Here is a sample of chemistry-related books that are new to Gleeson Library. To view additional titles, see New Chemistry Books on the library website.
The Beauty of Chemistry: Art, Wonder, and Science
“The Beauty of Chemistry” showcases the stunning visual aspects of chemical processes in nature and everyday life through captivating images and text. Using advanced photography techniques, the book reveals the hidden beauty in phenomena like snowflake formation, bubble creation, and flame combustion. It demonstrates how chemistry underpins natural wonders, from flower colors to galaxy formation, as well as common processes like bread-baking and material production. The book offers a unique perspective on chemistry, presenting it not just as a study of microscopic atoms, but as the foundation of the visible world around us, bringing to light the aesthetic marvels of scientific processes.
Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium
“Half Lives” by Lucy Jane Santos explores radium’s captivating history, from its discovery to its widespread use in early 20th-century consumer products. The book details how radium became a desirable commodity, featured in items ranging from dance costumes to beauty treatments. Santos examines the element’s rise as a supposed cure-all and its subsequent fall from grace as its dangers became apparent. Through a blend of scientific facts and cultural anecdotes, the author presents a unique perspective on how radium’s perceived benefits and eventual risks shaped both scientific understanding and popular culture.
The Scientific Legacy of Har Gobind Khorana: Total Synthesis and the Genetic Code
Har Gobind Khorana’s scientific biography traces his remarkable journey from rural poverty in India to becoming a Nobel Prize-winning chemist in the United States. The book chronicles his education in Britain and Switzerland, followed by his career in Canada and the US. It details Khorana’s groundbreaking achievements, including deciphering the genetic code, synthesizing the first functional gene, contributing to PCR technology, and studying the structure-function relationship of biological macromolecules in membranes. The biography emphasizes Khorana’s unwavering dedication to science and explores his enduring legacy, offering inspiration for future generations of scientists.
Symphony in C: Carbon and the Evolution of (Almost) Everything
An earth scientist reveals the dynamic biography of the most resonant—and most necessary—chemical element on Earth. Carbon. It’s in the fibers in your hair, the timbers in your walls, the food that you eat, and the air that you breathe. It’s worth billions of dollars as a luxury and half a trillion as a necessity, but there are still mysteries about the element that can be both diamond and coal. Where does it come from, what does it do, and why, above all, does life need it? With poetic storytelling, Robert M. Hazen leads us on a global journey through the origin and evolution of life’s most essential and ubiquitous element.
Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea
Tea is the world’s most popular beverage. Dive into a cup of tea with a chemist and discover the rich molecular brew that can be extracted from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Tea contains over a hundred different chemical compounds which contribute to its colour, taste and scent—and its stimulating effects. The best-known is caffeine, but how does caffeine end up in tea and how can you get it out? Beginning with the leaves, Steeped explores the chemistry behind different styles of tea, from green teas to pu-erh. It tackles the age-old question of when, or even whether, to add milk. And it puts the chemistry to use with advice on how to brew a better cup.
The Chemical Biology of Nitrogen
“The Chemical Biology of Nitrogen” explores the pivotal role of nitrogen in biological processes, from DNA to proteins. This comprehensive work adopts a chemocentric approach, examining both inorganic and organic nitrogen compounds and their impact on various biological functions. The book begins with an introduction to nitrogen trivalency and progresses through inorganic and organic nitrogen metabolism, culminating in nitrogen proteomics. It offers an integrative perspective on nitrogen’s diverse biological roles, making it valuable for researchers in chemical biology and nitrogen metabolism. Written by a distinguished scientist and educator, this text is particularly suitable for advanced students and postgraduates in biochemistry and chemical biology.
The Chemical Age: How Chemists Fought Famine and Disease, Killed Millions, and Changed Our Relationship with the Earth
“The Chemical Age” by Frank A. von Hippel chronicles humanity’s complex relationship with pesticides. From combating the 1840s potato blight to Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” in the 1960s, the book explores how scientists developed chemicals to fight famine and disease. While these innovations shaped the modern world and protected crops, they also led to unintended consequences, damaging health and threatening species. Von Hippel’s narrative highlights the thrilling discoveries and complex outcomes of pesticide use, tracing their evolution from crop protection to wartime weapons, and finally to widespread environmental application, sparking crucial ecological awareness.
The Chemical Biology of Phosphorus
“The Chemical Biology of Phosphorus” explores the fundamental role of phosphorus in life processes. Nobel laureate Alexander Todd’s statement, “where there is life, there is phosphorus,” underscores its importance. The book delves into phosphorus chemistry in biological systems, examining how inorganic phosphate and its derivatives are crucial for RNA and DNA structure, ATP production, and various cellular functions. Written by a renowned biochemist, it offers a comprehensive chemical approach to understanding phosphorus’s significance in biology. This work is valuable for students and researchers in biochemistry, particularly those interested in phosphate metabolites, bioenergetics, and phosphoproteomics.
Spinach on the Ceiling: The Multifaceted Life of a Theoretical Chemist
Martin Karplus, a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, recounts his journey from fleeing Nazi-occupied Austria as a child to becoming a renowned scientist in “Spinach on the Ceiling.” The autobiography details pivotal moments in his life, including his refugee experience, early fascination with science, education, and career across various institutions. Karplus attributes his success to an optimistic outlook and unwavering belief in his vision, which allowed him to overcome setbacks and transform a controversial research subject into a cornerstone of chemistry and structural biology. The book also explores his passions for photography and cooking, offering a multifaceted view of the scientist’s life.
What Is a Chemical Element?: A Collection of Essays by Chemists, Philosophers, Historians, and Educators
“What Is A Chemical Element?” explores the ongoing debate surrounding the definition of chemical elements. Despite IUPAC’s dual definitions—one abstract and one operational—the concept’s philosophical aspects remain elusive. This book, edited by Eric Scerri and Elena Ghibaudi, brings together experts to examine the topic from epistemological, historical, and educational perspectives. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current discourse, addressing the fundamental question of what constitutes a chemical element. The work aims to bridge the gap in understanding for researchers, philosophers, educators, and anyone interested in the periodic table’s elements.
Book summaries composed with AI-assistance.