Worthless, 13 May 2006
I bought this book because I needed refresher course on chemistry and thought this would be good.

Unfortunately, if you already know chemistry, this book will teach you nothing. Also, unfortunately, if you don't know chemistry then this book will teach you nothing. The existence of this book seem superfluous.

Yes, there are some mildly amusing cartoons and there are some very terse textbook summaries on chemistry, all printed on very low-grade paper.

I am an engineer by training and I didn't understand a word even of the section on logarithms. That's how bad this book is.


A-level (or similar) guide to Chemistry, 22 Sep 2005
This is a great book. I teach IB Chemistry in an international school in Thailand and my students have had their fill of books which all follow a bog-standard, well-researched, but ultimately rather bland format.
This book is great in that it gives a lighter format which presents sound facts in a light-hearted way so that students are likely to read a section and not realise that they have learned too much.
It is not, however, a replacement to a text-book - more an addition to a student's library or reading resources. I'm recommmending our school library get a copy or two of this so students can, with their finals around the corner, use it to consolidate information.
It's a good buy and there are other in the series covering statistics, physics and genetics.
A great buy and a bargain price!

Worthless, 13 May 2006
I bought this book because I needed refresher course on chemistry and thought this would be good.

Unfortunately, if you already know chemistry, this book will teach you nothing. Also, unfortunately, if you don't know chemistry then this book will teach you nothing. The existence of this book seem superfluous.

Yes, there are some mildly amusing cartoons and there are some very terse textbook summaries on chemistry, all printed on very low-grade paper.

I am an engineer by training and I didn't understand a word even of the section on logarithms. That's how bad this book is.


A-level (or similar) guide to Chemistry, 22 Sep 2005
This is a great book. I teach IB Chemistry in an international school in Thailand and my students have had their fill of books which all follow a bog-standard, well-researched, but ultimately rather bland format.
This book is great in that it gives a lighter format which presents sound facts in a light-hearted way so that students are likely to read a section and not realise that they have learned too much.
It is not, however, a replacement to a text-book - more an addition to a student's library or reading resources. I'm recommmending our school library get a copy or two of this so students can, with their finals around the corner, use it to consolidate information.
It's a good buy and there are other in the series covering statistics, physics and genetics.
A great buy and a bargain price!

Scientifically accurate answers explained simply, 25 Dec 2005
A very easy to read, informative work explained for those with a minimal knowledge of science. The author has an excellent sense of humour which adds to the enjoyment of the book. Although aimed at those with a minimal knowledge of science the book is still a great read for those with a substantial knowledge.

Thoroughly recommended.

Why not 5-stars? There are no illustrations and I thought that in a couple of instances a diagram would help.

Worthless, 13 May 2006
I bought this book because I needed refresher course on chemistry and thought this would be good.

Unfortunately, if you already know chemistry, this book will teach you nothing. Also, unfortunately, if you don't know chemistry then this book will teach you nothing. The existence of this book seem superfluous.

Yes, there are some mildly amusing cartoons and there are some very terse textbook summaries on chemistry, all printed on very low-grade paper.

I am an engineer by training and I didn't understand a word even of the section on logarithms. That's how bad this book is.


A-level (or similar) guide to Chemistry, 22 Sep 2005
This is a great book. I teach IB Chemistry in an international school in Thailand and my students have had their fill of books which all follow a bog-standard, well-researched, but ultimately rather bland format.
This book is great in that it gives a lighter format which presents sound facts in a light-hearted way so that students are likely to read a section and not realise that they have learned too much.
It is not, however, a replacement to a text-book - more an addition to a student's library or reading resources. I'm recommmending our school library get a copy or two of this so students can, with their finals around the corner, use it to consolidate information.
It's a good buy and there are other in the series covering statistics, physics and genetics.
A great buy and a bargain price!

Scientifically accurate answers explained simply, 25 Dec 2005
A very easy to read, informative work explained for those with a minimal knowledge of science. The author has an excellent sense of humour which adds to the enjoyment of the book. Although aimed at those with a minimal knowledge of science the book is still a great read for those with a substantial knowledge.

Thoroughly recommended.

Why not 5-stars? There are no illustrations and I thought that in a couple of instances a diagram would help.

Roger Welsch should not be listed with this book, 10 Jun 1999
roger welsch has nothing to do with this book! it is not entertainment nor humor! what's going on?

Worthless, 13 May 2006
I bought this book because I needed refresher course on chemistry and thought this would be good.

Unfortunately, if you already know chemistry, this book will teach you nothing. Also, unfortunately, if you don't know chemistry then this book will teach you nothing. The existence of this book seem superfluous.

Yes, there are some mildly amusing cartoons and there are some very terse textbook summaries on chemistry, all printed on very low-grade paper.

I am an engineer by training and I didn't understand a word even of the section on logarithms. That's how bad this book is.


