Customer Reviews

Organic Chemistry, Fourth Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This text is a remarkable departure from the mundane world of organic chemistry texts. Not only does Dr. Bruice lay a good foundation by discussing electronic structure and nomenclature right upfront, she does a great job of including a historical perspective of the subject as well. This book is about understanding the material and applying your new found knowledge to solve problems never before encountered. This book is not about memorizing 400 reactions and trying to fit everything together on your own. One of the main departures this text has to offer is the detailed discussion of catalysis and bioorganic chemistry. Most students really enjoy the biochemical aspects of the subject and Dr. Bruice makes these connections throughout the book. I highly recommend this book dispite the few typographical errors mentioned in other reviews (what text doesn't have a few?). The improved artwork and simplicity of dialog is refreshing.

M. Werner (Asst. Prof. Organic and Biochemistry)
Lake Superior State University

This is an excellent book that uses illuminating diagrams and examples to explain fundamental concepts. It is by no means, however, an easy reader. To understand the concepts you must read the chapters and do the problems at least 3 to 4 times. (if not more). I worked very hard in orgo, which is one of the reasons why I did well in it. The only reason that kept this rating from being higher, was the solutions manual and the chapter on stereochemistry. The solutions manual is very selective in it's explanations. The solutions to the problems are not explained in a way that everyone can understand it. A solutions manual should always include detailed explanations of every problem, and this solutions manual certainly doesn't do that. Then, on the flip side, if you thorougly understand the chapter before attempting the problems at the end of each chapter, then the solutions manual is an excellent guide. Chapter 5, the stereochemistry chapter, at least all of it, except section 5.19, is extremely poorly written. Stereochemistry is a very tough and important subject, and although the chapter was 50 pages long, it was written very inadequately with examples that don't exemplify simple concepts. Get a model set to learn stereochem, I finally learned at the end of Ochem 2, but that was because I finally understood the basics, and understood that it was extremely easy. Overall, this book is not for someone that doesn't have an interest in ochem, but for someone that takes passion with the subject. I never went to class, but i loved the subject, so the book, for me was excellent. If you love chemistry-BUY THIS BOOK.

With colorful illustrations and a supplemental website for extra practice and concept connection, this text is one of the better texts for introducing organic chemistry. As well, there is a teachers' resource from the publisher which allows easy creation of multimedia presentations for the classroom or preparing online notes for the students. It's organized well in the beginning, although some of the topics at the end get a bit redundant. The redundancy has its purpose, though, as it helps to demonstrate the parallels of laboratory chemistry and the in vivo biochemistry.

The astute instructor will be able to guide the beginner in the typographical errors in the text, which are all proposed to have been fixed in the newest edition (though I have not verified it personally). When the market value drops substantially, I recommend this edition. However, if you want a more intensive study of organic chemistry, I recommend the Advanced Organic Chemistry series by Caery and Sundberg. Though not as colorful nor student-friendly, those texts are byfar the most intensive study of organic chemistry I have personally come across.

This is by far the best textbook that I have ever owned. I did not go to class, but I was able to do well just by reading the book and doing the problems along the way. Organic is hard if you try to memorize. This text teaches fundamental principles well, which minimizes the strain when more complex problems arise. There are some problems with the solutions manual/study guide. There are many errors in the solutions, and I wish that the author would elaborate on many of the explanations.

I use this book in a college level organic chemistry lecture. I feel that the book is clear and also offers some colorful illustrations to convey the concepts. The figures and pictures throughout the book provide a nice "break" from the arguably heavy reading material. That is, I feel that I can better retain the information in this context opposed to strictly text. The only slight nuisance is perhaps the order of the book. My professor covers the book in a slightly different order than it is written, often skipping from chapter to chapter. However, I don't know if this is a fault of the book.

This is one of the best sophomore level o-chem text available. The explanation is clear and the writing style is straight-forward. The organization of the topics is somewhat different from the traditional functional group approach. This helps students to apply what they learn early in the course to the reactions in later chapters. I don't see how anyone who is ready to take o-chem can be confused by this organization unless his/her instructor takes a very different approach from the textbook itself. The answers to the problems are certainly not error free. But keep in mind, when you read anything written by today's college students, reduce the magnitude by at least 10 times to come even close to what they are trying to say. Our English language will soon lose any meaning if this trend of exageration doesn't stop soon. I am also not surprised that most students cannot learn organic chemistry on their own from this textbook. No other textbook would do either. Going to class is absolutely essential (if instructors can be understood by students) besides working lots of problems and learning to think.

Even though this is a later edition of the textbook I needed for my course it contains all the same information and cost about $200 less. The book was used but was in great shape. Thank you.

The book itself was in good condition. But there was a lot of writing and highlighting in the book. Entire sections have been crossed out and scribbled across. On the bright side, some of the notations have been pretty helpful in class!!

It's ok I guess but I have no other book for reference because this is my first time taking the course.