New Releases by John Emsley

This book explains to the general reader the roles of chemistry in various areas of life ranging from the entirely personal to the worryingly global. These roles are currently not widely appreciated and certainly not well understood. The book is aimed at educated laypeople who want to know more about the world around them but have little chemical knowledge. The themes relate to the importance of chemistry in everyday life, the benefits they currently bring, and how their use can continue on a sustainable basis. Topics include: Health - conquering the diseases and stresses which still threaten us. Food - the role of agrochemicals and food chemists. Water - drinking water; the seas as a resource of raw materials. Fuels - what are they and from what are they made? Plastics - what are the used for and can they be sustainable? Cities - what role has chemistry in modern life? Sport - chemistry has changed the game. The world stands at a crossroads. What route to the future should we take? The road to a sustainable city beckons, but what effect will this have on chemistry, which appears so dependent on fossil resources? Its products are part of everyday living, and without them we could regress to the world of earlier generations when lives were blighted by disease, famines, dirt, and pain. In fact the industries based on chemistry the chemical, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries could be sustainable and not only benefit those in the developed world but could be shared by everyone on this planet and for generations to come. This book shows how it might be achieved.

How can a plant as beautiful as the foxglove be so deadly and yet for more than a century be used to treat heart disease? The same is true of other naturally occurring molecules as will be revealed in this current book by award-winning author and chemist, John Emsley. More Molecules of Murder follows on from his highly-acclaimed earlier book Molecules of Murder, and again it deals with 14 potential poisons; seven of which are man-made and seven of which are natural. It investigates the crimes committed with them, not from the point of view of the murderers, their victims, or the detectives, but from the poison used. In so doing it throws new light on how these crimes were carried out and ultimately how the perpetrators were uncovered and brought to justice. Each chapter starts by looking at the target molecule itself, its discovery, its chemistry, its often-surprising use in medicine, its effects on the human body, and its toxicology. The rest of the chapter is devoted to murders and attempted murders in which it has been used. But, be reassured that murder by poison is not the threat it once was, thanks to laws which restrict access to such materials and to the skills of analytical chemists in detecting their presence in incredibly tiny amounts.

How can a plant as beautiful as the foxglove be so deadly and yet for more than a century be used to treat heart disease? The same is true of other naturally occurring molecules as will be revealed in these two books from award-winning author and chemist, John Emsley. Molecules of Murder and More Molecules of Murder deal with potential poisons from man-made and natural sources. Both books investigate the crimes committed with them, not from the point of view of the murderers, their victims, or the detectives, but from the poison used. In so doing the books throw new light on how these crimes were carried out and ultimately how the perpetrators were uncovered and brought to justice. The crimes include those committed by infamous murderers and also famous victims like Harold Shipman, Alexander Litvinenko and Georgi Markov. Each chapter starts by looking at the target molecule itself, its discovery, its chemistry, its often-surprising use in medicine, its effects on the human body, and its toxicology. The rest of the chapter is devoted to murders and attempted murders in which it has been used. But, be reassured that murder by poison is not the threat it once was, thanks to laws which restrict access to such materials and to the skills of analytical chemists in detecting their presence in incredibly tiny amounts.

How can a plant as beautiful as the foxglove be so deadly and yet for more than a century be used to treat heart disease? The same is true of other naturally occurring molecules as will be revealed in these three books which examine poisons, both natural and man-made, and the crimes committed with them, not from the point of view of the murderers, their victims, or the detectives, but from the poison used. Molecules of Murder: Criminal Molecules and Classic Cases, More Molecules of Murder and Poisons and Poisonings: Death by Stealth throw new light on how these crimes were carried out, how the perpetrators were uncovered and brought to justice and information about how forensic analysis is conducted. Appealing to scientists and non-scientists alike, these enthralling books will entertain and educate and bring the reader up to date with how important chemical analysis is in crime detection.

