Napoleon's Buttons

Napoleon's Buttons is a book that tells both the stories and chemical structures of seventeen molecules and compounds that changed human history, thus blending chemistry and history. The molecules discussed constitute the building blocks of substances that we frequently use or witness being used in daily life (spices, vitamin C, sugar, silk and nylon, dyes, aspirin, birth control pills, morphine-nicotine-caffeine, olive oil, salt, etc.). We are learning how these substances, which seem very ordinary to us and whose existence we are very accustomed to, triggered important events in the past: geographical discoveries and migrations, colonialism and slavery, revolutionary developments in medicine and engineering, the transformation of gender roles and cultural structures, serious destruction in the natural environment... We see what people risk to obtain these substances and how big a role coincidences play in this process.

About the Authors: Penny Cameron Le Couteur: Born in 1943 in Auckland, New Zealand. After completing his undergraduate education and master's degree at the University of Auckland, he completed his doctorate in physical organic chemistry at the University of California. He worked as a chemistry professor at Capilano University in Canada for many years and was awarded the Polysar Award in 1988 for his success in teaching chemistry. Le Couteur, who has contributed to many chemistry-related projects, from distance education courses to textbooks, currently lives in Vancouver.

JAY BURRESON: He was born in 1942. He completed his graduate education at the University of Hawaii and continued his postdoctoral research on chemistry at the same university. Burreson, who has worked in the field of industrial chemistry for many years, is currently the general manager of a high-technology company in Oregon.

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(From the Promotional Bulletin)



Number of Pages: 376

Year of Printing: 2014


Language: Turkish
Publisher: Metis Publishing

Prepared by: Özde Duygu Gürkan

Dough Type: 2nd Dough

Number of Printings: 2nd Edition

Size: 14x21

First Printing Year: 2014

Number of Pages: 376

Media Type: Paperback

Language Turkish