Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History

I loved this book enough to recommend it on my book recommendations email list. I never learned much about chemistry in school, but this book helped me understand it better. It presents various molecules, then presents how those molecules were the most influential molecules in world history. Peppercorns, for example, (with the active ingredient, piperine) drove The Age of Discovery.That same Age of Discovery would have gone much more smoothly with Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). It's astonishing how many centuries it took for western sailors to recognize the importance of eating vegetables (the Chinese were growing ginger aboard ships as early as the fifth century). While some captains were catching on by accident, and some crews were still refusing to eat anything other than bread and meat, ships were being staffed with an extra 30–50% to account for the men who would inevitably die of scurvy. It wasn't until Scottish naval surgeon James Lind conducted an experiment in 1747, that the cure for scurvy was known. But, it was another forty years before the advice was implemented by the British navy – some believe because they actually wanted to keep their sailors weak and under control.Each chapter includes fascinating world history, viewed through the lens of the substances such as salt, oleic acid (olive oil), silk, and glucose, followed by a chemistry lesson. You can see how the various molecules are related to one another. The story behind "the pill" is particularly fascinating. It was a series of discoveries that had nothing to do with contraception, but rather to prevent miscarriages. Several discoveries before that, it was simply to be able to produce estradiol (a female sex hormone) without having to extract it from (literally) four tons of pig ovaries.

I've always been a fan of "what-if" storylines and historical non-fiction, so when I was required to read this book for class, I wasn't entirely disappointed. Burreson and LeCouteur are not only capable scientific authors, but capable authors as well. Though they present technical drawings and scientific jargon, they mitigate these with simple and effectual text. They give the facts of how these molecules changed and accentuate the impact of these molecules by describing the consequences if these molecules hadn't been discovered or used.For those who are infrequent or sporadic readers, the division of the book made it easy and enjoyable to read for someone who usually only read in-between class periods. I found chapters easily digestible, full of historical and scientific information, and even found myself surprised when I had a fair knowledge of the topic at hand.What I enjoyed most about the book though, was the fact that almost every molecule is commonplace today. There's nothing so far from popular culture that everyday people won't understand. Sure, most people may not know all the scientific names of witch herbs, but everyone's heard of the witch trials. Other sections like "The Pill" show just how relevant some of these molecules really are. Even without scientific designation or more descriptive detail, almost everyone is aware of what "the pill" is even with such an innocuously vague name.All in all, you could do way worse for required reading or scientific literature.

This is by far the most interesting book I've read this year (and is a definite contender for the "all-time" best, as well!)The premise of the book is "17 molecules that changed history." From cotton to caffeine, scopolamine to saponin, this book colorfully lays out both the chemical nature of these significant molecules, explaining how they function and WHY they work the way they do; it also illustrates the historical impact, going into great detail about how the course of history was heavily affected by the molecular properties of the topical substance.I find that when I'm learning something, the more connections I can form with an idea, the stronger my memory -- this book is a powerhouse in that regard; the knowledge of the structural nature of these compounds (at least the relevant functional groups, anyways) coupled with the historical relevance, creates memorable, almost mnemonic, impressions in my mind.For anyone that's a trivia buff, a science (particularly chemistry) or history afficionado, or just someone that loves to learn, I highly recommend this book.

I wish the authors could have taught my organic chemistry class, the one I failed (I repeated it later at another school and managed to pass, but never wanted to have anything to do with it again) and/or that this book could have been the text. Their selected topics are fascinating reading, as is their connecting molecules to human history.Some reviews have been negative about the structures, but that is the heart of organic chemistry, something I didn't understand until I read this book, and which they make so accessible and understandable (I did like biochemistry, perhaps because it seemed more applicable to me as a living example of the subject).And as a reader of lots of military history, I must say that nothing on Napoleon ever mentioned tin buttons.Anyway, buy it, read it, and enjoy it.

The historical episodes are generally well known, although it's always nice to have a little refresher. The chemistry is likewise comfortably basic, and is often preceded by a short introduction for those readers who never took a high school introduction to chemistry class. The book offers a unique combination of chemical diagrams and information juxtaposed against significant historical episodes that have shaped our world today. Any reader will finish this book with one or two more historical anecdotes than they were equipped with when they began reading, and perhaps a better understanding of some of the chemical underpinnings of our world. I would especially recommend this book to young readers, to whom more of the information within would be novel.