Molecules of Murder is about infamous murderers and famous victims; about people like Harold Shipman, Alexander Litvinenko, Adelaide Bartlett, and Georgi Markov. Few books on poisons analyse these crimes from the viewpoint of the poison itself, doing so throws a new light on how the murders or attempted murders were carried out and ultimately how the perpetrators were uncovered and brought to justice. Part I includes molecules which occur naturally and were originally used by doctors before becoming notorious as murder weapons. Part II deals with unnatural molecules, mainly man-made, and they too have been dangerously misused in famous crimes. The book ends with the most famous poisoning case in recent years, that of Alexander Litvinenko and his death from polonium chloride. The first half of each chapter starts by looking at the target molecule itself, its discovery, its history, its chemistry, its use in medicine, its toxicology, and its effects on the human body. The second half then investigates a famous murder case and reveals the modus operandi of the poisoner and how some were caught, some are still at large, and some literally got away with murder. Molecules of Murder will explain how forensic chemists have developed cunning ways to detect minute traces of dangerous substances, and explain why some of these poisons, which appear so life-threatening, are now being researched as possible life-savers. Award winning science writer John Emsley has assembled another group of true crime and chemistry stories to rival those of his highly acclaimed Elements of Murder.

Hand cream, detergent, shower gel, toothpaste, toilet cleaner, air freshener, lipstick, perfume, low-fat spread, painkiller, diet drink, insect repellent... hundreds of everyday products that make our lives so much better than those of our forebears. And yet most of us know little about the ingredients they contain and why they deliver the benefits we enjoy. Some people find it worrying when they examine the list of ingredients on a packaging label, because all they read may be unintelligible names or E numbers. It appears to be just chemicals, chemicals, chemicals. The aim of this book is to examine the ingredients more closely and explain the reasons for their being used. Start reading and stop worrying. Chemistry at Home has been written by award-winning popular science writer and chemist, John Emsley, using non-technical language. The book has 12 chapters, each devoted to the kinds of products we are likely to find around the home, including in the garage and the garden shed. Chemistry at Home also includes a glossary which gives more technical information about the molecules mentioned in the book.

The world stands at a crossroads. What route to the future should we take? The road to a sustainable future beckons, but what effect will this have on chemistry, which appears so dependent on fossil resources? This book shows how vital chemistry is for producing abundant food, clean water, healing drugs, alternative fuels, and plastics, and how most of the things which a modern society requires now depend on it - and that includes city living and even sport. Written in an appealing style, this lay person''s guide explains the roles of chemistry in areas of life ranging from the entirely personal to the global, as well as deconstructing several urban myths about chemicals.

Aller guten Dinge sind drei: nach den Bestsellern "Parfum, Portwein, PVC" und "Sonne, Sex und Schokolade" bietet "Fritten, Fett und Faltencreme" viel Neues zum Thema Chemie im Alltag. Was muss ein guter Sonnenschutz leisten? Welchen Einfluï¿1⁄2 hat das chemische Element Selen auf die Mï¿1⁄2nnlichkeit? Wie wird unsere Haut besonders geschmeidig? Sind Diamanten tatsï¿1⁄2chlich die besten Freunde der Frauen? All diese Fragen und viele mehr beantwortet John Emsley, Literaturpreistrï¿1⁄2ger der Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker, in bewï¿1⁄2hrter und amï¿1⁄2santer Manier.

