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Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity, 3rd ed. John C. Kotz and Paul Treichel, Jr. Saunders: Fort Worth, TX, 1996. xxxii + 1121 pp + appendices. Figs. and tables. 22.4 x 26.2 cm.
The two textbooks discussed in this review are both fine general chemistry texts, designed for mainline firstyear college courses. Adopters of either text will find them complete, well written textbooks with clean, clear teaching styles. Both books follow traditional general chemistry outlines, with traditional content. While applications are well interwoven throughout both texts, neither should be viewed as "applications oriented". A brief comparison will follow individual descriptions.
Chemistry, The Central Science, 7th ed., by Brown, LeMay, and Bursten has a traditional chapter sequence. The most distinctive content is an excellent chapter on materials, which includes liquid crystals, polymers, and ceramics. Descriptive inorganic, organic, and biochemistry are found in the last chapters, with an "add-on" flavor. The authors state the textbook's advantages are clear writing, scientific accuracy and currency, strong end-of-chapter problems, and concept-oriented learning. I agree with these characterizations. Clear writing has long been a strength of this book, and it certainly also includes the typical 100+ problems per chapter. There is a real feel of "being current" about this book-many features are chosen with this in mind, and recent dates are pointedly shown. Topics like taxol, atomic force microscopy, and buckyballs are examples. The content is presented clearly, with a straight science feel, and with a sense of comprehensive treatment (both common approaches to limiting reagents are fully developed). Visually, the...