Chemistry Demystified

by Linda Williams

Say goodbye to dry presentations, grueling formulas, and abstract theory that would put Einstein to sleep--now there's an easier way to master chemistry, biology, trigonometry, and geometry. McGraw-Hill's Demystified Series teaches complex subjects in a unique, easy-to-absorb manner and is designed for users without formal training, unlimited time, or genius IQs. Organized like self-teaching guides, they come complete with key points, background information, questions at the end of each chapter, and final exams. There's no better way to gain instant expertise! ABOUT CHEMISTRY
* Current, real-world examples illustrate the essential nature of the basic elements as they form various states of gases, liquids, and solids
* Covers essentials such as understanding matter; chemical building blocks; elements, electrons, and the periodic table; properties and reactions
* Includes unique Chembites, tips, scientific news, and cutting-edge industry applications not usually found in textbooks

Genres: Science, Chemistry, Textbooks, Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Also published as Linda D. Williams.

Linda Williams is a writer in the fields of science and medicine. She has worked as a technical writer and chief scientist at NASA and McDonnell Douglas, and currently works at Rice University. She has served as a science speaker for a number of years. Ms. Williams is the author of the popular "Chemistry Demystified, " another volume in this series.

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay, not edited very well though.

[Nina Castellano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this book as a reference when I took an exam. (I might read it again because I didn't pass the exam) On the lighter side of things, when I read this book (as an adult), it made so much sense! I mean, I learned A LOT from it. I don't know why I didn't like Chemistry in high school. (I do know why, my Chemistry teacher was a horrible terror teacher!) This book made learning Chemistry so much easier!

[Alec Julien · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, after finding three pretty absurd mathematical errors in the early parts of the book, I lost all faith that the author knows even basic arithmetic, let alone chemistry. Into the recycle bin with it!

[Anthony Shull · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't get this book. I was a little put off by some seeming inconsistencies in the first few pages. Then I got to the section where they convert Celsius to Fahrenheit; my answer didn't match theirs. So, I read their solution and it looked like the made a basic error disregarding the distributive property. I looked it up online and their conversion was absolutely wrong. I decided to recycle the book so nobody else has to encounter it.

[Ellyanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

didn’t have every big topic, but had good explanations

[Sam Sepiol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great for armchair scientists, not chemistry students. It is somewhat slow and doesn't have good quizzes that require applying formulas or the like, but instead the quizzes test your memory of the different facts.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an entry-level chemistry book, most likely engineered for school children. Although these may never read a chemistry book that is not their school text-book. All subjects are presented very simply indeed, making it an easy book to read. But the style is a little uncomfortable, as if deliberately trying to appeal to its readership.



It has been a joy returning to a favourite subject in however basic a form. The periodic table is a marvelous tool and a source of endless fascination. Not enough is done in terms of experimental chemistry and measurements, which I am more interested to relearn. The material here is made to impress, I feel, not to go into any level of detail.



There is an element of the unknown in chemistry, which no book attempts to express. There are many laws and many theories about how materials behave, but explanations about why material behaves as it does is yet only theories. The natural sciences, of which chemistry is one of the greatest, continue to promise that one day all will be known. I await a book that will raise itself even briefly above the self-congratulations about the last few centuries to express some appreciation for mysteries that may never be made clear.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is NOT going to teach you chemistry or even begin to teach you to "do" any chemistry. What it will do is familiarize you with some key ideas or concepts and provide you with a very brief history or highlights of the history of chemistry. It is a nice book with which to prepare to begin to study chemistry or to have on hand while taking that first class to provide additional explanation of certain concepts.

[G. Branden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dreadful. Abysmal.

I can't say enough bad things about this book.

I never could bring myself to write a detailed takedown of this book, but it is packed with errors; they abound on practically every page. Some are obvious only to a person who has already learned the subject, rendering this book cruel and misleading, a profound disservice to its audience.

[Quinn Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original book had several typos that were identified in proof but not corrected before going to print. The 2nd edition is great for introductory chemistry, home schooling or for adults wanting to change careers.

[Daniel Ulm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book