It’s Elemental: The Hidden Chemistry in Everything

In an attempt to make chemistry more appealing to the general public, Kate Biberdorf, a chemistry professor at the University of Texas, has put together a primer on the elemental basic makeup of chemistry. The beginning chapters verbally cover the fundamental organization of matter covering the basic chemistry of atoms, their physical states, and how chemical bonds break to form chemical reactions. Outside of a visual periodic table, no figures or diagrams are used to illustrate any of the wordy explanations. The remainder of the book, again without any graphic assistance, while amply using chemical terminology, the science of the chemicals in our food, bodily hormones, cleaning agents, polymers in cooling devices, sex pheromones, and other life aspects are sketchily outlined. While the author radiates enthusiasm for her subject, that of popularizing science as part of everyday life, unfortunately, this approach will appeal less to the general reader than to those already familiar with the subject. The contents of this book would come across more successfully in the format of docs-graphic publication, with pictorial and diagrammatic assists for the lay reader.