This is a text for a one-semester chemistry course for non-science majors and assumes little or no prior familiarity with chemistry. The author begins with a philosophical discussion of the practice of science. Scientific "facts", laws, theories, and hypotheses are defined, along with several examples. This chapter will provide material for lively class discussion, as some of the liberal arts students taking this course may well be interested in the philosophical underpinnings of science.

The second chapter begins with a discussion of the nature of reality: absolute reality vs. the Copenhagen interpretation, in which the act of observation affects the outcome of the measurement. This nicely lays the groundwork for an intelligent discussion of the uncertainty principle in a later chapter. From here on, through chapter 6, the text covers material which would be appropriate for a "prep. chem." course, and at nearly the same level. Measurements and units, the factor-label method, and exponential notation are covered in chapter 2. Chapter 3 gives a definition of chemistry, introduces the concepts of matter and energy, states of matter, pure substances and mixtures, and elements and compounds. Chapter 4 covers Dalton's atomic theory, the laws of definite and multiple proportions; surveys the periodic table; and introduces chemical formulas and equations and balancing them. Chapter 5 treats atomic structure; it describes the experiments that led to the discovery of subatomic particles and introduces the Bohr model and wave mechanics. The analogy of the shapes of orbitals and their nodes to the modes of vibration of a stretched string is pointed out. There is an intriguing discussion of the limits to scientific knowledge, in terms of the uncertainty principle and wave-particle duality.

Chapter 6 discusses bonding: the octet rule, the charges of ions of representative elements, and drawing Lewis dot structures are covered. There is even some discussion of VSEPR and molecular polarity. The chapter on solutions treats intermolecular forces and rationalizes the "like dissolves like" rule. The author introduces the mole and molarity in this chapter as well, even though there is no discussion of stoichiometry (other than definite proportions) elsewhere in the text.

Remaining chapters cover acids, bases, and chemical equilibrium, redox, energy and nonrenewable natural resources, organic chemistry, polymers, and environmental issues. These chapters emphasize basic concepts and definitions, such as LeChatelier's principle, and present representative reactions. Very few calculations are done, which is appropriate for this audience. The author introduces entropy and the second law in the chapter on energy. He even briefly mentions free energy, but there is not enough detail to make this concept very meaningful. I suppose I would rather have seen some illustrations of the amounts of energy available from various fuels and foods, even if some simple calculations and bond energies needed to be introduced. The discussions of nonrenewable energy resources and our profligate consumption of them, as well as the treatment of environmental issues in connection with CFC's, greenhouse gases, chemical waste disposal, and nuclear power plants are all quite well done and rather sobering.

In summary, this is a well-written, literate and up-to-date text, which not only treats a large number of "skills" which might be needed by a student who decides to continue in chemistry, but also presents a reasonable description of the nature of scientific knowledge and how science is actually done. The discussions of the societal issues of energy resources and the protection of the environment are intelligent and compelling.