Chain Reaction How Chemistry Shapes Us and Our World

"Intriguing." - Publishers Weekly

"It's rare to see 'joyful' and 'funny' used to describe books about chemistry, but this engaging offering on the history of chemicals and their ubiquitous presence comes from particle nanoscientist, inventor, and Dame Commander of the British Empire Uchegbu, a thought-provoking teacher and marvelous storyteller. Uchegbu combines expertise with accessible, relatable, and endlessly entertaining anecdotes drawn from her own experiences.... [She] serves up memorable revelations." - Booklist

"A research chemist based in London, [Uchegbu] presents the basic concepts of her discipline without referring to the diagrams and formulas many of us encountered in our high school chemistry classes. Instead, Uchegbu uses analogies such as a group of children on a playground-and a mischievous playmate with a tube of super glue-to illustrate different chemical bonds.... Snippets of autobiography add much to the accessibility of the book. And in addition to illustrating the ubiquity of chemical reactions in the world, they frequently comment on the way we relate to one another in society. Anyone interested in basic science but reluctant to wade into a maze of technical terminology will find this a congenial approach to a fascinating subject. An exuberant account of the role of chemistry in everyday life, with a wealth of down-to-earth examples." - Kirkus Reviews

"Ijeoma Uchegbu takes us on a captivating journey through the world of chemistry, revealing how chemical bonds shape not only the life around us but also the very fabric of our daily lives. Her fascination with molecules is infectious, and her joy in chemistry shines through every page. This book is an inspiration to following your passion and forming your own bonds with the world of science." - John-Arne Rottingen, CEO Wellcome Trust

"Since everything is made of atoms and chemistry is about how atoms fit together to make the world, what field of human knowledge could be more important and all-encompassing than chemistry. Nowhere have I seen chemistry described so lucidly, comprehensively and fun. Uchegbu's passion and joy shines from every page." - Jim Al-Khalili, author of The World According to Physics

"I never thought that chemistry could be so fascinating and such fun. A brilliant book." - Baroness Manningham-Buller, Former Head of MI5 and former Chair of Wellcome

"This book will change how you see the world. An absorbing read which makes chemistry fascinating and fun, as well sparking hope through learning about the author's moving life story." - Julia Gillard, 27th Prime Minister of Australia, Chair of Wellcome Board

"Life through the prism of chemistry, illustrated by Ijeoma's life, is gripping and fascinating - from Egyptians to modern day, from Nigeria to Britain, and the chemistry of food and death. A great read!" - Professor Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College, University of Cambridge, Former Chief Medical Officer, United Kingdom

"Uchegbu - Dame, inventor, nanoscientist and one of the most original minds in her field - has spent a career harnessing the invisible architecture of molecules to transform medicine. In Chain Reaction, she turns that same precise, warm intelligence to the chemistry that makes us who we are and shapes how we live. This is chemistry as memoir, metaphor, primer and love letter. It leaves you awestruck at how deftly we've bent chemistry to our will - and mindful of how urgently we must now use it to repair what we've broken." - Roger Highfield, Science Director of the Science Museum

"Where would we be without chemistry quietly holding our chaotic world together? Every aspect of life is chemically mediated: from our DNA, resting tightly within our cells, to how we treat illnesses and physically build our world, to the chemical makeup of PFAs - the "forever chemicals" that are so terrifyingly good at sticking around. In her book, Chain Reaction, Ijeoma Uchegbu, professor of pharmaceutical nanoscience at University College London, reminds us of this science we take for granted and tells us about the chemistry which has shaped her own life." - New Scientist