Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:51:17 -0500
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Subject: 3 RE: [DCHAS-L] Any Good Chem History Books?

From: Steven Wathen 
Date: November 10, 2009 4:00:25 PM EST
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Any Good Chem History Books?

Two books that I have enjoyed are:

The Chemical Tree: A History of Chemistry by William H. Brock
The Development of Chemical Principles by Cooper H. Langford and Ralph 
A. Beebe

Both give a historical view of how basic chemical theories developed - 
from before alchemy to the 20th century.  They gave me a good 
appreciation of the things I cover in general chemistry as well as the 
upper level classes.

Steve
-------------
Dr. Steven P. Wathen
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Siena Heights University
1247 East Siena Heights Drive
Adrian, MI 49221

(517) 264-7657
swathen**At_Symbol_Here**sienaheights.edu

===
From: Joanna Lynch 
Date: November 10, 2009 4:02:08 PM EST
To: DCHAS-L Discussion List 
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Any Good Chem History Books?

A page of links (including ACS Chemistry History) on Dan Berger's 
History of Chemistry Bookmarks:
http://www.bluffton.edu/~bergerd/chem/chemhist.html

Also, the Chemical Heritage Foundation http://www.chemheritage.org/ has 
a very good Journal (free!): 
http://www.chemheritage.org/Publications/ChemHeritage/chemmag.htm

- Joanna
-- 
Joanna Lynch
Associate Chemical Hygiene Officer
Cornell University
Environmental Health & Safety
East Hill Office Building
395 Pine Tree Road, Suite 210
Ithaca, NY 14850
(p) 607-255-4288
(f) 607-255-8267
JL72**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu
http://www.ehs.cornell.edu

===
From: "Steehler, Gail" 
Date: November 10, 2009 3:54:25 PM EST
To: DCHAS-L Discussion List 
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Any Good Chem History Books?

The Art of Chemistry by Greenberg is quite nice for ancient through 19th 
century.  It selects topics for interest, rather than systematic 
coverage.  You could find it in libraries or get a used copy for about 
$25 online.  The Historical Background of Chemistry by Leicester covers 
the same time period.  It is more systematic (but perhaps less fun).  
You can get used copies of the Dover paperback very cheap online.  I 
found The Periodic Table by Scerri very interesting.  I used it to 
prepare for a National Chemistry Week talk recently.  I was surprised at 
how much I didn't know on the topic, even after many years spent 
teaching about it.  While not strictly a history, you might also enjoy 
The Elements of Murder by John Emsley.  I've used tidbits from it to 
enliven more than one inorganic lecture.  It has lots of historical 
context.  It also has lots of hazardous materials to appeal to members 
of this listserv.

Gail Steehler

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