Vanity, Vitality, and Virility: The Science Behind the Products You Love to Buy

by John Emsley

Book Overview

What is the secret of shower cleaners? How does the dangerous explosive nitroglycerin ward off heart attacks? And what medicines, usually prescribed for other purposes, are said to produce the ultimate orgasm?
In Vanity, Vitality, and Virility, award-winning science writer John Emsley offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes account of 30 chemicals that we use everyday to make ourselves more beautiful, to improve our diet and sexual pleasure, to...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192806734
• ISBN13: 9780192806734
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Great Reading

This is the third book that I've read by John Emsley. The author keeps the story moving by supporting statements within the text rather than distracting footnotes. Anyone interested in his daily exposure to the world of chemistry will enjoy this book. The book is not technical, but it is an excellent source of references should one want to dig deeper into any of the title topics.

Wonderful Overview of Chemistry in Our Daily Lives

In Vanity, Vitality, Virility, Emsley describes the chemistry behind certain products that we depend on in our daily lives. These products range from lipstick to Viagra to Prozac. Each snapshot of a certain chemical offers a quick summary of how the product works, its benefits and its harms. Emsley is excellent at piecing together a coherent train of thought on certain chemicals and their history. The book reads well and is written for the popular audience as Emsley makes sure that the vocabulary and theory is brought down to a level in which general chemistry students can understand. However, he does not water it down so much as to discourage chemistry professionals from reading his book. He makes a point not to substitute certain chemical formula for its more common name, in the hope that his readers may not be intimidated by the language chemistry uses. To conclude his book, Emsley describes the current plight of scientific education and makes an attempt at diagnosing its problems. He also seeks out possible solutions and pleads for students to study chemistry. Overall, the book is highly interesting as it aids us in the understanding of chemical applications, which is often neglected in chemistry classes. I believe that the book clears up certain image problems with the chemistry profession in general and increases general interest in chemistry study.

Interesting and highly readable

Emsley is a chemist with writing abilities. He presents what could be dry, scientific material as interesting and fun to read. It's a quick read, yet full of information. I suspect he could have written a book of 500+ pages on the chemicals behind household (bleach), beauty (lipstick, wrinkle creams), health (Viagra, Prozac) and everyday items (chewing gum) we take for granted. I would have loved even more!