3 comments about Microscale Inorganic Chemistry: A Comprehensive Laboratory Experience.

1. This is a wonderful combination of some simple chemistry experiments that allow students (such as myself) to gain insight into the experimental world of inorganic chemistry. The laboratory experiments are real, interesting, and also allow the student to think about what is happening, and to apply their knowledge to taking the experiments to a further level. This is an excellent book, and probably the best source available for inorganic experiments for undergrads.



2. This is a good introductory inorganic test. It does a great job explaining procedure and theory in the first few chapters.
   
   Some of the end of chapter questions are esoteric, especially the literature search ones.
   
   The biggest problem is that some of the lab procedures give poor yields when applied. The procedure should be cross-referenced to make sure that it gives the best yield.



3. I've used this lab manual for a microscale inorganic laboratory course for about a dozen years. There is a nice selection of experiments which cover most of the basics appropriate for a senior-level course. But the reviewer who comments on the reaction yields is right. Some of the yields are so poor that I maintain commercial samples of the products so that students will have something to characterize. I have even written the authors with questions about improving yields in some of the experiments, but received few suggestions for improvements. Also, very few of the experiments take the students through reasonable purification steps for the products (I suppose because the yields are so low). But there are few competing inorganic lab manuals, and none that I am aware of for working at microscale.

5 comments about Snow Crystals (Dover Photography Collections).

1. W.A. Bentley spent fifty years painstakingly recording snowflakes, frost, rime, sleet and ice in all its forms. Even before "Snow Crystals" was published in 1931, his work was well known, and so popular that eventually a donor provided the (apparently large) amount of money needed to assemble this beautiful collection.

   There is a small amount of text at the front of the book, which is moderately interesting. It contains a description of how to take these pictures for yourself, if you'd like to; and a classification of the kinds of snowflake and other ice forms depicted here. The bulk of the book, however, is made up of well over two thousand black and white photographs, the vast majority of them of single snowflakes. You can get an idea of what they look like by clicking on Amazon's image of the cover picture, above; in the book, the images are white on black. You may also want to visit snowflakebentley.com, which contains more examples, and more information about Bentley himself (there is almost none in this book). In most or all cases, Bentley went to the trouble of making a duplicate negative of each snowflake and then cutting out, by hand, the finely detailed image, so that the background to the picture would be pure black.

   The results are spectacular. The snowflakes are ethereally beautiful, and the variety is just stunning. However, in case it's not clear from what I've said so far, this is a contemplative book. It's not a book to read: it's a book to browse through, put away, and get out again another snowy day. Children will like it, but just to glance at, not to go through steadily.

   Recommended.




2. I love this book because it gives me a unique feeling of spiritual unity each time I open it. It may be that you will appreciate it for different reasons, but for me, it is a graphic reminder that there is a creative and benign intelligence moving the Universe. Originally published in 1931 this unique book contains 202 black and white plates of snow flakes mounted and photographed with painstaking effort under difficult circumstances by W.A. Bentley aka Snowflake Bentley. Maybe you won't want to sit down and look at each and every one because, of course, they are nearly all the same even though each one is unique, but that's another reason I like the book. It demonstrates so simply and eloquently the unity in diversity.
   The photographs are very beautiful and they will be interesting to anyone who is fascinated with weather or with graphics in art, perhaps for textile patterns or silk-screen ideas. The images are copyright free and you can use up to ten of them without fees, permission, or acknowledgement.
   There is a very small amount of text at the beginning of this book that tells about the different kinds of snow crystals and a little bit about how the work to capture them on film was done. There is one nice photograph of Bentley at his camera which is charming, but for the most part, this book is dedicated to the snow crystals themselves. Anyone who has stood outside on a cold, crisp snowy day and caught snow crsytals on an upturned mitten and marveled at their exquisite beauty will enjoy this book. The crystals speak volumes and we have Mr. Bentley to thank for cummunicating their message to us.



