More than any other science, the history of chemistry is intimately linked to human history. Chemical technology has fostered the development of civilizations, altered the course of wars, generated the industrial revolution, and created the petroleum and plastics that fuel and shape our modern world. In this fascinating and significant book Cathy Cobb and Harold Goldwhite, two respected scientists and writers, have teamed up to present a wonderfully rich story of chemistry - celebrating not only theories and breakthroughs, but the provocative times and personalities that shaped this amazing science and brought it to life.