Customer Reviews

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 84th Edition

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Some years ago, an author in a science fiction magazine put forth a gedanken (thought experiment). Suppose you would be transported to another planet and you had to attempt to rebuild our civilisation. But you could only take 6 books with you.

What would you take?

Well, that author gave a list of his suggestions. One of which was this; well an earlier edition anyway. He pointed out something about the Rubber Handbook, which is what anyone who regularly uses this book calls it. So easy to take for granted, because in any lab, you can usually rummage around and find some edition of it. But it represents millions of hours of engineering and research to measure and collate its results.

If there is one book that summarises the engineering of our civilisation, it is this.

Always nice to see CRC continually updating it. But having said the above, whether you need this latest edition is another matter. The changes are incremental. If you have an older edition, and there is no specific reason to upgrade, then you probably shouldn't. Note that I did not say never. Just tell yourself you can defer it till next year. Then, at that time, ask yourself again.

My adviser recommended I get this book for all my reference need. Looking up properties of metals, boiling point of water at different pressures, etc.

I use this book on regular basis and it's never left my sight.

These tend to be rather expensive, but you can always pickup a used copy (I got it used, no problems there).

If I didn't own it I would definitely buy it again.

What a great source for SO MUCH information! Perfect for anyone in the field or students who love science as much as I do!