3. This book is a collection of some of W. A. Bentley's finest snowflake photographs. At the beginning of the book is a 20-page introduction to the photography and science of snowflakes (as of 1930). The photographic advice is more of value today as historical documentation about how the pictures were taken- -we no longer use photographic plates or develop and fix our own negatives. The scientific section consists mostly of descriptive and classificatory commentary, with relatively little in the way of explanation as to why the snowflakes take on the shapes that they do. Some of the commentary cites specific plates as examples. The real value of the book is in the plates themselves- -two hundred pages of high-quality black and white photographs, depicting over two thousand differently shaped snowflakes. A reader could spend many hours poring over the magical snowflakes. In looking through the plates, it becomes clear quite quickly that Bentley was a man of genius and dedication.



4. In case you are trying to decide between "Snowflakes in Photographs" and "Snow Crystals", both by Bentley and published by Dover, this book is the better deal. Ironically, you get twice as many snowflake photos in "Snow Crystals" than in "Snowflakes in Photographs". Both beautiful books feature stunning black and white photographs of snowflakes but this book definitely has better 'text' support. I bought the two books at the same time thinking that this one focused more on Bentley and the other one focused more on the pictures, but it was a mistake. This is a case of "you get what you pay for" and the only reason to buy "Snowflakes in Photographs" over this one is that it is a bit cheaper. Buy "Snow Crystals", it is a blizzard of beauty with gorgeous photographs of snowflakes, nature's fragile crystalline miracles.



5. Snow Crystals by Bentley represents the exhilarating beauty and complexity of snowflakes in photographs taken with painstaking effort and enterprise. The book has a very useful introduction, though most of it is devoted to the diverse patterns exhibited by snowflakes. The quest to understand why snowflakes have their delightful shape and symmetry has intrigued the scientists, poets and philosophers for centuries. For example, in sixteenth century, Kepler's essay (On six-cornered snowflake) presents a very illuminating (and perhaps first scientific) account of his thought process on the physics of why snowflake is formed. He discussed several key ideas relevant to packing problems, and on their shapes, and the book by Bentley surely dazzles in being able to present a diverse range of possibilities realized by nature. Highly recommended to science enthusiasts, artists, photographers and atmospheric physicists.

3 comments about Concepts and Models of Inorganic Chemistry.

1. This is a nice book about inorganic chemistry



2. "Concepts and Meodels of Inorganic Chemistry" is neither an encyclopedia of descriptive inorganic chemistry nor a textbook of structural inorganic chemistry. The book is organized into six major parts: Basic concepts, bonding structure, chemical reactions, coordination chemistry, organmetallic chemistry, and selected topics.

   This text distincts itself from Cotton's "Basic Inorganic Chemistry", Shriver's "Inorganic Chemistry", and Misseler & Tarr by the amount of information and details presented in each chapter. Inoformation regarding chemical reactions is presented within a framework of concepts and models that help readers organize and retrieve chemical knowledge. Descriptive chemistry is woven into almost all chapters and is the subject of special topics chapters.

   Atomic and molecular structure, symmetry and bonding are discussed n very thorough and detailed manner. Almost all the topics in DeKock and Gray's "Chemical Structure and Bonding" are included in this volume. Topics that are usually discussed briefly or omitted altogether in many inorganic chemistry texts are given special attention: stereochemistry models, spectra and bonding, and inorganic mechanisms. Section on organometallic chemistry can serve as an ideal supplement for an organic course. "Concepts and Models of Inorganic Chemistry" will suit a two-semester inorganic chemistry sequence. While no major texts can cover all the topics in bonding and structure, main group elements, transition metals and spectra, this text has fulfilled all the above purpose. The text is written in a more advanced level than Shriver and Cotton.




3. "Concepts and Meodels of Inorganic Chemistry" is neither an encyclopedia of descriptive inorganic chemistry nor a textbook of structural inorganic chemistry. The book is organized into six major parts: Basic concepts, bonding structure, chemical reactions, coordination chemistry, organmetallic chemistry, and selected topics.