Disclaimer #1: I have a degree in biochemistry. I worked in both chemical and biochemical research for ten years including work with several of the compounds and procedures discussed in this book.Disclaimer #2: That was many, many years ago and I've forgotten a lot...but not everything.Okay, let's move on to my review.I like the "Napoleon's Buttons" part of the title and there are several references to said buttons throughout the book. However, the second part "How 17 molecules Changed History" is misleading. The book discusses a lot more than 17 molecules. In fact, in some chapters it seems to focus on chemically and structurally related molecules while in others it discards the nature of the molecules and focuses on their behavior and usefulness to humans. Still, in either case it does outline their effects on WESTERN history, seldom mentioning anything past the Middle East. Maybe that's fair, maybe not. It is hard to believe that the Japanese and Chinese did not have chemists or use minerals and herbs for the same purposes as the western world. Also, being somewhat fluent in the history of the Mongol people, I know that the Mongolian empire brought many Chinese inventions to India, Russia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Mongolia is not mentioned in the book though. Anyway, I think the focus is on western civilization at the expense of the rest of the world.For me, the history and the historical effects of these groups of molecules is fascinating. I don't remember learning any of this stuff either in school or in my subsequent work. I remember one time on Bill Mayer's show, Bill asked Neil deGrass Tyson if he didn't think the passage of the Affordable Care Act was a major milestone in human history (or something like that). Tyson replied that no, there are so many more important events, the discovery of antibiotics for example that are much more important. The real history makers, the real heroes who improved the human conditions were scientists. How true that is! And yet we hear little about them. Their stories are not discussed in school. In fact, the effects of their discoveries is passed over because they have become such a mundane part of our everyday lives.How readable is this book? I don't know what the non-scientific, or even non-chemist, would make of this. There are a lot of chemical terms and drawings of complex molecules that may be difficult to understand in spite of the introduction explaining how to read them. The authors do highlight important aspects of the chemicals but what that means to the average reader I have no idea.Do I recommend this book? Yes and no. Don't think it is going to be a light read of your typical historical events. It is much more difficult to understand chemistry than history. in my opinion. I gave it three stars because of this difficulty. For myself or other people with a chemistry background, particularly organic chemistry, I would rate it as a four. It doesn't get a five because it rambles.

I enjoyed this book very much. Each chapter is devoted to a particular molecule, e.g., glucose, silk, phenol, salt, etc., and discusses both its chemical structure and its significance to civilization. To a former engineer who somehow escaped even a smattering of organic chemistry, this book explained a lot in an easy-to-follow manner. The authors illustrate each molecule schematically, and in many cases show how a subtle difference in structure can lead to dramatic differences in chemical behavior. Makes me wish I had studied organic chemistry in college.The chapter on oleic acid (olive oil) was particularly interesting. I now understand what is meant by "saturated fat", "monounsaturated fat" and "trans-fat", and why soap works. A lot of information, easily absorbed.My only quibble is that the authors thought they had to conclude each chapter with a few paragraphs about "how this molecule changed history". That got tiresome, fast.

This book reminds me how ingenuous and destructive human beings can be. For examples, using naturally occuring pesticides (made by plants), human develops preservatives, antimalarials, and cardiac and respiratory medications.Meanwhile, due to the usefulness of and demands for spices, sugar, and addicted substances, humans beings exploit each other, culminating in the practice of slavery.So many chemicals have done good, but the same have done harm through folly and greed.These are all clearly delineated in this book. There are lots of historical and biographical facts. The chemistry of the substances described are touched upon in a very basic manner. No previous knowledge of chemistry is required. A fascinating book, if not at times depressing, on what human beings have achieved so far.

Sono rimasto piacevolmente sorpreso da come gli autori non abbiano lesinato sulle formule chimiche, ma abbiano deciso di renderle la chimica organica chiara e avvincente, immersa nella storia

Fantastically entertaining and informative book for anyone interested in organic chemistry and its impact on human experience. From exploding dresses to the impact of discoveries on traditional methods/ sourcing of naturally occurring chemicals like salt.We read it in a family book group, a couple if chapters a week, as my 90 year old father said he'd like to know more about organic chemistry. Yes. he is the epitomy of a very curious life long learner!While there are detailed diagrams along the way of molecular structures to explain why certain chemicals behave in certain ways you can choose how much or how little to engage with these. For me it was enough to have an overview of the structure that added to the fascination of understanding the impact it had on the way the chemical worked.Would highly recommend to anyone similarly curious about organic chemistry and wants to have some laughs along the way as well as revelations to another aspect of mankind's impact on our world, both good and bad.

For anybody with a knowledge of high school chemistry , the book is an excellent read

Scientific refresher.

Don't let the chemistry deter you! This is the chance to easily learn something about this science, brush up your general history and acquire a trove of little-known facts. A remarkably good standard of English makes reading of this book pleasurable as well as interesting.