Napoleon’s Buttons: 17 Molecules that Changed History

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Our Price: $15.00

By Penny Le Couteur (au); Jay Burreson (au)
Year: 2004
Pages: 375
Binding Paperback
ISBN 1-58542-331-9

Product Code: 1585423319

Description

Most of us never give a thought to the history or nature of spices or rubber or nicotine or penicillin or a score of other things -- chemicals -- that have changed the world. This is brought out beautifully in this book, with its brilliant blending of chemistry and culture. By explaining the chemistry that lies behind history, the authors showcase the fine line between toxin and treatment and how one compound can be both at the same time. In 17 chapters, the authors discuss: peppers, nutmeg, and cloves; ascorbic acid; glucose; cellulose; nitro compounds; silk and nylon; phenol; isoprene; dyes; wonder drugs; the pill; molecules of witchcraft; morphine, nicotine, and caffeine; oleic acid; salt; chlorocarbon copounds; and molecules versus malaria. Illustrations.

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