The Chemical Tree: A History of Chemistry

by William H. Brock

Overview

From alchemy to industry, a synthetic history of chemistry through the ages.

In this authoritative volume, a New York Times Notable Book of 1993, scientific researcher and historian William Brock recounts the astonishing rise of a sophisticated science. Tracing the roots of chemistry back to the alchemists' futile attempts to turn lead into gold, he follows the emergence of the modern study of chemistry through the works of Boyle, Lavoisier, and Dalton, and the twentieth-century breakthroughs of Linus Pauling and others. This timely, comprehensive history examines the shifting conceptions of chemistry over the past centuries—from its development as a scientific philosophy to, more recently, its practical applications in the commercial, industrial arena. Originally published under the title The Norton History of Chemistry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393320688
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	06/17/2000
Series:	The Norton History of Science
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	784
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

William H. Brock is Reader in the History of Science at the University of Leicester.

Editorial Reviews

Tracing the roots of the science back to the alchemists' futile attempts to turn lead into gold, Brock (history of science, U. of Leicester) follows its emergence through the works of Boyle, Lavoisier, and Dalton and the 20th-century breakthroughs of Linus Pauling and others. He examines the shifting conceptions from the early scientific philosophy to recent applications in commerce and industry. The 1993 edition was titled . Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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