   This text distincts itself from Cotton's "Basic Inorganic Chemistry", Shriver's "Inorganic Chemistry", and Misseler & Tarr by the amount of information and details presented in each chapter. Inoformation regarding chemical reactions is presented within a framework of concepts and models that help readers organize and retrieve chemical knowledge. Descriptive chemistry is woven into almost all chapters and is the subject of special topics chapters.

   Atomic and molecular structure, symmetry and bonding are discussed n very thorough and detailed manner. Almost all the topics in DeKock and Gray's "Chemical Structure and Bonding" are included in this volume. Topics that are usually discussed briefly or omitted altogether in many inorganic chemistry texts are given special attention: stereochemistry models, spectra and bonding, and inorganic mechanisms. Section on organometallic chemistry can serve as an ideal supplement for an organic course. "Concepts and Models of Inorganic Chemistry" will suit a two-semester inorganic chemistry sequence. While no major texts can cover all the topics in bonding and structure, main group elements, transition metals and spectra, this text has fulfilled all the above purpose. The text is written in a more advanced level than Shriver and Cotton. Well-written book!

1 comments about Biological Inorganic Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity.

1. I get sick of hearing about chemical evolution as if it is the only way life can exist, they never point out the extreme unlikelyhood of the theory, or even that it is a theory. I wouldn't complain since most science texts that venture a guess about origins yields similar speculation, but this book really beats you over the head with it.
   Otherwise, the compilation of authors is great, and the scope of the text is very applicable once you get to actual data that can be measured.

3 comments about Gems of Wisdom, Gems of Power: A Practical Guide to How Gemstones, Minerals and Crystals Can Enhance Your Life.

1. Clear, concise and engaging...Kennedy's insight into the world of crystals and gemstones is engaging and informative. Illustrated with great 4-color photos for readers to easily identify stones in their natural state, the book is a winner. Lots of history, lots of research and lots of insight that crystal lovers won't want to miss. There are quite a few crystal books out there, but this is definitely THE one to own for anybody who wants to learn about the qualities of crystals and minerals and why they have enchanted us for centuries. I love this book! Kudos!



2. Teresa Kennedy has written a book with very good, clear and practical information addressing both mystical and scientific aspects of crystals and gemstones. The book is divided into sections such as "The Love Stones" "Stones of protection ", "Stones for physical healing ", etc., with some stones occurring in more than one of the nine categories. This is an extremely useful book for a beginner and will be a valuable addition to any crystal library.
   I have over 50 crystal healing books and have written quite a bit about crystal healing myself. This book is one I'll recommend highly. There is no perfect crystal healing book and there probably never will be, but this is one of the best I have seen yet. I practice different styles of crystal healing and use some more intuitive methods than the author, so a few of my personal recommendations might be different. This is a very good book and if you can get only one book about crystals, this is the one I'd suggest. This book has relatively little information about detailed methods of working with crystals but that is probably an asset. The Author gives sound advice and guidance based on her experience and allows the reader to determine the way they will work with the stones. Each stone entry has a color photograph of the stone. This book could be very useful for helping someone choose stones to work with for specific purposes.This is a very solid guide with a lot for both beginners and as a reference for more advanced practitioners.



3. Obviously a great number of books of crystals have appeared in the last twenty years since the resurgence of interest in crystal healing occurred in the early 1980s. Therefore when a new title comes along which clarities existing knowledge, has a pleasing layout, and includes large clear photographs of each specimen, then it warrants inclusion on the bookshelf of any stone enthusiast or healer. However, when it goes beyond meticulous organization of information and ease of use, and also has its information presented by a level headed narrator with pleasing tone and seems to offer just the right amount of information on each stone, it just may be the book you find yourself reaching for first.
   
