In this stimulating work, Graham Richards provides general readers and students with an authoritative introduction to the central problems currently faced by chemistry. In clear, down-to-earth language he explains how atoms join to form molecules, and explores the major challenges preoccupying chemists, including the synthesis of new substances such as drugs, plastics, detergents and dyes. The book also examines the spectacular advances that have been made in the chemical understanding of genetics and the mechanisms of living organisms— a necessary prelude to genetic engineering—and considers the various ethical and social problems spawned by the new chemistry. Richards is a widely published author of many books and articles on chemistry.