Chemistry: A Self-teaching Guide (Wiley SelfTeaching Guides)

I bought this book and started working my way through the chapters - and I'm having a great time! This book is really good if you have little or no knowledge of chemistry as it takes you through the topics with little questions and tests as you go.

Incidentally, if you are studying chemistry and want to be inspired by the awe and wonder of the science, I suggest you pick up a copy of Oliver Sacks' "Uncle Tungsten", which is a wonderful boyhood story of his fascination with chemistry. I'm reading the book as I go through the chapters of the above chemistry book, and its great to have access to Sacks' explanations, experiments and history as I learn the basics.


I can't imagine a better teaching guide for chemistry!   June 2, 1999
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

As a teacher myself (but one who knows nothing about chemistry), I must comment on this excellent book. It is clear, organized, and well-written. The authors have taken a difficult subject and made it understandable. I feel as though I am much better prepared for the college chemistry course I'll be taking in a few months - and I even think I will enjoy it! Thank you for this great little book!


Exactly what it promises   May 13, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This book will just do what it promises: teach you the basics of chemistry. This is tailored so that even one who knows nothing about chemistry can learn (and even if he is a bit dumb!). Lately, the price is very low.


great book   March 23, 1998
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I am going back to school in the fall to start Pre-med. I hadn't taken chemistry since high school (my previous B.S. was in the arts, not science!) so I figured I'd review the basics to give myself a head start on my classes. This book is even better than I expected. It doesn't only contain information to read, it also allows you to interact with the material, solving problems, answering questions, and working formulas. Because learning by actually doing is so effective, this book has taught me more than I would have thought possible. I now feel more prepared for my courses, and am looking for more books in this series to give me a similar boost with calculus and biology. I highly recommend it. It makes a challenging subject very clear and understandable.