Chemistry the Easy Way (Barron's Easy Way) [Paperback]

Joseph A. Mascetta (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0812091388 | ISBN-13: 978-0812091380 | Publication Date: February 1996 | Edition: 3rd

This valuable review covers all essentials of chemistry for high school students or college students taking introductory chemistry courses. Featured are clear presentations of atomic structure, bonding, equilibrium, and kinetics. Includes tables, sample laboratory set-ups, illustrations, a glossary of terms, and five model tests with answers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 3rd edition (February 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812091388
• ISBN-13: 978-0812091380
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It Could've Been Easier., January 21, 2000

By 

Tiffany K. Ng (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chemistry the Easy Way (Barron's Easy Way) (Paperback)

While this book offers clear explanations, its attempt to be succint may frustrate readers who are teaching themselves chemistry. The author assumes that the reader is taking a chemistry course and therefore does not always explain topics in enough depth to give the reader a clear understanding. This makes reading a bit more difficult. Furthermore, there are a number of errors in the problems and answers. However, considering some of the other books available, this book does a relatively good job of clarifying and summarizing essential concepts.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Chemistry The Confusing Way?, January 22, 2001

By 

A. Cooper "possum" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chemistry the Easy Way (Barron's Easy Way) (Paperback)

Okay, while this book is a wealth of information, it does not meet the two most important elements of a self-teaching book - 1) to be slow, deliberate, repetitive, and concise, and 2) no errors in the formulas or answers! As far as the second, there is nothing more frustrating when you are learning on your own than to waste time trying to figure out if it is your error or a book error. My second problem with this book is that, while it started out slowly enough, by the second chapter it seemed as if the author got impatient having to explain everything. The diagrams in Chapter 2 (which is when I tossed the book) were the most eye-aching, confusing mess of drawings that I've seen in an introductory book, not to mention they came with only limited explanation. I've started another book that was recommended, called Chemistry Concepts and Problems, by Clifford Houk and Richard Post. I'm still in the first chapter, but I think I can comfortably recommend that book for chemistry beginners. Perhaps I will use Chemistry The Easy Way sometime in the future, when I know more about chemistry and would like another backup book. But as a starter book, I do not recommend it.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible for self-study, June 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Chemistry the Easy Way (Barron's Easy Way) (Paperback)

This book is horrible for self-study. While it may help improve grades for those already taking chemistry, the book is NOT one that I would recommend for those wanting to take college level exams. I have worked in the education field for eight years as an instructor, curriculum developer, and as a chief of non-resident correspondence course development, and my opinion is that this book is pitiful. The chapter review exercises are especially awful. For example, the review exercises ask questions on information that was never even covered in the lessons themselves. I'm certain that this leaves a lot of poor souls wondering just where the information lies. Perhaps I'm spoiled, but as a professional technical writer, my ethics with teaching tools begin by asking questions on material that is covered in the text.

This book may be designed to help those already taking chemistry improve their grades, but nothing more. My suggestion for those who want to learn chemistry on their own, please look elsewhere. My editors would laugh if I had attempted to publish this kind of publication, especially with the misleading forward that led me to buy the book. Claims that you can use the review exercises to check your comprehension of the material are pure bunk (paragraph one, above). Additionally, don't expect this book to help you prepare for College Entrance Exam Boards or the like. The book is not a good teaching tool, but rather, may be a good book for reinforcing what you may have already learned about chemistry from some other source.