Rating: 
Summary: a good book for its intended audience
Review: As a graduate student, I can appreciate this book for what it is - a very general overview for those without a technical background. Ratner sets the stage very well, describing why the nanoscale is a "different kind of small," and what implications this has in several fields - medical, electronics, energy, consumer products, etc. Since we are talking mainly about the ability to very precisely design material properties, and every manufacturing-based industry is based on the use of some material, it is not too much of a leap to see that working at the nanoscale will be a huge source of competitive advantage in the coming years.
The only portion of the book I found lacking was the investment/business section. Most non-technical readers of this book probably have a rudimentary understanding of business, if not an expertise in business, and this part of the book was a little too basic.
One interesting point not mentioned in the book (And I wouldn't expect it to have been mentioned) - within the technical community, many folks shy away from using the word "nanotech," largely because it is typically viewed as the next logical step in established fields. "Mechanical Engineering at a smaller scale," "More precise Materials Engineering," "Business as usual for the chemists," etc. etc. It is a far more common word among lawyers, politicians, and business people, those who are looking at technology trends from a very high level. Still, I would have to say that Ratner gets it right - it is beneficial for the scientific and engineering communities to think about this as a new field, one in which knowledge of engineering, chemistry, and biology are all essential. Simply thinking in terms of this paradigm will encourage folks who may never have spoken before (i.e. - a mechanical engineer and a chemist) to realize that there is room for innovative collaborations. In addition to new designer materials, this may be the biggest result of the "nanotech" revolution.
Rating: 
Summary: A fabulous read!
Review: I am a general user of computer systems, and not schooled in nanoscience at all. What a relief to see that there's a book out there that can explain this emerging field to me! Not only is the book easy to read, it's fascinating, with a review of in-depth nan inventions, business aspects, and a general review of chemistry which is great because I had forgotten how it all fits together.I would recommend this book to the average user that wants to know about this science-it is really easy to read and it makes the entire science clear-I was not aware of the science before this except for general rumors of nanobots. It is a refreshing look at a science that has, until now, been under-reported.
Rating:
Summary: Nanotechnology from across the ocean.
Review: I came to this book as someone with some knowledge of the field. It's good; accurate, up-to-date and, in my judgment, understandable to a layman with a basic science education. Written from the viewpoint of what is arguably the leading Department in the field, and so with a significant bias, it nonetheless gives a bird's eye view of the world-wide situation. But for some of the stuff is featured, this is the first exposure. `Nanotechnology' is a buzz-word and the history of buzz-words is that they are over-hyped. Perhaps this will be true of nanotechnology, but for sure it will have a real impact on the lives of us all. So, since publication of the book, the American Chemical Society has established a Nanoscience Subdivision, a sure sign that they are convinced that the subject is here to stay. I had only one problem with the book, but one which resolved itself. I suspect that, as they wrote the book, the authors included colored diagrams at appropriate points in the text but, at publication, were told that these colored diagrams would be collected in the middle of the book, the in-text versions being black and white. So, we have black and white diagrams referred to as if they were in color - but with no reference to either the existence or whereabouts of the colored versions. Which I found disconcerting until the truth dawned. Perhaps this pattern is recognized in North America, but if so, the recognition has yet to cross the pond, from where I write.
Rating:
Summary: Nanotechnology from across the ocean.
Review: I came to this book as someone with some knowledge of the field. It's good; accurate, up-to-date and, in my judgment, understandable to a layman with a basic science education. Written from the viewpoint of what is arguably the leading Department in the field, and so with a significant bias, it nonetheless gives a bird's eye view of the world-wide situation. But for some of the stuff is featured, this is the first exposure. 'Nanotechnology' is a buzz-word and the history of buzz-words is that they are over-hyped. Perhaps this will be true of nanotechnology, but for sure it will have a real impact on the lives of us all. So, since publication of the book, the American Chemical Society has established a Nanoscience Subdivision, a sure sign that they are convinced that the subject is here to stay. I had only one problem with the book, but one which resolved itself. I suspect that, as they wrote the book, the authors included colored diagrams at appropriate points in the text but, at publication, were told that these colored diagrams would be collected in the middle of the book, the in-text versions being black and white. So, we have black and white diagrams referred to as if they were in color - but with no reference to either the existence or whereabouts of the colored versions. Which I found disconcerting until the truth dawned. Perhaps this pattern is recognized in North America, but if so, the recognition has yet to cross the pond, from where I write.