Besser aussehen, leben, lieben - wer will das nicht? Bestsellerautor John Emsley kennt den Weg, der direkt zum Ziel fï¿1⁄2hrt: die Chemie. Ob es um Haarfï¿1⁄2rbemittel, Kondome oder funktionelle Nahrung geht: Es ist ebenso unterhaltsam wie erstaunlich zu lesen, was der Autor hier zu berichten weiï¿1⁄2. In fiktiven Meldungen entwirft er Zukunftsszenarien, in erhellenden Exkursen entfï¿1⁄2hrt er in die Vergangenheit. So schï¿1⁄2rft Emsley das Bewusstsein des Lesers dafï¿1⁄2r, wie viele nï¿1⁄2tzliche, mitunter geradezu segensreiche Produkte ihren Ursprung in der chemischen Forschung haben. Denn wer lieï¿1⁄2e sich als Zahnersatz schon gerne die Zï¿1⁄2hne Verstorbener eingliedern, wie massenhaft z. B. nach der Schlacht von Waterloo im Jahre 1815 geschehen? Auch die Beschreibung der ersten, zentimeterdicken glï¿1⁄2sernen Kontaktlinsen liest sich wenig verlockend. Chemisch hergestellte Stoffe sind nicht mehr wegzudenken aus unserem Alltag, werden bestï¿1⁄2ndig weiterentwickelt, und sind, so der Autor, viel besser als ihr Ruf. Nach Emsleys Beschreibungen vor sich hin gï¿1⁄2render Naturkosmetika und hochallergener Hennafï¿1⁄2rbemittel erstrahlen auch in den Augen des kritischen Verbrauchers chemisch erzeugte Zusatzstoffe in Nahrung und Kosmetik in neuem Glanz.

Another fascinating title from best-selling author Emsley on grooming, health, food and sex, while discussing recent advances in chemistry and their impact on our everyday lives. Includes many classic examples and future prospects, written in an easily comprehensible style.

Eine "Das Beste aus..." Kollektion des Erfolgautors John Emsley. Vertreten sind seine Bestseller: Fritten, Fett und Faltencreme; Wenn Essen krank macht; Sonne, Sex und Schokolade; Parfum, Portwein, PVC. Die populärsten Geschichten aus dem Alltag in einem Buch zusammengefasst: Essen, Hygiene, Laster, Gesundheit, Kosmetik; die Stoffe, aus denen die Welt besteht...

Emsleys preisgekrönter Erfolgstitel Parfum, Portwein, PVC... Chemie im Alltag verlangte eine Fortsetzung. Hier ist sie! Entdecken Sie, warum Schokolade uns glücklich macht, was im Körper passiert, wenn Männer von der Liebe träumen, welche Geheimnisse Coca-Cola in sich birgt und ob Mozarts Tod nicht ein ärztlicher Kunstfehler war? Die Geheimnisse der Natur zu ergründen und zu entschlüsseln, scheint ein fast unlösbares Unterfangen zu sein. Keineswegs gefährlich wie eine Polarexpedition, sondern sehr vergnüglich, äußerst kurzweilig und lebendig kann eine solche Entdeckungsreise zum Breitengrad der Chemie mit John Emsley sein. Wissenschaftliche Informationen, historische Details, unterhaltsame Anekdoten und eine gute Portion Humor verwebt er zu fesselnden Geschichten, bei denen überraschende Wendungen garantiert nicht fehlen! Stimmen zum Buch: "Willkommen bei John Emsleys persönlichem und informativem Rundgang durch die Welt der Moleküle - allesamt Meisterwerke der Natur. Die Welt der Chemie wurde nie unterhaltsamer als in diesem erstaunlichen Reiseführer beschrieben." Roald Hoffmann, Cornell University "John Emsley ist der perfekte Führer durch die Welt der Chemie: stets weckt er den Wunsch nach noch mehr Geschichten, noch mehr Informationen!" Carl Djerassi, Stanford University

Wie starb Napoleon? An seinen Tapeten, lautet die wahrscheinlich richtige Antwort. Zu seiner Zeit begann man zwar, Papier-Tapeten mit Mustern herzustellen, aber mit dem Herstellen schöner, kräftiger Farben hatte man Schwierigkeiten. FÃ1/4r GrÃ1/4n, Gelb und Orange war man unverzichtbar auf Arsenhaltige Farben angewiesen. Sie können sich sicherlich vorstellen, dass ein Leben in solchermaßen tapezierten Räumen nicht ohne Folgen blieb. Nicht nur zu Arsen, das natÃ1/4rlich auch in anderer Form verabreichen kann, sondern auch zu Quecksilber, Antimon, Blei und Thallium erzählt Emsely Geschichten. Die wenigsten genannten Personen starben unfreiwillig an den Vergiftungen wie Napoleon, Newton oder Charles II, sondern die spektakulären Fälle waren natÃ1/4rlich Morde. Erst die immer weiter verbesserten Untersuchungsmethoden erlaubten es im Laufe der Zeit, Mörder zu Ã1/4berfÃ1/4hren. Allerdings zeigt Emsley auch, dass Mord-Methoden Ã1/4ber die er erzählt, bis heute noch nicht ausgestorben sind. Und nach wie vor gilt: Wo kein Verdacht ist, wird auch nicht gesucht. Auch ohne Chemiekenntnisse kann man den spannend wie ein Krimi geschriebenen Aufsätzen bis zum letzten Buchstaben folgen.

