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The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments
The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments is a children's chemistry book written in 1960 by Robert Brent and illustrated by Harry Lazarus and published by Western Publishing as part of their Golden Books series.
A decade after the book's publication, concerns were raised over the safety of the reactions described, which frequently used or generated toxic or corrosive substances. For example, one experiment generated toxic chlorine gas, and another used carbon tetrachloride, a potent hepatotoxin.
The book was also believed to be a source of inspiration to David Hahn, nicknamed "the Radioactive Boy Scout" by the media, who attempted to construct a nuclear reactor in his mother's shed, although the book does not include any nuclear reactions.
Due to safety concerns, the book was eventually pulled from library shelves. It is now quite rare, and as of November 2023 OCLC lists only 101 copies of this book in libraries worldwide. However, privately-owned copies are routinely put up for sale online.
The first edition was printed in 1960. A second printing was made in 1962 and a revised edition was printed in 1963.
The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments was republished by Timeless Classic Publisher in the following formats: Kindle (2021 + 2023), Paperback (2023) and Hardcover (2023).
A decade after the book's publication, concerns were raised over the safety of the reactions described, which frequently used or generated toxic or corrosive substances. For example, one experiment generated toxic chlorine gas, and another used carbon tetrachloride, a potent hepatotoxin.
The book was also believed to be a source of inspiration to David Hahn, nicknamed "the Radioactive Boy Scout" by the media, who attempted to construct a nuclear reactor in his mother's shed, although the book does not include any nuclear reactions.
Due to safety concerns, the book was eventually pulled from library shelves. It is now quite rare, and as of November 2023 OCLC lists only 101 copies of this book in libraries worldwide. However, privately-owned copies are routinely put up for sale online.
The first edition was printed in 1960. A second printing was made in 1962 and a revised edition was printed in 1963.
The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments was republished by Timeless Classic Publisher in the following formats: Kindle (2021 + 2023), Paperback (2023) and Hardcover (2023).
112 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1960
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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March 16, 2010I downloaded this from: http://chemistry.about.com/b/2008/08/...
Looking forward to the read!
Looking forward to the read!
May 13, 2020
It's a shame that this book is no longer physically available anywhere, as it is the finest introduction to hands-on chemistry every published.
The instructions in the beginning for setting up your home lab are detailed and talk you through equipping your home with everything from lab-quality glassware and equipment down to how to make the same things from household goods.
The organization is top notch, with each section starting with a discussion of, say, sulfur compounds, followed by experiments and simple reactions you can do with household goods.
If more modern chemistry books were written like this one, we would have an entire generation of youth interested in the field. Sure, a couple of the reactions are mildly dangerous, but that's the price we pay to inspire.
The instructions in the beginning for setting up your home lab are detailed and talk you through equipping your home with everything from lab-quality glassware and equipment down to how to make the same things from household goods.
The organization is top notch, with each section starting with a discussion of, say, sulfur compounds, followed by experiments and simple reactions you can do with household goods.
If more modern chemistry books were written like this one, we would have an entire generation of youth interested in the field. Sure, a couple of the reactions are mildly dangerous, but that's the price we pay to inspire.
October 10, 2024
This was the book I read when I was 4 and 5 years old
Totally mastered my basic chemistry with this wonderful book
and seemed to be the only person in the world to know about the
PHydrion papers for checking the pH
one of the coolest 1960s books of what a home brew chemistry lab was like, when you could get everything from the drug store.
The book is so wonderfully illustrated that you don't need to really do any of the experiments and get all the thrills and chills without the poisonings or math.
sadly the tedium of measurement in chemistry will kill the joy of weird compounds and mixtures.
Totally mastered my basic chemistry with this wonderful book
and seemed to be the only person in the world to know about the
PHydrion papers for checking the pH
one of the coolest 1960s books of what a home brew chemistry lab was like, when you could get everything from the drug store.
The book is so wonderfully illustrated that you don't need to really do any of the experiments and get all the thrills and chills without the poisonings or math.
sadly the tedium of measurement in chemistry will kill the joy of weird compounds and mixtures.
March 23, 2025
How did I get here? I read another book that mentioned this. Quoting from Wikipedia: The book was also believed to be a source of inspiration to David Hahn, nicknamed "the Radioactive Boy Scout" by the media, who attempted to construct a nuclear reactor in his mother's shed,[2] although the book does not include any nuclear reactions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gol...
If I had read that first I might have skipped it, but I did find a pdf on CD you could order from Ebay so...
I think this was written for a different time. Some of the experiments seemed a little iffy, like producing chlorine gas or making ethanol. It was interesting to me though that the author put the experiments before the theory. Making the circles and punching holes to show valences was a good idea.
Initially I gave the book a 4 but I changed it to a 5. Thing is, this was published in 1960. We still had shoe-fitting fluoroscopes out there, you know, and kids riding in the back windows of cars, all that. We still expected people not to be complete morons and we didn't sue each other so much. I loved chemistry when I was in high school and I can see where this "hands on" approach, with reasonable supervision, could teach kids a lot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gol...
If I had read that first I might have skipped it, but I did find a pdf on CD you could order from Ebay so...
I think this was written for a different time. Some of the experiments seemed a little iffy, like producing chlorine gas or making ethanol. It was interesting to me though that the author put the experiments before the theory. Making the circles and punching holes to show valences was a good idea.
Initially I gave the book a 4 but I changed it to a 5. Thing is, this was published in 1960. We still had shoe-fitting fluoroscopes out there, you know, and kids riding in the back windows of cars, all that. We still expected people not to be complete morons and we didn't sue each other so much. I loved chemistry when I was in high school and I can see where this "hands on" approach, with reasonable supervision, could teach kids a lot.
