Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science) 1st Edition

I bought this book because of a renewed interest in Chemistry, a subject that I very well on in college, but forgot most of twenty years later. Based on the books' description, I was hoping for a book that was hands on, would cover the basics, and would lead me into more advanced chemistry at some point.The book did not disappoint - it by far exceeded my expectations. The first five chapters of the book were preparatory - maintaining a lab notebook, safety, what laboratory chemicals and equipment need to be purchased. The author offers cheaper solutions for chemicals or equipment that could be made by oneself or purchased cheaply from a grocery/hardware store. The fifth chapter describes the basics of lab practices - making weight and volume measurements, working with glass tubing, filtration, etc. These important details were very beneficial to me, as I had forgotten all of them.Chapter six and on were labs, which started from the basics, and became progressively more challenging. The labs are grouped by type (i.e., separating mixtures, solubility, etc). Each lab starts with some background information, but it is typically brief. It is recommended to purchase a chemistry text (although not necessary to do the labs). I bought the recommended book, and found it quite beneficial. The labs are not "child" chemistry, like making elephant toothpaste or baking soda fountains, but are high-school and college level, and beyond. Dangerous chemicals are sometimes used, as is necessary if you want to do real chemistry, but the author uses good judgment and uses safer chemicals where possible.There are a few experiments where an equation or some important details are not given - it seems that the author is trying to encourage the reader to do some research in a chemistry reference text. There are also questions at the end of each lab, and some of them are quite difficult.The author maintains a website and forum with errata and supplementary information, and also hosts a Youtube channel that complements the book nicely. For a small subscription cost ($18), there is an addendum that contains an answer guide for the lab questions at the end of each lab, as well as over 30 additional labs. I highly recommend that as well.This is by far the best book for home chemistry that I have found, and I am thoroughly pleased with it.

Good value prompt delivery

This is a fantastic book. I've been through a physics degree, two semesters of college chemistry, and a year of high school chemistry. I've never seen a lab manual so complete in nature, one that thoroughly explains myriad safety standards, various lab equipment, and a huge variety of experiments. It's not necessarily for the faint of heart: there are several chapters of safety and laboratory procedures before the first experiment is discussed. Given the danger of mixing some seemingly innocuous substances, it's warranted, but it's also not for anyone under the age of say, 13. But for anyone who wants a thorough, self-paced laboratory course, I don't think you can do better.

I enjoyed the book but it very frequently refers you to a website to get information and the website is no longer available with this information.. that really upset me because i need the help it was supposed to offer.

If you are serious about chemistry this is the book to get, I could go on and on about the many things within its pages and its vast knowledge from the author, however I will tell you personally its been a great tool, and have found it to go hand in hand with other chemistry text books, although Dr. Robert Bruce Thompson gives some lecture it is geared more towards on hands Lab Time, which is wonderful, and gives the suggestion to pick up other text books like Chemistry the Center of Science which I have along with some other stuff including Math in Chemistry which have helped focus and amplify Dr. Thompson's book as you get in more to the reading and understand better as the end of this book gets pretty advanced, but because it is focused on hands on and little to no lecture it can be a bit challenging, but from the start it's great for someone who is beginning the science joureny. Filled with great tips on where to get chemicals on the cheap, supplies, what basic needed lab equipment is used for, and safety tips and practices. When this book first arrived I started reading it straight away and as the day ended I was nearing the end. Couldn't put it down. There is a great voice throughout the book, and even some humor. Also there are notes and points of view from experiences from other Doctors in the field. After reading it I can actually under stuff like MnO2, HCI, and 55tf-32=23/9=2.5(5)=12.5tc looks complicated but is actually converting Tempture from F to C. But all in all this is a great book and I recommend it to anyone who is interested or know someone who is interested in Chemistry.