[Closed] Chemistry for beginners books?

Can't think of any off the top of my head that would be readable.

I'd stay clear of text books as they are not normally very readable.

If it's general science that interests then then maybe the Bill Bryson book (A brief history of everything) might be of interest. Some historical chemistry in there rather than factual.

My only other suggestion would be to see if new scientist has published anything. Their books are often quite good.

Good website here [url= http://www.practicalchemistry.org/ ]clickage[/url]

My GCSE's and A level were on the Nuffield Curriculum the text books from those (mid eighties) were very accessible..

I'd start with a GCSE chemistry book as they are designed to be easy to understand, and build upon an assumed knowledge of nothing. Then work up...

It'll take a couple of years hard study before he'll be able to synthesise his own designer drugs.

Start with Chemistry for You it's a GCSE text book. Gives a good solid background. Not namby pamby new age GCSE either

Then it all depends on what his interests are - Organic or Inorganic.

Lots of good basic level organic chemistry books around, can't remember off the top of my head, but I used to use one from 1930's or so when I first started, it was simple and I was able to get my head around what I needed for school.

Ta for the suggestions. I think it's Inorganic that'd be more relevant to his interests.

It'll take a couple of years hard study before he'll be able to synthesise his own designer drugs

😆

They have some very basic knowledge, such as elements and compounds, and having chatted to 'em, they also have some understanding of the periodic table...They've got an interest in Geology and forensic/archaeological science type stuff - they've been asking me all sorts of stuff about different techniques of chemical analysis, basic and acid rocks etc etc. (think a good chemistry book would really help 'em out!...er...and me!!!)

i'd get them something that focusses on their interests rather than some dull, probably dumbed down, general chemistry book. Most basic chemistry books will have one very basic chapter on "crystal structures" (geology) and probably very little about realistic methods of chemical analysis actually in use for mineral analysis. A good "mineral analysis" book would potentially be readable by anyone - and may not assume a chemical background.

http://www.binsearch.info/?q=chemistry+books&max=100&adv_age=900&server=

The OCR (I think thats who publishes them, they look like comics) GCSE and A-level revision books could probably teach you the entire sylabus in an afternoon with some prior knowlage or a week maybe with none.

Not worth geting into specifics untill your at least past the a-level stage as its not utill then that it really gets detailed. Put it this way, the a-level course is sumarized in the first week or two of my uni lecture notes, and the pace didn't really drop from there for 3 years!

Organic - Drugs
Inorganic - Crystals (mainly)
Physical - Thermodynamics (and other things, mainly fairly basic [well, A-level and a bit more] maths and physics)

The OCR (I think thats who publishes them, they look like comics) GCSE and A-level revision books could probably teach you the entire sylabus in an afternoon with some prior knowlage or a week maybe with none.

Load of crap OCR stuff, absolute guff.

As far as I know, OU give you all the required textbooks as part of the cost. Was certainly the case when I did a degree with them, although that wasn't chemistry. Most chemistry textbooks are a bit boring to read, but they all do generally start off with a couple of chapters of chemistry basics. As mentioned above, a [i]sensible[/i] GCSE book should be enough to get started with.

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/richard+walugere/titus+tayebwa/uganda+chemistry3a+students27+book+s1+26+s2/6068727/