by C N R Rao (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India & Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India)

This is the international edition of Prof Rao's popular science book, an elementary introduction intended for high school students and others interested in appreciation of chemistry. Ideas and facts are presented, and a few questions raised, in order to interest the reader in the subject and to arouse curiosity. The book covers essential aspects of chemistry, features of the modern periodic table, bonding between atoms in molecules and substances, shapes and structures of molecules, metals and materials, alkalis and acids, carbon compounds, electronic structure of atoms, classification of elements, simple chemical reactions, biopolymers and man-made polymers and aspects of energy. There are also life sketches of chemists and procedures for a few experiments.