Organic Chemistry As a Second Language: First Semester Topics

Organic Chemistry as a Second Language #1

by David R. Klein

Readers continue to turn to Klein's Organic Chemistry as a Second Language: First Semester Topics, 4th Edition because it enables them to better understand fundamental principles, solve problems, and focus on what they need to know to succeed. This edition explores the major principles in the field and explains why they are relevant. It is written in a way that clearly shows the patterns in organic chemistry so that readers can gain a deeper conceptual understanding of the material. Topics are presented clearly in an accessible writing style along with numerous hands-on problem solving exercises.

Genres: Science, Chemistry, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Reference, Academic

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Always Pouting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful, clearly laid out the concepts and was interactive so I got some practice doing the problems too. Made it less confusing by going through everything systematically and then summarizing what the take away should be at the end of the each section. The only annoying thing was having to do the elimination chapter on my own, I bought the book to help me study and I prefer the person tell me what I need to know so then I can just practice it. Still super helpful though

[cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

“let’s compare organic chemistry to a game of chess” a statement you should have totally lead with rather than waiting until the very last page to get me excited. 100000/10 where would I be without this book I don’t know. in the wise words of Taylor Swift, checkmate, I couldn’t lose ‼️

[Addison Lampe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to finish my reading goal so I’m posting the book that took up all of my free reading time 😵‍💫😵‍💫. This guy is great tho and he got me to pass the class!!!!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extremely helpful in my first semester of chemistry. The first half of the book was much more helpful than the second half. At first I thought the way the author wrote it was kind of amusing.. then it just got annoying. All in all definately worth it.

[Katie Ann Huy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow explains chemistry in a way that conveys the beauty and simplicity of the science

[Fadilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love you klein you are a genius

[bookstore_assassin · Rating 5 out of 5]

You bet I've read this book cover to cover...

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent for strengthening fundamentals, definitely not a viable replacement for the text.

[Ivan Olmos · Rating 4 out of 5]

not your traditional textbook. definitely helpful (especially when you don’t understand your professor’s slides). wish me luck on my midterm tomorrow.

[Naina]

congrats to this book for being the first to make me cry in 2025!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not exactly what I expected, but was interesting and provided a good foundation for understand OC. Lots of memorization that probably required for a college student, but because I only had a passing interest, I did a lot of flipping back and forth to work problems in some chapters. The concepts, not being a science guru, were sometimes needed rereading of chapters, sometimes three rereads to grasp the concepts. I feel that after a casual reading that I have a good grasp and would not have any problems if I were to take an OC class.

[Stella poopypants · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the reason I’m doing well in orgo so far. It is my best friend, my support system, my favorite little puzzle book <3
The only downside is I finished it, but the block isn’t over so I don’t know what I’m gonna do for the rest of the content we still have???? Help?!????

[Lindsey White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my life and I'm only on the 3rd chapter. I am now excited about (vs terrified of) O-Chem.

[Luiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

God bless this marvelous book.
I owe my first semester in organic chemistry to you <3 baby <3
<3
<3<3
<3<3<3

[Ray L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first sections of this book in like the week before I began my O-chem course this semester and found them extremely helpful in building me a foundation and getting me comfortable with resonance and mechanisms, etc. It is formatted in an accessible way and all of the concepts are presented in a way that is easy to understand (especially compared to your textbook).

My advice for making the most of this: read it, take your notes on it, but most importantly take advantage of all of the practice problems which are excellently explained and planned. Then, go through your assigned textbook and take extra notes on the content this skips over AND complete the practice problems in your textbook, which are more complicated/specific/advanced applications of the concepts this book covers. It’s a lot, but you will feel very comfortable on your tests.

My course deviated from this book right around when it starts to go into electron geometry, and I wasn’t able to keep up with both and didn’t find it quite as helpful there. I came back later and did some of the chapters on reactions, and found it somewhat helpful, but not as helpful as the first few chapters were.

Overall, I recommend this book if you want to build a solid understanding of chemistry and be confident on your tests.

[Nattox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit outdated, as it recommends photocopying certain pages for practice, but the concepts are well explained. Naturally the first half was a quicker read than the second half, but the concepts built on each other pretty well. I wish there had been a bit more repetition for people who didn’t read the book all in a day or two.

[sbs transit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable
But in the end, it's right
I hope you had the time of your life

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is designed to be used along with a chemistry course.
This is not meant to teach someone chemistry on its own.

[Steven Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful and helped me pass the class

[Noah Beckage · Rating 5 out of 5]

You WILL learn organic chemistry. Don't forget 2nd semester topics though!

[Zayn Lateef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems pretty dope I’m ngl. We’ll see how I do in the course. If I fail I’m changing this to a one star 😡🤬🤬. We go brazy then this book is god tier. Bless up 😤

[Lilly Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE book to read to understand organic chemistry. not comprehensive, but simply teaches the main concepts so the text books actually make sense. got me an A in MIT organic chemistry

[Amy Gusewelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ASTONISHINGLY helpful. Way better than the book that went along with my class. Why the hell wasn’t I using this one from day one.

[Yvonne]

CHEM 322A
this book is actually helpful
doesn't have everything, but is a great start

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for those who want to get extra practice problems. The explanations are to the point and Klein does a great job of going through and thoroughly explaining the material covered over the course. Problems are embedded within the material so you're practicing as you learn. Additional problems are found at the end of chapters to synthesize information covered in the chapter. Answers with explanations for all (yes all) problems are included at the back of the book. Can't recommend enough for those taking organic chemistry 1.

[Stuart Woolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This is the second book I have read about organic chemistry - and I must say, this one was a lot better than the first. David Klein's intent is to help readers build intuition behind the subject and he does a very good job of doing just that.

Really, the first 9 chapters of this book are very good. My only issue is with the last 4 chapters, which are unfortunately pretty useless: for whatever reason, Klein switches gears and basically says, "Well, I've taught you how to think about substitution and elimination reactions, so use these blank pages to copy down the additional mechanisms you can find in any other chemistry text and commit them to memory." It's very bizarre, especially because Klein has a gift for explaining this stuff. My theory is, he was getting sick of writing the book or maybe didn't have time for it: seriously, the last 4 chapters probably took a single weekend to write.

I may read the sequel. More of the same, I'm guessing.

[Mary Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took Organic Chemistry 1 in an accelerated five week session and I barely had time to read the actual textbook to get the information I needed to understand the material. This guide cut everything that was unnecessary and cut to exactly what was crucial to the reactions and mechanisms we needed to thoroughly comprehend. I HIGHLY recommend this supplement to the textbook. It has sample problems also that proved very useful. I would almost say that it could replace the textbook and solutions manual but there are just aren't enough problems to practice in this text alone which make the full textbook and solution manual necessary. Unlike the solutions manual, this short guide does NOT provide explanations alongside the answer keys.

[Chequita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply genius. Don't take an organic chemistry class without taking this book with you. All of the concepts are explained in layman's terms and there are practice problems to help with further understanding the material. I absolutely adore this book and it is a great supplement to any organic class. Happy studying!

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hands down the most helpful book I bought for Organic Chemistry. Literally a lifesaver. This explains concepts in ways that my textbook did not illustrate. It is very explicit and visual with corresponding worksheets inside to quiz yourself. The worksheets were more helpful than my actual assigned homework for Honors Organic Chemistry 1.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

*2021 Around the Year Reading Challenge*
Prompt #47: A nonfiction book other than a biography, autobiography or memoir

Counting this book for my reading challenges because, contrary to how it looks, this book was not required reading and I picked it up a few months ago to gain some more understanding to a subject I like but never fully understood.