September 17, 2025
This is one of the classical texts teachers recommend to overambitious students, at least in poorer high schools. We never had it in the school library all these years ago, due to alleged "safety concerns", and "parental concerns"; my humble opinion is that the lack of passion for science and learning was the biggest concern and continues to be, but that's just me. The book is to the point, illustrating the basics of elementary experimental science (think 19th century, nothing with modern Arduinos, oscilloscopes, DNA sequencing); one of the projects, namely using mains voltage through a water bucket serving as a resistor is comically unsafe, but besides that...it's just really cool. Still, it is better, from a legal perspective at least, if you study science academically, and don't take it upon yourself to touch upon its experimental side outside of a university environment that shields you with its legal representation, rules, certified labs, and (one can only hope) competent supervision.
July 3, 2021
This is an absolutely fantastic retro chemistry lab book for young adult and students. Being published from almost 3/4 century ago, we can see how science education has changed over time. Yes, full of "Safety Failure" procedures inside the book, from tasting the chemicals, smelling the solvent, to doing all experiments without goggles nor gloves, it's terrifically funny for today's standard. Putting all safety measures aside, this book has a well organized experiment progression structure with elements centered units. I can say it's even better than many kids science books nowadays. Today's pop lab books is all about elephant toothpaste or colorful liquids without solid chemistry pedagogy. This book could even qualify for middle school chem lab companion.
Old school fiftysnique illustrations, an 102 elements only periodic table (#103 Lawrencium has yet to be confirmed back then), intriguing experiments, this is a marvelous page turning gem, especially for an obnoxious chemistry nerd like me.
Old school fiftysnique illustrations, an 102 elements only periodic table (#103 Lawrencium has yet to be confirmed back then), intriguing experiments, this is a marvelous page turning gem, especially for an obnoxious chemistry nerd like me.
March 26, 2025
What a read! I originally checked this out for its fame as a banned book, but ended up with a revised copy. Still, it was very entertaining and presented ideas about the natural world very simply. The illustrations are fantastic, and add a lot to the descriptions. This book simultaneously satisfies simple curiosities (why do some fibers burn while others melt, or when did we become so dependent on plastics), and also cultivated continued interest in the natural sciences. Also, at 114 pages of mostly pictures, it's perfect for a palette cleanser, or a magazine rack standard.
May 21, 2021
One of the best pop science books I've ever read. It's a shame that it's banned.
November 22, 2023
A short, quick and lovely read.
I simply enjoyed the book despite being familiar with most of the information presented in it.
It’s a good book for people who don’t know much about chemistry.
I simply enjoyed the book despite being familiar with most of the information presented in it.
It’s a good book for people who don’t know much about chemistry.
April 6, 2012
الكتاب لـ: روبرت برينت و رسوم : هاري لازورس ..
معظم التجارب الموجوده فى الكتاب مُصنفة حالياً كـ"خطيرة و لا تناسب الأطفال بدون رقابة" ، ول م يعد يباع حالياً ككتاب اطفال بل و مُرحّص ""فقط"" بوجود 126 نسخة فى المكتبات العامة فى العالم كله للراشدين !
الكتاب كان مصدر الهام لـ "ديفيد هان" المعروف بلإسم "فتي الكشافة المُشّع" لمحاولاته بناء نموذج لمفاعل نووي ( تم احباط المحاولة طبعاً بواسطة الحكومة الأمريكية) ، و هو ايضاً صاحب المجموعه التى ضم فيها عينات من كل العناصر الكميائية فى العالم !!
الكتاب مُسلي .. و انا شخصياً وجدته كتاب مناسب لطلبة كليات العلوم فى السنة الأولي مثلاً ، ليس اكثر !
لكنه شيق و حتماً مُفيد لهواة العلوم التجريبية ^_^
اخيراً : لو وضعت نسخة pdf للتحميل على الجودريدز مباشرةً
تحميل من هنا ^_^
have fun ^_^
معظم التجارب الموجوده فى الكتاب مُصنفة حالياً كـ"خطيرة و لا تناسب الأطفال بدون رقابة" ، ول م يعد يباع حالياً ككتاب اطفال بل و مُرحّص ""فقط"" بوجود 126 نسخة فى المكتبات العامة فى العالم كله للراشدين !
الكتاب كان مصدر الهام لـ "ديفيد هان" المعروف بلإسم "فتي الكشافة المُشّع" لمحاولاته بناء نموذج لمفاعل نووي ( تم احباط المحاولة طبعاً بواسطة الحكومة الأمريكية) ، و هو ايضاً صاحب المجموعه التى ضم فيها عينات من كل العناصر الكميائية فى العالم !!
الكتاب مُسلي .. و انا شخصياً وجدته كتاب مناسب لطلبة كليات العلوم فى السنة الأولي مثلاً ، ليس اكثر !
لكنه شيق و حتماً مُفيد لهواة العلوم التجريبية ^_^
اخيراً : لو وضعت نسخة pdf للتحميل على الجودريدز مباشرةً
تحميل من هنا ^_^
have fun ^_^
April 21, 2022
Hardcover copies of this one tend to be highly expensive, as it was not reprinted as often as other Golden Press books. Some of the experiments were a little controversial and the book was pulled from libraries and store shelves in some places. There are various scanned and PDF copies floating about on line. I own a hardcover copy, but I am a collector and I'm not so sure I would give this book to a child.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews