By tackling the most central ideas in chemistry, Why Chemical Reactions Happen provides the reader with all the tools and concepts needed to think like a chemist. The text takes a unified approach to the subject, avoiding the traditional divisions of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry and so helps the reader to develop a real overview of chemical processes.

1. What this book is about and who should read it ; 2. What makes a reaction go? ; 3. Ionic interactions ; 4. Electrons in atoms ; 5. Electrons in simple molecules ; 6. Electrons in larger molecules ; 7. Reactions ; 8. Equilibrium ; 9. Rates of reaction ; 10. Bonding in extended systems - conjugation ; 11. Substitution and elimination reactions ; 12. The effects of the solvent ; 13. Leaving groups ; 14. Competing reactions

I feel that Peter and James have done a tremendous job of explaining chemical reactions using perspectives that are not used in traditional text books. They explain reactions in terms of bonding theories and orbitals rather than solely using kinetics and equilibrium. The author's use of visual representations throughout the book increases the comprehension of the material covered in the text. I look forward to using this textbook in my organic chemistry courses. Physical Sciences Educational Reviews 2004.

I am impressed by this ambitious book and its accomplishments. Probing why and how chemical reactions occur is a challenge the authors meet with enthusiasm and aplomb. I found the text very informative, presenting many attention-grabbing approaches to the development of topics. Journal of Chemical Education, February 2004. 'The novel structure of the book, offering in just 200 pages many stimulating insights into a lot of (sometimes difficult) material usually taught in a different way, makes it an attractive purchase'. Chemistry World, p74. October 2004. The book does not have exhaustive coverage or detailed mathematical treatment of many of the topics taught at university. Instead, the text introduces and develops a wide variety of concepts as they are required to explain observations. The result is a thoroughly readable and enlightening book that draws together ideas in such a way as to answer the very questions that students will ask.....I recommend this book to schools for their more searching pupils, and to all students embarking on university chemistry courses.' Education in Chemistry, March 2004. "A good A-level student or first-year undergraduate should find the book enjoyable to read and benefit from it". The Biochemist, April 2004.

Unique unified approach helps the reader to see the connections between different ideas and concepts across the traditional divisions of chemistry Mathematical content is kept to a minimum, making the book suitable for readers from all backgrounds Informal written style with the emphasis on understanding through models and real examples keeps the text accessible and relevant Builds on and reinforces students' prior knowledge by expanding on many ideas and examples first encountered at school or college All the figures from the book will be available to download free from the Online Resource Centre Numerous illustrations, many custom drawn, support the explanations given in the text

James Keeler studied Chemistry at Oxford graduating in 1981. He continued at Oxford working under Professor Ray Freeman, FRS, on new techniques in high resolution NMR spectropscopy; he was awarded the D.Phil in 1984. Later that year he moved to the Department of Chemistry in Cambridge appointed first as a University Demonstrator, then subsequently as a University Lecturer and Senior Lecturer. His research interests continue in NMR and he has published around 60 papers in this area. In 1994 James was appointed as Director of Teaching in the Department. He is a Fellow of Selwyn College and there has been very involved in the teaching of Chemistry and the Natural Sciences, as well as other aspects of the academic and administrative life of the College. In 1989 he was awarded the Meldola Medal by the Royal Society of Chemistry and in 1998 he received a Pilkington Teaching Prize from the University of Cambridge. Peter Wothers studied Chemistry at Cambridge, graduating in 1991 before undertaking a PhD under Professor A.J.Kirby on stereoelectronic effects and conformational analysis in organic chemistry. In 1996 he was appointed to the newly established post of 'Teaching Fellow' in the Department of Chemistry. He lectures to the undergraduates and also runs the physical chemistry practical courses. He is involved in teaching chemistry to all age groups from giving demonstration lectures to the general public and school children to running courses for teachers designed to update their subject knowledge. In 2002 he was awarded a Pilkington Teaching Prize from the University. During his time at Cambridge, Peter has remained at St Catharine's College where, amongst other things, he is the Director of Studies in Chemistry.

Unique unified approach helps the reader to see the connections between different ideas and concepts across the traditional divisions of chemistry Mathematical content is kept to a minimum, making the book suitable for readers from all backgrounds Informal written style with the emphasis on understanding through models and real examples keeps the text accessible and relevant Builds on and reinforces students' prior knowledge by expanding on many ideas and examples first encountered at school or college All the figures from the book will be available to download free from the Online Resource Centre Numerous illustrations, many custom drawn, support the explanations given in the text