Molecules

November 15, 2014

Building on the success of his previous works, Gray (Wolfram Research; The Elements) introduces a coffee-table book that moves beyond elements and into molecules. Through photographs and illustrations, the author introduces us to many of the molecules that affect our everyday and not-so-everyday lives. While anyone can appreciate the impressive visuals in this book, others will be frustrated by Gray's prose style. The text is written at an uncomfortable intermediate level; some captions go into great or even excessive detail, while others are sparse at best. Readers with moderate to extensive knowledge of the subject will question many of Gray's descriptions and assertions, and those with little or no chemical education will be unable to understand other captions owing to their incomplete explanations. The focus is clearly on the photography, often to the extreme detriment of substance and coverage. VERDICT Readers who wish to learn more about chemistry would be better served with another work that isn't so strongly focused on photography. Those already familiar with the topic are sure to enjoy the images.--John Kromer, Miami Univ. of Ohio Lib., Oxford, OH

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