Radar, Hula Hoops and Playful Pigs

Joe Schwarcz tells it like it is. Whether he's plumbing the mysteries of
chicken soup or tracing the development of polyethylene, Schwarcz takes a
little history, adds a dash of chemistry, and produces a gem of an essay every
time. I wish he'd been my chemistry professor when I was in school. -
Christine Gorman, senior writer, Time Radar, Hula Hoops, and Playful Pigs
really does "tell it like it is" in 67 short, entertaining, and informative
pieces about chemistry in everyday life. Find out the latest about homeopathy
and alternative medicine. Fill up on facts about soybeans, tomatoes, tea,
ginseng, chicken soup, hot dogs, and the benefits of eating chalk. Explore the
science behind Alice's strange adventures in Wonderland, Rumpole's deadly
cheese soufflé, and Casanova's experiments with "Spanish Fly." Investigate the
nefarious chemistry of the KGB, the colors of urine, and the mysteries of
baldness. Find out how virgins can reduce anxiety and how Chinese Restaurant
Syndrome may increase it. Learn how shampoos really work, and discover which
cleaning agents must never be combined. Get rid of that skunk smell in a
jiffy, and get a whiff of what's behind the act of passing gas. Take a
painless glimpse into the discovery of anesthetics. Read about the ups and
downs of underwear, the invention of gunpowder, zombies in Haiti, Van Gogh's
brain, John Dillinger's chemical exploits, little Mikey's exploding stomach,
and Dinshah Ghadiali's bizarre attempts to cure disease with colored lights.
Even Houdini makes a magical appearance. Finally, discover the amazing links
between radar, hula hoops, and playful pigs! "It is hard to believe that
anybody could be drawn to such a 'dull and smelly' subject as chemistry until,
that is, one picks up Joe Schwarcz's book and is reminded that with every
breath and feeling one is experiencing chemistry. Schwarcz gets his chemistry
right, and hooks his readers." \- John C. Polanyi, Nobel Laureate "Dr.
Schwarcz has written a book that has done three things which are difficult to
do. First, the book is enormously enjoyable-it commands and holds your
attention. Second, it explains science and scientific phenomena in a simple
and yet accurate way. And third, it stimulates you to think logically and in
so doing, it will lead to a scientifically literate reader who will not be so
easily misled by those who wish to paint science and technology as being a
danger to humankind and the world around us. \- Michael Smith, Nobel Laureate