   Starting with the premise that her readers are intelligent, reasonably open-minded and interested in the practical application of the stones into their lives, Teresa quickly establishes a down-to-earth sensibility that encourages a combination approach to the use of stones. She advocates understanding stones from a structural as well spiritual perspective before selecting your healing stones. She also includes a lot of very practical advice in highlighted in pink "Buyer Beware" sections so that you stand the best chance of avoiding some of the inferior or inauthentic merchandise that is on the market.
   
   The layout of the book undertakes to guide the reader quickly to the correct stone by arranging the stones into categories such as "love stones" or "stones of transformation" so you can find what you need quickly. If you already have a stone or a specific idea of the stone you would like, no problem -- there is an extensive index at the back.
   Reviewed by Megan Mitchell

No comments about Microstructural Characterization of Materials.

5 comments about Crystallography Made Crystal Clear, Third Edition : A Guide for Users of Macromolecular Models (Complementary Science).

1. When it comes to this field of research, you get two types of references: (1) the 2-5 page quick intro that leaves you with the most basic overview of crystallography and (2) the 'hard core' books that go into such detail as to leave you breathless. This book is, in my opinion, the best transition book.

   For non-crystallographers, this book will teach enough about crystallography to allow you to read crystal structure articles and understand what is meant by all of the used statistics and such.

   For apprentice crystallographers, this is a wonderful intro into the field. Master the book, then move on to harder books to master it.

   Highly recommended. I still go back to it, when I teach people, to help me explain in the way that Gale Rhodes does!




2. This is the best introduction to crystallography I have ever come across. Which is quite an achievement, because its a difficult subject to understand. In crystallography, its very rare to find a book which does not deal with either a totally descriptive approach or a totally mathematical approach. Rhodes' book bridges the gap between the two and gives the reader the right dose of jargon and explanation. He illustrates every point with plenty of figures as well as real life computer models of proteins. Before I came across this book, I was struggling and failing to understand Isomorphous Replacement, MAD, Solvent Flattening, Maps and Models, as well as the iterative refining of models. I think no other book comes even close to this book in explaining all these concepts in simple format. This, I think is as clear as it can get without becoming oversimplified. A must have for all researchers and students whose work is even remotely connected to crystallography.



3. This book is a good one. Explains every aspect I always want to know about crystallography. In my first class of biochemistry I discover that I really like the macromolecular models, but my biochemistry book doesn't content much information about this subjet. When I discover this book I bought it, and read it, and I must to say that this book explain every aspect of the process of create a molecular model.
   After read this book I thinking about to become a crystallographer.



4. Crystallography Made Crystal Clear does clearly explain the principles of X-ray Crystallography. I used this book for a graduate class in introductory x-ray crystallography when I deemed that the assigned book for the class, Principles of Protein X-Ray Crystallography, unhelpful.
   
   Crystallography Made Crystal Clear presents the theory behind crystallography in the most straightforward way possible. Whenever possible, concepts are explained in words and by examples instead of with equations. This elimates derivations that are not necessary to understand key concepts.
   
   Although explanations in the book are clear, they are often too brief. The book also does not have any practice problems, which is a major drawback. If you are taking a crystallography class, I would take a look at this book but focus more heavily on the lecture notes and problems from class. Honestly, I haven't found a really good crystallography book, but this one at least is not too confusing.



5. The delivery was prompt and in the item was in an excellent condition

No comments about A Guide to Customer Service Skills for the Help Desk Professional, Second Edition.

3 comments about Water Chemistry.

1. This book includes the properties of water, introduction to and application of thermodynamics and kinetics, acid-base chemistry, complexation chemistry, precipitation and dissolution, and redox chemistry in water.

   The book is not recommended for an undergraduate level, it is hard to follow for a beginner. It is fairly old, published 1980, so it doesn't have current topics in environmental water chemistry, but it does cover the basics which are important to know.

   The problems at the end of each chapter are fairly difficult.




