accompanies the sophomore/junior level courses in Organic Chemistry, Zubrick is a paperback student guide to the basic techniques of the Organic Chemistry lab. The book describes the instruments and techniques used in an Organic Chemistry lab. Diagrams show students how to make measurements, set up labs and perform meaningful experiments. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A put-you-at-ease manual for a keep-you-on-edge subject
Professor Zubrick cuts to the heart of the intimidating subject of Organic Chemistry. His dry, even warped sense of humor is a welcome break from the usual style found in chemistry texts. This book is worth reading even if you're not taking Organic Chem! As some of the other reviewers say, it is not a daily reference for the practicing organic chemist, but for anyone taking O Chem I or II, it is an absolute must-have! The numerous diagrams help make sense of which part is which, and how they go together. The detail Prof. Zubrick provides is sufficient without being excessive, which makes reading this book actually fun for anyone. His explanations will make you snicker, if not laugh out loud! If you're the only student in the class with this book, keep a close eye on it, it may grow legs. I promise (if you have a sense of humor), you'll enjoy this book more than most others, on this topic or otherwise!

"I love it, I love it, I love it!"
I have had the opportunity to use this great manual for two semesters; it continues to be a permanent fixture to my hip. O. Chem can be and is for some a very difficult subject but Professor Zubrick has the rare talent of making the lab understandable and less of a fearful experience. Through his knowledgeable insight as well as his calm but "safety-first" attitude I have truly become an Organic Chemistry fan ("geek"). Thank you for all the laughs and wonderful guidance your manual has provided me throughout the two semesters. I recommend this manual to any O. Chem students, enthusiasts, as well as professors. Hope Professor Zubricks' next manual/book is as enjoyable to read...can't wait!

Chemistry is FUN?
This made learning ochem fun...Which is something I can't say about any other textbook I have ever read. It was funny and made the subject matter easy to remember.

Organic Lab Primer For Beginning Students
This volume provides a plethora of information on equipment and techniques for introductory organic chemistry laboratory. It is best suited for first year organic sequence. A great deal of info includes keeping a lab notebook, experiment glasswares, separation techniques and IR spectroscopy. A particular section that I find helpful and handy is the discussion on jointware. The distinction and usage on different kinds of adaptation jointwares can be confusing. I believe Zubrick's book is one of the few out in the field that actually discusses the use of different jointware. The section "To Grease or not to grease" discusses whether or not to use a lubricant and when to use lubricant. For a novice organic lab student who is both confused and overwhelmed by massive equipment in the lab, this book is the perfect primer. Yet the information might be oversimplified and scarce to advanced student and lab chemist. Coverage on topics like TLC, distillation theory, spectroscopy could be more in-depth and detailed. I recommend this book for beginning students. For more advanced students, they should consult Vogel's "Practical Organic Chemistry".

MY CONSTANT COMPANION IN LAB!
This book is the most immediately useful and user friendly chem textbook I have ever purchased. Written with delightful wit, the Survivor Manual sent me into lab feeling confident, prepared and ready to relax and enjoy the experience. I used it constantly in pre-lab, in experiment trouble-shooting and it was invaluable in lab write-up. Without it I would have wasted alot of time and effort. Org. Chem. students do not need any additional unnecessary stress and this book greatly lessened mine. I can't think of a time when I had a question in lab that was not addressed in the Survivor Manual. ... Read more

Book Description

This supplemental text is designed to accompany Solomons or any Organic Chemistry text. David Klein helps students see the patterns in organic chemistry. This leads to a deeper conceptual understanding of the material and less memorizing or rote learning.

Many students in this course lack effective study habits and a sense of the big picture. Klein gives explicit instructions on how to organize one's study time. He also presents topics clearly by using a friendly writing style, analogy where appropriate, and lots of hands-on problem solving. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

I love you, Prof Klein
I'm a JHU student who took orgo two years ago. I got a D and I had no idea what was going on. Now I am taking orgo again with Prof Klein and its an entirely different class for me. Klein has this subject broken down into basic concepts, and it makes total sense now. We aren't even required to have the $120 text book (with its additional $80 solutions manual), just this short, simple, well-outlined book which I got for a mere $20. I still use Wade and my old Carey texts for additional problems, but I can't see how you can learn orgo effectively with those texts. Buy this book, do the problems and you will have a much easier time. And Klein, you are a great teacher, by the way.

AWESOME
This is by far and away the best book I have ever seen for ORGO. I read and did the book before starting class and I have the highest average in the class! Eveything is in language that is understandable (even to a dyslexic like me!) and actually fun to read. My Prof. wanted to see it after I told him about it and he's recommending it as an optional text for the fall classes .. He also borrowed my copy to take to the departmental meeting and show to the other Profs. If you have to take ORGO and do well, this it THE BOOK to help you do it!

If you are Pre-Med, an engineer, or just taking Orgo, then..
GET THIS BOOK! I'm a current pre-med student at Columbia University and i wanted a book to help me prep for my upcoming Orgo class. Though I haven't finished this book, I can honestly say it is fabulous! I had to stop reading to come and write this review. Klein def. knows his stuff. He breaks it down into PLAIN ENGLISH! And for a student like me who hates the terminology of expensive text books, this is much needed relief. Its like he's talking to directly to you. You almost expect him to call, when you're done with the book, to congratulate and wish you luck in the future. There are many examples, some simple, others tricky and a bit advanced. I truly believe that you (and I) will go into any Organic Chem class and feel very secure about the material. Do yourself a favor and get this book. It concise, compact, and an easy read...A recommended book for you to take while your on that summer vacation!

Enthusiastic professor, great writer!
Dr. Klein is a professor (and former student) at Johns Hopkins who really inspired me to (gasp!) go way beyond the general requirements of organic chemistry to go on to take upper level and graduate courses on the subject, even while I am not a chemistry major!

He takes the anxiety out of organic chemistry and teaches it as a friend, even when my lecture class had over 450 students.

I highly recommend his book as not only a way to learn organic chemistry but to welcome learning organic chemistry.

Klein's Student
This is a good book for preparing for the mcats or doing well in orgo. ... Read more