Chemistry: Molecules, Matter, and Change

Rating:
Summary: Review's book
Review: Despite of beautifull and helpfull pictures, unfortunately, the text of this book is very superficial. It is dangerous for two reasons: 1) in some way, the beautifull pictures keep off the student's immagination and 2) the most important aspect, from the own text it appears many important basic questions which can not be answered because the very superficial way that the author writes about the subject. Important aspects are not answered and just a general view is showed. The author has tried make a easy reading book but I think what he got was a very superficial and not helpfull text book about this important subject that is GENERAL CHEMISTRY. So, be aware about this aspect, it is a beautifull book, but it is like a shop windows: just for take a look.

Rating:
Summary: Acceptable First Year College Chemistry Book
Review: Hey, it's just a first year college chemisty textbook for use in the USA. As a microbial biochemistry professor, I see it to be perfectly OK from a beginning chemistry perspective. Some will like it, some will not. Introductory chemistry is just difficult for some people, no matter what text they use, or how skilled or unskilled the professors appear to be. One has to work at it. This text is not meant to be an upper level text as the misguided, rather strident, and seemingly arrogant review from Rome might have you believe (considering the inappropriate and misdirected review comments) --- but this is the same reviewer who somewhat viciously and, in the same manner, mistakenly criticized the rather excellent, introductory-level, general microbiology textbook --- Brock: Biology of Microorganisms. Jones and Atkins is a general, first year, introductory textbook and a useful as any. Nothing more, nothing less --- . In the USA, most students don't have the luxury of choosing their primary class texts anyway. Those who do can always look to the reviews of other gen chem texts, but I'd be very careful and consider the appropriateness of some of the reviews.

Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent high school level text for chemistry
Review: Please ignore the Silicon Valley review. As a veteran teacher in chemistry, I have previewed many texts in chemistry. This text places a premium on conveying the necessary chemical concepts in such a way that students can understand without using the accompanying CD. It is an easy book to teach from as it is logically divided, textually accurate and yes, it does have many colorful photos of reactions and scientific principles. After reading the Silicon Valley review, I feel a grammar book is much more necessary than a chemistry text.