The Consumer's Good Chemical Guide: A Jargon-Free Guide to the Chemicals of Everyday Life (Scientific American Library Series) [Paperback]

John Emsley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1996 | Series: Scientific American Library Series

Intended as a non-technical reference guide, this book contains information for all those concerned about the impact of chemicals - both natural and synthetic - in their foodstuffs, their lives and the environment. It explains in accessible, non-technical language the science behind sugar and artificial sweeteners; cholesterol, animal fats and fibre; painkillers; plastics and PVC; and the risks associated with taking drugs. It also exposes the misinformation and disinformation that surrounds many of the controversial chemicals we meet in daily life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr (Sd) (February 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716730340
• ISBN-13: 978-0716730347
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,817,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This ought to be required reading!, July 14, 2002

By 

J. Gittins "chemistry student" (Pinconning ,MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Consumer's Good Chemical Guide: A Jargon-Free Guide to the Chemicals of Everyday Life (Hardcover)

It is definetely too bad that this book is not still in print for the public to buy! I'm 18 years old and love science, but you don't really have to be a science whiz to understand it.
What I believe is so great about this book is that it exposes the fallacies in the beliefs people have about certain chemicals, from sugar (and artifical sweeteners), cholesterol, fats, and fiber, painkillers (and other medications), PVC, dioxins, and carbon dioxide (global warming). People are misinformed by the media and even medical sources as to the dangers of these things, when many of these things are actually good for us!
This book was written from a logical viewpoint. John Emsley, who is a great author, discusses both sides of a topic, and really just makes the book interesting.
I believe it should be required reading in high school because then so many kids would be exposed to the fallacies that the media puts out about everything from sugar (It's not bad!) to body health. We as Americans believe so many things blindly without realizing the actual scientific proof. This books is great!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT, November 23, 2002

By 

Anibal Lopes (RALEIGH, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Consumer's Good Chemical Guide: A Jargon-Free Guide to the Chemicals of Everyday Life (Hardcover)

This was a very clearly written and insightful book. It was well researched and presented in an appealing format in layman's terms. He described the essence of flavors,perfumes, and other good chemicals. The best book on the importance of chemistry in everyday life that I've read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of useful information!, November 28, 2009

By 

Charles Evans "Call me Kevin" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Consumer's Good Chemical Guide: A Jargon-Free Guide to the Chemicals of Everyday Life (Hardcover)

John Emsley has written a series of interesting books on how chemistry interacts with our everyday lives such as Nature's Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements, Molecules of Murder: Criminal Molecules and Classic Cases. "The Consumer's Good Chemical Guide" is well written and provides straight talk on how consumer chemistry. Not interested? Consider

- How do pain killers work? Why are some better than others?

- What is the history of artificial sweeteners? Is Aspartame actually dangerous?

- What causes perfumes to smell?

- How can chemistry help you devise a fool-proof diet?

- What is the difference between the different types of fats? How are they different once they enter your body?

A small sampling of the topics, but it really does not do the book justice. Remember each topic is being describing by a top-notch researcher, and real references are provided. My final verdict - highly recommended for anyone who has an interest in chemistry.

5 Stars