2. While the level of difficulty compared to other class textbooks is higher, it provides a real world examples of problems environmental engineers find in their field. This book will suit better as a reference book for undergraduate and a textbook for graduate students, it goes beyond the classic theoretical solutions. One of the authors is a professor in a very good university in California. You may find this fact very important because many of the theories, formulas and conclusions that are being used in the industry are contained in this book, and have been derived from doctoral work by Ph.D. candidates at that University. You may want to keep this book as a reference after you have finished your graduate school. Every environmental engineer or scientists must have a copy of this book. Believe me! We used this book at the LMU Graduate Program.



3. I used this book as an alternate text for a graduate level course in chemical hydrogeology. This was by far the best textbook I used. The class text and most others that I used were qualitative texts. This book presents a quantitative approach to equilibrium chemistry. This definately helped clear up several topics and is full of plenty of examples. At the end of the chapters there are suggestions for additional reading and many practice problems. The authors present cchemical kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base reactions, coordination chemistry, precipitation and dissolution, and redox reactions. This book is definately helpful as it goes through many problems step-by-step and is very instructive.

5 comments about Basic Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd Edition.

1. The buyer of this book may be mislead by its description. This is not the softcover edition of Basic Inorganic Chemistry, but the Solutions Manual for Basic Inorganic Chemistry. It is virtually useless without the pricey hardcover companion text. I would not recommend it unless you already own the companion text.



2. This textbook is written in an easy to follow matter unlike other inorganic textbooks in the market that is harder to understand.It gives good examples for an introductory course especially for first year University students.The only downside is that, advanced concepts are not or insufficiently discussed.But in the Advanced Inorganic Chemistry textbook by the same author,these concepts are discussed in more depth. I would recommend that any student who is interesed in inorganic chemistry should get both the basic inorganic and advanced inorganic textbooks .With these two books you should have no problem understanding the wide topic of inorganic chemistry.By using an introductory and an advanced text, the student is slowly introduced to the topic.Instead of being thrown headon into reading and understanding a single inorganic chemistry book



3. Presents a good overview on most of the elements. The basic edition is realy the same as the Advanced edition but with some of the Transition Metal stuff tossed out... I wouldn't buy the Adv. Edition, unless the school was shoving it down my throat... Not that this is bad, but I think that there are WAY WAY WAY better books on the subject of Trz. Complexes and Mechanisms (Spessard comes to mind in the fantastic "Organometallic Chemistry"). It is undeniable that FA Cotton can really write well and that the man is a genius on the subject, hell the guy lived through the glory years of Inorganic, but the book never really shows people what really happens mechanistically in the book... Everything is presented in an encyclopedic fashion, which sometimes makes things ambiguous... I think that this is a landmark of a book, but one that is really a first reference on a particular subject...



4. I had the first edition of this book as a student and used it my first years teaching inorganic chemistry before I tried other books. The reason I left this text to try others is that there is just so much information here and not the best organization for the order in which I teach inorganic. However, that being said, I am now returning to this classic from Cotton, Wilkinson & Gaus. The main reason being I had fewer student complaints about the text when I used this book vs. the others. As other reviewers mentioned, the text is encyclopedic! And you end up jumping around to find what you want; however, Cotton et al. has the most complete volume for the undergraduate & beginning graduate course, so that you can pick & choose what you want to cover without much problem. For those with a descriptive bent, there are many descriptive chemistry chapters. For others who have a bit more physical inorganic bent, there is good coverage of those topics. I've used texts on both ends of the spectrum, and I found they only pleased a small portion of the students, while others struggled. This book has everything you want in a beginning course, and more (!) while being flexible enough that you can design your own course by picking chapters to cover. Finally, for the student, it is an excellent reference to keep for the future.



5. I had this book for Inorganic I at Northern Illinois University.
   
   While it did a good job of describing the chemistry of the various groups, it did a poor job of systematizing reactions (such as classifying them as Lewis Acid/Base or Hard Acid/Base reactions.
   
   It had a good explanation of VSEPR but totally botched MO theory.
   
   A decent text. I hope better ones exist.