Rating: 
Summary: Feel free to pass this book by!
Review: I have been very interested in the field and study of nanotechnology. I recently bought some books of which one was Mark Ratner's--Gentle Introduction. I struggled about halfway through before finally putting it down due to the incessant babble about how good Northwestern is and that the book's examples were quite unhelpful. I understand that someone can be very proud of where they work and the type of people they interact with; and there is nothing wrong with that. However, I quickly became tired of how he thinks that the epicenter of the nanotechnological world revolves around Northwestern and his small group of colleagues. He seems to be kissing butt with his descriptions of them and rarely ventures to other areas of the world where other important research is going on. I also was quite unhappy with the explanations of both technology examples and pictures in the book. The explanations do not fully describe what you are looking at and if you do not already have an idea of what he is trying to explain (from another research source) you will find yourself feeling like you are lacking full understanding. This book is hardly a "gentle" introduction so don't waste your money on it like I did. It's more like walking down a dark path in a fog than receiving a clear understanding of where nanotechnology has come from and where it's going. -Matt
Rating:
Summary: Feel free to pass this book by!
Review: I have been very interested in the field and study of nanotechnology. I recently bought some books of which one was Mark Ratner's--Gentle Introduction. I struggled about halfway through before finally putting it down due to the incessant babble about how good Northwestern is and that the book's examples were quite unhelpful. I understand that someone can be very proud of where they work and the type of people they interact with; and there is nothing wrong with that. However, I quickly became tired of how he thinks that the epicenter of the nanotechnological world revolves around Northwestern and his small group of colleagues. He seems to be kissing butt with his descriptions of them and rarely ventures to other areas of the world where other important research is going on. I also was quite unhappy with the explanations of both technology examples and pictures in the book. The explanations do not fully describe what you are looking at and if you do not already have an idea of what he is trying to explain (from another research source) you will find yourself feeling like you are lacking full understanding. This book is hardly a "gentle" introduction so don't waste your money on it like I did. It's more like walking down a dark path in a fog than receiving a clear understanding of where nanotechnology has come from and where it's going. -Matt
Rating: 
Summary: Heavy on Hype, Light on Information
Review: I really wanted to like it, but I didn't much care for the Ratner's Introduction to Nano. The two dish out a lot of hype (Imagine that... imagine that... Nanotechnology may do all of these things!) and not as much information as one would expect, even from a book mean to ease you into a topic. I found the writing totally average. Misconceived jokes and mechanical prose made reading the book most unpleasurable, and chapters are so divided that the book has very little continuity. Look somewhere else for a book on nano.
Rating:
Summary: Heavy on Hype, Light on Information
Review: I really wanted to like it, I didn't much care for the Ratner's Introduction to Nano. The two dish out a lot of hype (Imagine that... imagine that... Nanotechnology may do all of these things!) and not as much information as one would expect, even from a book mean to ease you into a topic. I found the writing totally average. Misconceived jokes and mechanical prose made reading the book most unpleasurable, and chapters are so divided that the book has very little continuity. Look somewhere else for a book on nano.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Introduction to Nanotechnology
Review: I thought this book was an excellent introduction to the field of nanotechnology for the non-scientist. I highly recommend this book to those interested in cutting-edge scientific ideas as well as those with a particular interest in nanotechnology. I am a lawyer and graduate law student interested in the field of nanoscience from a legal/regulatory perspective. I have not taken a science course since early high school and I wanted a book which would give me a "gentle introduction to/overview of" the field so that I could grasp the science/technical basics. I found this book perfect for that purpose. It simplifies complex ideas without being simplistic. It starts with the very basics and explains simple concepts - like what is an atom, what is a molecule - without dumbing-down the information. It then progresses to the more complex, offering a terrific overview of nanoscience from the broadest possible perspective. It covers virtually every area - from optics, to electronics, to biotechnology, to ethics and investment issues. It even contains a helpful glossary of important terms. I thought that it was a wonderful book, intelligently written, brief and to the point. I can see how some people who are well versed in science might find this book too basic. However, as the authors point out in the introduction to this book, it was designed to introduce the scientific basics of nanotechnology to non-scientist professionals. It succeeds in doing just that. I know I will refer to it time and again during my research and I will recommend it to everyone with an interest in this fascinating field.
Rating:
Summary: A good overview of nanothech
Review: It's a tad bit technical for the lay-person, but it will definitley give one a solid grasp of what nanotech is all about.
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