Winner of the Science Book Prize, this Guide explains in accessible, non-technical language the science behind sugar and artificial sweeteners; cholesterol, animal fats and fibre; painkillers, and the risks associated with taking drugs; plastics and PVC; and exposes the misinformation and disinformation that surround many of the controversial chemicals we meet in daily life.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: EXCELLENT Comment: This was a very clearly written and insightful book. It was well researched and presented in an appealing format in layman's terms. He described the essence of flavors,perfumes, and other good chemicals. The best book on the importance of chemistry in everyday life that I've read. Customer Rating: Summary: This ought to be required reading! Comment: It is definetely too bad that this book is not still in print for the public to buy! I'm 18 years old and love science, but you don't really have to be a science whiz to understand it. What I believe is so great about this book is that it exposes the fallacies in the beliefs people have about certain chemicals, from sugar (and artifical sweeteners), cholesterol, fats, and fiber, painkillers (and other medications), PVC, dioxins, and carbon dioxide (global warming). People are misinformed by the media and even medical sources as to the dangers of these things, when many of these things are actually good for us! This book was written from a logical viewpoint. John Emsley, who is a great author, discusses both sides of a topic, and really just makes the book interesting. I believe it should be required reading in high school because then so many kids would be exposed to the fallacies that the media puts out about everything from sugar (It's not bad!) to body health. We as Americans believe so many things blindly without realizing the actual scientific proof. This books is great!
