History of Chemistry
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
As a popular science book for general readers, its notable strengths lie in its clear structure and strong readability. It avoids the daunting obscurity of professional textbooks, deftly combining complex chemical concepts with historical stories and social context, so that readers can understand "what" while also grasping "why" and "how it evolved." The portrayals of scientific giants such as Lavoisier, Mendeleev and Marie Curie not only present their scientific contributions but also sketch the setbacks and perseverance in their explorations, offering inspiration.
In terms of content value, the book helps readers build a complete view of the history of chemistry and understand how chemistry, as a foundational discipline, has driven progress in fields such as materials, medicine and energy, thereby deepening their understanding of the logic by which science and technology shape the modern world. For readers who wish to broaden their knowledge and cultivate scientific thinking, this is an introductory work worth their time. Of course, readers seeking extremely in-depth professional details or cutting-edge developments may need to supplement it with more specialized works.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- General readers interested in the history of chemistry and eager to understand the trajectory of scientific evolution
- Middle school or university students currently studying chemistry who wish to deepen their understanding of the subject's background
- Readers with a background in the humanities who enjoy popular science and aim to broaden their knowledge
- Readers seeking general education material and hoping to cultivate scientific literacy and rational thinking
Not a good fit for
- Professional researchers seeking the latest chemical research advances or highly advanced theoretical depth
- Exam-oriented learners expecting extensive experimental guidance or exercise practice
Reading tips
- Read in modules by historical period (ancient, modern, contemporary) to build a chronological framework
- Expand reading around key figures or major discoveries to deepen understanding
- Note the connections between breakthroughs in chemical theory and technological applications, and reflect on science's impact on society
About the publisher
Jilin Publishing Group Co., Ltd. focuses on fine fiction, social sciences, literary appreciation, history, classical poetry and classical literature, with 1,141 titles in the library. Representative books include Dan Simmons's science fiction novels Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion, Freud's works on psychology and society such as The Ego and the Id and Group Psychology, and classical literature ranging from Laozi and Zhuangzi, Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Three Hundred Poems of the Tang, Song and Yuan Dynasties to Lü Simian's A General History of China. Its authors include Dan Simmons, Freud, Laozi, Lü Simian, Hengtang Tuishi, Pan Zhenhua, Li Yi and Guan Shanming, reflecting a balance between translated works and domestic editions. Public information is limited; the above is based on the library's holdings.
Contents
- 化工制陶——制陶制瓷 原始时期的化工制陶术
- 陶瓷技术的重要突破
- 异军突起的唐宋时期瓷艺
- 古代瓷艺的鼎盛时期
- 金属提纯——冶金冶炼 冷锤和热铸冶金技术
- 早期的铜矿冶炼技术
- 首创的胆水炼铜法
- 炼铁炼钢中的化学工艺
- 方术实验——炼丹制药 黄白术中的化学成就
- 冶金性质的火法炼丹
- 化学实验的水法炼丹
- 火药与炼丹制药实践
- 日用化工——生活制品 煎煮食盐的化学成就
- 饴糖和蔗糖化学工艺
- 独树一帜的酿酒化工
- 醋酱酵制与化工技术
- 染料和色染化学成就
- 油漆技术与化学工艺
- 早期制革与化学工艺
- 造纸术中的化学处理
FAQ
What is this book's Douban rating?
What is the background of the author Zeng Xun?
Is this book suitable for someone with no chemistry background at all?
Related on WeRead
Comments
Find this book
This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.
About the author
Zeng Xun, born in 1986 in Neijiang, Sichuan, graduated from the Department of Chinese at China University of Mining and Technology and is a writer and chief editor at the magazine Lianzheng Liaowang. He began publishing articles at the age of 16 and is the author of Salt Is My Thought and A Critique of the Kong Qingdong Phenomenon, and has compiled multiple volumes of the Republic Stories series as well as biographical works. His writing is mainly documentary literature and historical and political reading, focusing on major milestones in the history of the People's Republic and on foreign relations, including the Macao handover celebrations, the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, the Geneva Conference, the Three-Antis and Five-Antis movements, Soviet-aided projects, the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship, labor reform and the response to the Asian financial crisis, presenting historical facts in accessible narrative form. Fifty-one of his works are held in the collection, with additional titles on social culture and finance. Public information about his life and influence remains limited.
Ma Cheng is an author about whom little public information is available; no clear record exists regarding his nationality, dates of birth and death, or educational background. Judging from the eighteen works held in the collection, his writing centers on two areas: popular science and biography. His subjects range across the history of astronomy, ancient calendars, the history of chemistry, physics and biology, the Four Great Inventions, and inventions and discoveries, and he has also written a biography of Charlie Chaplin. Overall, he is skilled at combining abstract scientific knowledge with historical context, explaining the development of disciplines and the origins of major inventions in an accessible way that balances information with readability. His works commonly appear in the categories of popular science, general biography and inspirational growth, and are suitable for general readers who wish to learn about the history of science and invention with ease.
