Chemistry and Our Universe

How It All Works

By: Ron B. Davis, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Ron B. Davis

Our world is ruled by chemistry. It is the study of matter and energy at the scale of atoms and molecules. As the most all-embracing discipline there is, it should be at the top of everyone’s list of must-learn subjects.

Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works is your in-depth introduction to this vital field, taught through 60 engaging half-hour lectures that are suitable for any background or none at all. Covering a year’s worth of introductory general chemistry at the college level, plus intriguing topics that are rarely discussed in the classroom, this amazingly comprehensive course requires nothing more advanced than high-school math. Your guide is Professor Ron B. Davis, Jr., a research chemist and award-winning teacher at Georgetown University.

With passion and humor, Professor Davis guides you through the fascinating world of atoms, molecules, and their remarkable interactions, showing you how to think, analyze problems, and predict outcomes like a true expert in the field.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

Life changing

After listening to this I've become excited enough to pursue university studies in chemistry! I high recommend this course. Professor Davis gives detailed history of chemistry at a pace that keeps the course moving but educates the listener and maintains interest. The included PDF file is a great aid to the audio, definitely download!

Trying to figure out an interest for study has been quite difficult. There are so many different fields that interest me. While listening to Chemistry and our Universe, the processes and history were told in a way that made anything seem attainable through chemistry. This pinpointed my interest. Many times I almost jump off my equipment at work getting so excited about some of the information! Now my mind is racing with all new ideas and questions!

Long

Long, but you survive. Lots of boaring an interesting parts or is chemistry after all.

Amazing

I have listened to this book many times. It has helped me understand chemistry better. Just good to listen while driving

lecture

it is written to go with a lecture in a lab, written like a text book, not back for comprehension.

Good with a couple issues

This was obviously a visual presentation converted to audio without revision. It's sometimes impossible to follow as he references images, demonstrations, or animations as he talks and leaves out equations that are presumably shown in his display. The PDF, though lacking animations/demonstrations, is extensive, but if I could read a visual text, I would read the open source chemistry texts online. Verbal descriptions of the visual elements would help.
Also - exclusive language is distracting. Not everyone is a man. Constant references to man and mankind got increasingly irritating.
In general, there is a ton of good information here, mostly well explained and excellently narrated. Although each lecture begins with sometimes simplistic examples or metaphors, the course is well organized and thorough and not dumbed down (there is plenty of math, often difficult to follow in audio format). I needed an overview of chemistry before going back to graduate school. Although this is not a substitute for an interactive course, it was a great wrap-up of principles and topics, and I believe it will be very helpful.
Chemistry is amazing and cool. This course kept my attention for all 60 chapters and still will when I listen to it again. Good purchase.

Great audiobook

Great presentations. Dr Davis does a good job is connecting everything to real life situations. Kept me engaged throughout

Missing something, but good!

Very interesting! Missing some of it by not being able to watch the demonstrations but good nonetheless.

too much missing without the visual

Too much missing without the visual. I will try the Great Courses video instead. Will ask for a refund after chapter about bonding. A bit dry matterial to chew on. Especially audio only.

Fascinating!

Why didn't I pay more attention to chemistry when I was in school? It's suddenly extremely interesting to me and this Audible selection really made it seem fun. I look forward to my kids needing help with their chemistry homework, so I can learn along with them!

NOT FOR A LAYMAN

WARNING: Professor Davis successfully interests a layman in the field of chemistry. However, this is not a simple introduction to chemistry. At best, it will spark a dilatant’s interest; at worst, it will lead a neophyte to look elsewhere for an easier understanding of the subject.

Davis's lectures are well done. Davis provides a lot of information with a summary of what has been said at the end of each lecture. His lectures offer interesting facts about chemistry, the world’s origin; its survival, and hopeful continuation. Where it loses some of its utility is in calculations for chemical reaction, equilibration, and energy use. Not that these calculations are not important but are too detailed for the merely curious.