This is the final book in Theodore Gray's wonderful non-fiction trilogy about the chemistry of everything around us. The Elements introduced the basic building blocks of that chemistry, Molecules showed the ways in which those building blocks could combine to create an unimaginably vast array of substances, and Reactions looks at some of the ways in which those substances interact with each other to make things happen. We find out here why some materials burn more easily than others, why dropping a bottle of nitroglycerine can ruin your whole day, how it's possible to tell by analyzing your breath whether your body is currently burning sugar or fat, why watching grass grow or paint dry should be far less boring than you think, and a great deal more.

As with the previous books, this is a beautifully well-designed volume full of eye-catching photographs. It's also deeply fascinating. I'm extremely impressed with Gray's ability to explain things very clearly and interestingly, in such a way that not only do you understand the science better, but you also find yourself with a new and exciting perspective on the whole world around you. He also writes with a fun, engaging, often very humorous voice.

I definitely recommend all three books, even (or perhaps especially) for those who took high school chemistry and thought it was boring. ( )

Comprenez les mécanismes visibles et invisibles qui sont essentiels à notre existence même

Science made entertaining and memorable. ( )

Fantastic pop-sci book on Chemistry. The Chemical Trilogy is simply amazing. You will fall in love with chemistry. Just one suggestion: you don't have to end with a trilogy. An interesting idea would be making the fourth book all about "Biochemistry". Imagine a version of this book but all chemical reactions are about human's sleeping, eating, love, sex, exercising, getting sick, getting old, passing away, bathroom hygiene, pregnancy, child born, listening to music, the awe of hiking the highest mountain, the resonance of hearing a beautiful poetry, happiness, hatred, angriness, etc. It would be fun.

Highly recommended. ( )

Lots of incredible photos and easy-to-understand explanations — from the everyday to the unusual. Theodore Gray’s books are amazing, and this one is no exception. His enthusiasm for science, and his ability to illuminate the wonders of everyday life, are educational and magical all at once.

Thank you to goodreads and the publisher for a free copy! ( )