Molecules: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) [Paperback]

Philip Ball (Author)

Book Description

Series: Very Short Introductions | Publication Date: December 1, 2003

The processes in a single living cell are akin to that of a city teeming with molecular inhabitants that move, communicate, cooperate, and compete. In this Very Short Introduction, Philip Ball explores the role of the molecule in and around us--how, for example, a single fertilized egg can grow into a multi-celled Mozart, what makes spider's silk insoluble in the morning dew, and how this molecular dynamism is being captured in the laboratory, promising to reinvent chemistry as the central creative science of the century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Review from previous edition: "If the intimate workings of molecules seem invisible, through Philip Ball's lively pros we see them--coming to life, helping us live. A special delight of this excellent book is the tie that emerges between the wondrous molecules of nature and those chemists make in the laboratory."--Ronald Hoffmann, Chemistry Nobel Laureate 1981

"Almost no aspect of the exciting advances in molecular research studies at the beginning of the 21st Century has been left untouched and in so doing, Ball has presented an imaginative, personal overview, which is as instructive as it is enjoyable to read."--Harry Kroto, Chemistry Nobel Laureate 1996

"This is a very readable and non-technical survey."--THES (UK)

About the Author

Philip Ball is a science writer and a consultant editor for Nature. His previous books include Designing the Molecular World, The Self-Made Tapestry, H20: A Biography of Water and The Ingredients: A Guided Tour of the Elements. He lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192854305
• ISBN-13: 978-0192854308
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #612,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Physics

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brief introduction to modern chemistry, January 9, 2007

By 

Dr. Bojan Tunguz (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Molecules: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

My training is in Physics, and I have not had a chance to read-up on Chemistry in a long while. I decided to read this book in order to get a better bird's eye view of what the modern Chemistry is up to these days. As such, this book was a great introduction, and brought me up to speed with some of the more recent developments. Thanks to this book and some other info I got, I was able to piece things together and figure out what some of the more advanced research in the conventional explosives is all about.