THE CHALLENGE OF CHEMISTRY

Both entertaining and informative, this text establishes the vast boundaries of the science of chemistry. In his first chapters, the author defines chemistry. He then proceeds to investigate its various branches--organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, polymeric, medicinal, radio, agricultural, industrial, and engineering. Spanning the achievements of chemists in the past and speculating on the vastly creative impulse which must motivate chemists of the future, O.A. Battista imbues his subject with the fascination of a science fiction story. Within the grasp of even the least technical mind, The Challenge of Chemistry, rich in anecdotes and specific examples, should do much to intrigue the already devoted science student, and still more to wean the indifferent adolescent to a more understanding enthusiasm of the riches of this field. An excellent companion to Gordon Keith Irwin's The Romance of Chemistry (Viking, p. 301 (J-211)), this text places a greater emphasis on the future of chemistry, speculating as to what will be its domain, the problems and materials with which it necessarily will deal.