Here is the extensively revised and updated third edition of the classic first-year text by the Nobel laureate. Pauling covers atomic and molecular structure, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and thermodynamics correlated with descriptive chemistry. Problems. 75 pages of appendixes. Hailed by Choice as "an excellent text, highly recommended."
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154 of 157 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When Linus Pauling was teaching undergraduates at Caltech, he found that none of the existing undergrad texts would serve his purpose.So he decided to write his own. This was in the 1940's. The result, 'General Chemistry', even after more than 50 years, is one of the best introductions to chemistry at the University level that I know of. I discovered this book in my sophomore year and after that I couldn't put it down. If you really read this book thoroughly, you can probably say that you have an excellent grasp of most of the fundamental principles of chemistry. Pauling's masterly style of explaining the essentials without compromising on information is unmatched. The small, simple calculations that he illustrates in each chapter are enlightening. In addition, the book is lavishly illustrated with beautiful figures by Roger Hayward. Pauling has a special knack of bringing out the flavor of seemingly boring but important topics like thermochemistry and ionic equilibrium. If you want one book that will launch your chemical knowledge on the right trajectory, trust me and buy this one. You will be enlightened by it forever.
87 of 89 people found the following review helpful
By Einsteinian
Format:Paperback
This is an interesting, if somewhat dated and eccentric textbook by the man who was probably the leading chemist of the twentieth century. It is full of interesting insight, and written with real flair, so much unlike the typical textbook today produced by the textbook publishing machines.
Let me give a couple of examples, good and bad, of what makes this book interesting, but also exasperating.
The book is the only freshman chemistry text I know of that has a derivation of the Boltzmann distribution P ~ e^(-E/kT), a very basic relation in the kinetic theory of gases and in fact in all of statistical physics. The derivation is simpler than most, which makes it a real jewel especially at this level, where most people would think it doesn't belong.
On the other hand, the section on chemical bonding, which is actually where Pauling made his reputation, is very eccentric, like the author, so much so that it makes the book unsuitable as the sole text for a course. It is all based on sp3 hybrid orbitals. As far as I can tell, sp2 and sp hybrids are never mentioned. With the sp3 story, Pauling is able to account surprisingly well for some systematics of bond lengths. Whether this is fortuitous or not, I don't know, but it is interesting. On the other hand, without sp2 and sp hybrids, he is completely unable to give the standard, very simple, beautiful account of bond angles. A student learning introductory chemistry from this text who then went into organic chemistry would soon be at a disadvantage without knowing the theory of hybrid orbitals that everyone else would get from any of the standard contemporary texts.
My recommendation: use this text as a very insightful, quirky supplement. The price is certainly right.
The text that comes closest, in my opinion, in seriousness, if not eccentricity, is the contemporary text by Oxtoby and coauthors. It is too highbrow though for most college introductory chemistry courses.
Let me give a couple of examples, good and bad, of what makes this book interesting, but also exasperating.
The book is the only freshman chemistry text I know of that has a derivation of the Boltzmann distribution P ~ e^(-E/kT), a very basic relation in the kinetic theory of gases and in fact in all of statistical physics. The derivation is simpler than most, which makes it a real jewel especially at this level, where most people would think it doesn't belong.
On the other hand, the section on chemical bonding, which is actually where Pauling made his reputation, is very eccentric, like the author, so much so that it makes the book unsuitable as the sole text for a course. It is all based on sp3 hybrid orbitals. As far as I can tell, sp2 and sp hybrids are never mentioned. With the sp3 story, Pauling is able to account surprisingly well for some systematics of bond lengths. Whether this is fortuitous or not, I don't know, but it is interesting. On the other hand, without sp2 and sp hybrids, he is completely unable to give the standard, very simple, beautiful account of bond angles. A student learning introductory chemistry from this text who then went into organic chemistry would soon be at a disadvantage without knowing the theory of hybrid orbitals that everyone else would get from any of the standard contemporary texts.
My recommendation: use this text as a very insightful, quirky supplement. The price is certainly right.
The text that comes closest, in my opinion, in seriousness, if not eccentricity, is the contemporary text by Oxtoby and coauthors. It is too highbrow though for most college introductory chemistry courses.
60 of 61 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Even though this is NOT the most up to date and technically correct text out there, it is still the best introduction to general chemistry I've seen which is why I rated it 5 stars (I refuse to dock it points for being old, unlike other reviews of other books I've seen). I found a copy at a garage sale, best four bucks I've spent in a while. The format of this book is superb, basing thermodynamics on his discussion of statistical mechanics and QM-he found it makes learning much more smooth, and I happen to agree. If someone would get permission to update this book and not much more, perfect general chem text for a college sequence. For those who'd like more physical and mathematical detail, the appendices are chock full of derivations, integrations and connections to make your heart swoon. Excellent book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Linus Pauling is Amazing
I bought this book after being out of school for 6 years and going back for my PhD I needed to brush up on my chem. Read more
Published 17 days ago by JDCalVino
5.0 out of 5 stars
Among the best
Very thorough and concise supplement to overly-wordy college text books. I would recommend this to anyone taking a college level general chemistry course.
Published 2 months ago by Mac
3.0 out of 5 stars
Didn't use it much
My professor told us to buy a chem book, but wouldn't tell us what book. So I bought this hoping it would help. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Joshua Ackerman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
Met my expectations, had tons of info about chemistry, both basic and more advanced chemistry, great for all levels of chem
Published 5 months ago by Sebastien
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing to say, it Pauling
This is an excelent book for who is coursing a general chemistry course. The general chemistry of Linus Pauling and the general chemistry of Mahan & Myers are two textbooks... Read more
Published 6 months ago by JP Zúńiga
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Masterpiece.
Pauling links so many different areas of chemistry, physics, and analytical and practical applications of chemistry in this book, this is definitely a must have a any chemist or... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Boson18
3.0 out of 5 stars
Different than what I expected
This maybe a good book for those of who already have a solid understanding of chemistry. However, I have purchased this book expecting to learn the most basic concepts of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Literature and Music
5.0 out of 5 stars
Use it as a supplement
Put simply, if you are taking chemistry at the university level, just buy this book. I say this because it is so cheap to purchase. Read more
Published 20 months ago by D. Koller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Intro to Chem
I am about to start a General Chemistry class at university and was nervous because I have never taken high school chem. This book is great! Read more
Published on May 9, 2011 by DJ Fryer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Chemistry Text
You can not beat a classic. Dr. Pauling is not for the casual student.
If you do all the work, you will really understand chemistry.
If you do all the work, you will really understand chemistry.
Published on March 7, 2011 by Glen Clark
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