Physical Chemistry

A previous reviewer stated that physical chemistry is complicated. As a retired NASA researcher with 44 years experience specializing in physical chemistry I readily acknowledge that physical chemistry can be a very challenging subject. But, personally, I have also found it to be immensely fascinating and rewarding. There are several good textbooks on physical chemistry but, in my opinion, none is better than this one. Levine has done a very good job of presenting the material contained in an understandable fashion without compromising scientific rigor. An earlier reviewer stated that this book is full of inaccuracies, but I strongly disagree with this statement. One example of an alleged inaccuracy which this reviewer cited is Levine`s statement that, at the velocity of light, photons have mass. This is a true statement; photons do indeed have both mass and momentum and thus can cause pressure on objects they strike. I beg you not to be biased against this outstanding book by this flawed review. The topic of physical chemistry -- in which chemistry, physics, and mathematics overlap and interact -- clearly does not appeal to everyone. Even many chemists shun the rigors of physical chemistry as much as possible. But for those studying this important subject, I highly recommend this book. And some of you may even come to love this fascinating subject as I do.

Reviewers who rate this book poorly are obviously not physical science or engineering majors. They blame Professor Levine's textbook for their own inability to grasp physical chemistry. Professor Levine's textbook is well organized, starting with first principles. All important topics and results are derived and explained, and Professor Levine points out common mistakes made by students. Chapters end in more advanced topics that one won't appreciate until they are in graduate school. Having used this textbook as an undergraduate gave me a lead over my colleagues in physical chemistry topics. To this day, it is the text I refer to most often when I need to resort to a chemistry reference. Students who can't appreciate the value of this work need to consider purchasing The Illustrated Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences.

I hear that there is a new edition... I know that it'll be just as good... Dr. Levine really presents everything in a very clear, well organized fashion... I particularly enjoy the entire section that deals with Stat. Mechanics towards the end... I must admit that the QM section is also brilliant... I think that last thing that really helps this book is the section that deals with Kinetic Molecular Theory, which is very sparsely dealt with in Atkins... I have to say that using this as a primary textbook and Atkins as a secondary textbook really presents all of the subject material. I really hope to met Dr. L someday... Perhaps he can autograph my well worn copy!!

Prof. Ira Levine - the author of this text -- teaches at my alma mater, Brooklyn College. When I was an undergraduate, I was fortunate enough to take him for both semesters of Physical Chemistry. I must admit that he is both a wonderful lecturer and a great author. Any serious Physical Chemistry student should consider his textbook, which is clearly, written and well-organized. If you have any questions regarding my experiences with the textbook and/or lectures, feel free to e-mail me.