How can a chemical we need on a daily basis to keep us healthy be fatal at a different dose? Why should elements that are intrinsically dangerous be used in medicine? How did poisoners use the chemical properties of chemicals to cover their tracks? Emsley gives detailed histories of five of the most toxic elements - arsenic, antimony, lead, mercury, and thallium, highlighting some of the most famous murders and how the murderers used the chemical properties of elements to hide what they were doing. He shows how the elements have been behind many modern day environmental catastrophes including accidental mass poisonings from lead and arsenic, and the Minamata Bay Disaster in Japan. The array of fascinating stories shows how chemicals have impacted the lives of people ranging from the Greeks and Romans to Newton, Napoleon, Lucrezia Borgia, Mozart, Nelson Mandela, and Saddam Hussein. Emsley also touches on subjects close to home: cot deaths, laxatives, venereal disease, alleged cures for acne, hangovers, and insanity.

Vanity, Vitality, and Virility is a fascinating portrait gallery of chemicals involved in our everyday life, from Viagra and selenium to whispering asphalt, nappies, and chewing gum. While it will not advise you what to do if you want to improve your looks, your health, your peace of mind or your sex life, it explains the science behind many of the products that claim to be able to do just that. Chemistry is too often associated with poisonous gases and strange bubbling solutions, yet it is all around us, and inside us too. Renowned science communicator John Emsley lifts the lid on the secrets inside the products we use every day.

Gels douche, crèmes anti-âge, couches pour bébés, antidépresseurs, stimulants sexuels, compléments alimentaires... Que cachent ces nouveaux produits de consommation courante ? Comment agissent-ils sur notre corps et sur notre psychisme ? Faut-il en avoir peur ? À ces questions, John Emsley apporte des réponses claires et constructives. L''auteur passe au crible une trentaine de produits phares que nous utilisons régulièrement pour nous rendre plus beaux, plus propres, améliorer notre régime alimentaire, stimuler notre désir sexuel, tuer les germes ou éviter la dépression... Il nous explique pourquoi ça marche et comment ces substances ont été découvertes. À travers informations utiles et anecdotes, l''auteur démystifie avec humour et légèreté cette " chimie du quotidien " qui améliore notre vie !

Ein Hauch Chanel No. 5, ein Honigbrötchen zum Frühstück, das Bier zum Abendessen und, wenn es ein Glas zuviel war, eine Kopfschmerztablette am nächsten Morgen... Was haben diese Dinge gemeinsam? Richtig, es sind Gemische chemischer Substanzen! Ob wir sie als Genuß empfinden oder ob sie uns suspekt sind, wie PVC, Nitrat oder Kohlendioxid, sie gehören zu unserem Alltag. John Emsley vermittelt fundiertes Hintergrundwissen zu Chemikalien, mit denen wir täglich zu tun haben. Die Zusammenhänge werden einfach und locker beschrieben, so daß der Laie sie mühelos nachvollziehen kann. Die Argumentation ist stets sachlich; Risiken und Gefahren werden in Relation zum jeweiligen Nutzen bestimmter Stoffe oder Technologien dargestellt. Das Buch veranschaulicht chemische Fragen und Phänomene von der Ernährung bis zum Treibhauseffekt. Damit kann der Nichtfachmann sich eine Meinung bilden und öffentliche Diskussionen kompetent bewerten.