First chapter of Atkins' "What is Chemistry" published in late 2013

When I saw this book featured in the book section of C&E News, my first thought was, "Atkins is still writing!"  I am familiar with Atkins because he authored the Physical Chemistry textbook I used as a student.  I still use his book, as a matter of fact, whenever I need to review principles of quantum chemistry and thermodynamics.  Either he has become a much better writer but, more likely, I have become a better reader with a better foundation.  I much appreciate the precise way he explains chemistry concepts.  For instance, it was such a profound moment when I read his molecular definitions of heat and work.  I am sure i have read this before but only now am I appreciative of this precise way of viewing things emphasizing the particle and force basis of everything that we observe at the macroscopic level.

In this first chapter, he repeats for me what I have always emphasized to students as a basis for why numeracy or quantitative literacy is so important in studying chemistry and science.  How else can you observe subtle changes in matter if you cannot measure properties in precise, quantitative ways?!?  He also gives a prelude of what I believe is the beauty of understanding chemistry, the physics behind it!  I knew I was on the right track when I decided to major in physics as an undergraduate and take on chemistry as a graduate student even though Physics, especially Quantum Mechanics and quantum electrodynamics gave me a headache i still feel coming on whenever i tackle these challenging concepts.

More later as I continue to read...i think i chose a good first book to start off the literary portion of my sabbatical.