A-level (or similar) guide to Chemistry, 22 Sep 2005
This is a great book. I teach IB Chemistry in an international school in Thailand and my students have had their fill of books which all follow a bog-standard, well-researched, but ultimately rather bland format.
This book is great in that it gives a lighter format which presents sound facts in a light-hearted way so that students are likely to read a section and not realise that they have learned too much.
It is not, however, a replacement to a text-book - more an addition to a student's library or reading resources. I'm recommmending our school library get a copy or two of this so students can, with their finals around the corner, use it to consolidate information.
It's a good buy and there are other in the series covering statistics, physics and genetics.
A great buy and a bargain price!

Scientifically accurate answers explained simply, 25 Dec 2005
A very easy to read, informative work explained for those with a minimal knowledge of science. The author has an excellent sense of humour which adds to the enjoyment of the book. Although aimed at those with a minimal knowledge of science the book is still a great read for those with a substantial knowledge.

Thoroughly recommended.

Why not 5-stars? There are no illustrations and I thought that in a couple of instances a diagram would help.

Roger Welsch should not be listed with this book, 10 Jun 1999
roger welsch has nothing to do with this book! it is not entertainment nor humor! what's going on?

Maths and stats made easy, 10 Dec 2005
I recently purchased another math text with a view to owning a book concerning interesting issues in the area of mathematics. That title proved a little complex and probably more suited to a math expert rather than an interested outsider like myself.

Starbird and Burger's text is an excellent overview of current issues in mathematics and statistics, with some interesting insight as to how mathematics is (1) a surprisingly large part of everyday life and (2) a very interesting exercise in understanding quite complex ideas.

While the book is a slow starter, and may appear a little simplistic initally, it soon grows into a very interesting read in a variety of subject areas.

Some personal favorite subjects covered are:
* Intuition versus reality - folding paper and fitting all humankind into a box
* Making sense of data - some great stats examples of why to be careful when interpreting infomation
* A great explanation of the fourth dimension

The books illustrations are a big bonus, with some in particular making the subject matter much easier to digest (e.g. cards on a table edge, the fourth dimension)

A great book for those who love mathematics, but are perhaps stronger conceptually than thay may be in the mechanics of the subject.

Worthless, 13 May 2006
I bought this book because I needed refresher course on chemistry and thought this would be good.

Unfortunately, if you already know chemistry, this book will teach you nothing. Also, unfortunately, if you don't know chemistry then this book will teach you nothing. The existence of this book seem superfluous.

Yes, there are some mildly amusing cartoons and there are some very terse textbook summaries on chemistry, all printed on very low-grade paper.

I am an engineer by training and I didn't understand a word even of the section on logarithms. That's how bad this book is.


A-level (or similar) guide to Chemistry, 22 Sep 2005
This is a great book. I teach IB Chemistry in an international school in Thailand and my students have had their fill of books which all follow a bog-standard, well-researched, but ultimately rather bland format.
This book is great in that it gives a lighter format which presents sound facts in a light-hearted way so that students are likely to read a section and not realise that they have learned too much.
It is not, however, a replacement to a text-book - more an addition to a student's library or reading resources. I'm recommmending our school library get a copy or two of this so students can, with their finals around the corner, use it to consolidate information.
It's a good buy and there are other in the series covering statistics, physics and genetics.
A great buy and a bargain price!

Scientifically accurate answers explained simply, 25 Dec 2005
A very easy to read, informative work explained for those with a minimal knowledge of science. The author has an excellent sense of humour which adds to the enjoyment of the book. Although aimed at those with a minimal knowledge of science the book is still a great read for those with a substantial knowledge.

Thoroughly recommended.

Why not 5-stars? There are no illustrations and I thought that in a couple of instances a diagram would help.

Roger Welsch should not be listed with this book, 10 Jun 1999
roger welsch has nothing to do with this book! it is not entertainment nor humor! what's going on?

Maths and stats made easy, 10 Dec 2005
I recently purchased another math text with a view to owning a book concerning interesting issues in the area of mathematics. That title proved a little complex and probably more suited to a math expert rather than an interested outsider like myself.

Starbird and Burger's text is an excellent overview of current issues in mathematics and statistics, with some interesting insight as to how mathematics is (1) a surprisingly large part of everyday life and (2) a very interesting exercise in understanding quite complex ideas.

While the book is a slow starter, and may appear a little simplistic initally, it soon grows into a very interesting read in a variety of subject areas.

Some personal favorite subjects covered are:
* Intuition versus reality - folding paper and fitting all humankind into a box
* Making sense of data - some great stats examples of why to be careful when interpreting infomation
* A great explanation of the fourth dimension

The books illustrations are a big bonus, with some in particular making the subject matter much easier to digest (e.g. cards on a table edge, the fourth dimension)

A great book for those who love mathematics, but are perhaps stronger conceptually than thay may be in the mechanics of the subject.

