The Genie in the Bottle: 64 All New Commentaries on the Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life

by Joe Schwarcz and Joseph Schwarcz

Book Overview

Looking for a headache cure? Try willow bark. Wondering how that ice cream got its color? Could be from bug juice. Giving us the lowdown on these and other chemical phenomena, The Genie in the Bottle... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0716746018
• ISBN13: 9780716746010
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Facinating stories on everyday chemistry

This is not a typical chemistry book. Dr. Schwarcz has several interesing stories such at the background of Thalidomide and the origin of the term "snake oil". About half the book is on food and health related topics. It's a fast read and should be interesting to anyone interested in science, health or history. The Dr. has his own radio show on science so the topics are designed to entertain a wide audience. The commentaries are short and make sense in any order. I liked is so much I'm planning on reading one of Dr. Schwarcz's other collections of commentaries.

A brief but enjoyable walk through Chemistry

Here is a book for everyone who has a natural scientific curiosity - a well-written and entertaining look at the chemistry of everyday life. Dr. Schwarz has taken Chemistry, food and magic tricks and rolled them all together in order to create an entertaining read. To name just a few of the topics covered. While cooking peas- how can you make them more GREEN - and why does it work The chemical benefits of flax seed oil Why magicians can NOT bend things with thought power alone. The history of Mercury poisoning Why things are "hot" to taste and how this can be used against bugs As you can see the list of topics is both broad and entertaining. Amazingly, Dr. Schwarz does not get us caught up in very in-depth chemical equations/reactions. This is book written for someone with scientific curiosity not necessary a Masters in Science! I definitely recommend "The Genie in the Bottle" - and I also give it as an endorsement to be used as bed time stories to your children, for it is these types of short essays on chemistry that may spark the love of the sciences in your child!

Genie in a Bottle by Scwarcz

This book demonstrates how seemingly impractical ideas made itinto implementation in the areas of organic and inorganicchemistry. At first, silly puddy was deemed an impracticalidea with very little commercial application outside thelaboratory. It turned out to be a multi-million dollar idea.Baking soda was not seen as a practical idea initially, althoughmost homes have it today. The concept of drinking urine toheal arthritis was deemed to be bizarre; however, there issome scientific validity to the concept according to the author.Arthritis may be relieved by keeping raisins in gin for 9 days.GLA, primrose oil and chicken cartilage are all helpfulcomplementary strategies to controlling arthritis. Vaselineoil was not seen as a great idea initially. Its inventor,Robert Chesebrough created an enduring legacy with the product.Chlorinated drinking water saved millions from bacterial diseases. This work describes many of the most promising inventions and processes in chemistry. It would be a perfectreference for a student project. The book is a good value for the price charged. Its contents could make great conversationat any dinner table.

Great Book!

This is one of the best popular science books I have ever read, and the best chemistry book. Dr Schwarz explains numerous chemistry topics amidst a background of truly interesting stories. I recommend this book to everyone with any interest in science.