Nature or Nurture?, 12 Jul 2001
Is sexual orientation biological or cultural? This book explains that this is not even an appropriate questions. It shows how everyone's sexuality is malleable and expandable. Heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual are outdated and inaccurate terms. This book explains how everyone is omnisexual or humansexual. Read this book as a thriller or as a horror story, but read it. Copernicus again has broken new ground with this one.

Worthless, 13 May 2006
I bought this book because I needed refresher course on chemistry and thought this would be good.

Unfortunately, if you already know chemistry, this book will teach you nothing. Also, unfortunately, if you don't know chemistry then this book will teach you nothing. The existence of this book seem superfluous.

Yes, there are some mildly amusing cartoons and there are some very terse textbook summaries on chemistry, all printed on very low-grade paper.

I am an engineer by training and I didn't understand a word even of the section on logarithms. That's how bad this book is.


A-level (or similar) guide to Chemistry, 22 Sep 2005
This is a great book. I teach IB Chemistry in an international school in Thailand and my students have had their fill of books which all follow a bog-standard, well-researched, but ultimately rather bland format.
This book is great in that it gives a lighter format which presents sound facts in a light-hearted way so that students are likely to read a section and not realise that they have learned too much.
It is not, however, a replacement to a text-book - more an addition to a student's library or reading resources. I'm recommmending our school library get a copy or two of this so students can, with their finals around the corner, use it to consolidate information.
It's a good buy and there are other in the series covering statistics, physics and genetics.
A great buy and a bargain price!

Scientifically accurate answers explained simply, 25 Dec 2005
A very easy to read, informative work explained for those with a minimal knowledge of science. The author has an excellent sense of humour which adds to the enjoyment of the book. Although aimed at those with a minimal knowledge of science the book is still a great read for those with a substantial knowledge.

Thoroughly recommended.

Why not 5-stars? There are no illustrations and I thought that in a couple of instances a diagram would help.

Roger Welsch should not be listed with this book, 10 Jun 1999
roger welsch has nothing to do with this book! it is not entertainment nor humor! what's going on?

Maths and stats made easy, 10 Dec 2005
I recently purchased another math text with a view to owning a book concerning interesting issues in the area of mathematics. That title proved a little complex and probably more suited to a math expert rather than an interested outsider like myself.

Starbird and Burger's text is an excellent overview of current issues in mathematics and statistics, with some interesting insight as to how mathematics is (1) a surprisingly large part of everyday life and (2) a very interesting exercise in understanding quite complex ideas.

While the book is a slow starter, and may appear a little simplistic initally, it soon grows into a very interesting read in a variety of subject areas.

Some personal favorite subjects covered are:
* Intuition versus reality - folding paper and fitting all humankind into a box
* Making sense of data - some great stats examples of why to be careful when interpreting infomation
* A great explanation of the fourth dimension

The books illustrations are a big bonus, with some in particular making the subject matter much easier to digest (e.g. cards on a table edge, the fourth dimension)

A great book for those who love mathematics, but are perhaps stronger conceptually than thay may be in the mechanics of the subject.

Nature or Nurture?, 12 Jul 2001
Is sexual orientation biological or cultural? This book explains that this is not even an appropriate questions. It shows how everyone's sexuality is malleable and expandable. Heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual are outdated and inaccurate terms. This book explains how everyone is omnisexual or humansexual. Read this book as a thriller or as a horror story, but read it. Copernicus again has broken new ground with this one.

Hilarious laboratory anecdotes and clearly written science., 18 Aug 1999
Slack interweaves real science (Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology; frog and fly biology) with job descriptions of biologists and events in the laboratory to portray the fragile existence of academic scientists.

As a career university biologist myself, I repeatedly found myself asking the question as I navigated through the book "Why did I get into this business in the first place?" Slack's work will certainly prompt the budding young scientist to confront their own destiny.

To those interested in what professors do (since they are not in the classroom 8 hours per day), this is the book for you. Though clearly written, the science is still not for everyone; occasionally, Slack lapses into jargon without definition. However, the lighthearted and accurate picture of life in the laboratory will certainly provide enough entertainment for any reader, especially if you are undecided if you want to spend the rest of your life cohabitating with an academic.

Excellent guide for a would be biomedical researcher, 17 Aug 1999
This is an excellent book for anyone who might have some idea that they might want to be a professional scientist, working in biomedical research or as a professor in a university. Slack writes very well and he can tell an amusing anecdote. There is a some good science in it too. He is slightly curmidgeonly, perhaps, but I think this is part of his appeal. He tells it like it is. Read this book to find out that being a research scientist, perhaps unfortunately, is like being in the corporate world, and scientists have egos just like anyone else. There is a wealth of guidance for a new 'starry eyed' student. Slack is a good scientist and he portrays with a light touch some of the characters he knows, journals, government regulations and career structures. In addition he explains how he got into science and why. Anyone who is already a biological scientist will find much to chuckle at and I think that all biology students should read it - particularly if contemplating going on to take a higher degree. This book is an antidote to the ridiculous idea that scientists are 'higher beings' concerned only with 'truth'.