Description
Book SynopsisThere have been several attempts to write the history of Britain''s chemical industry as a whole, and countless others concentrating on individual companies. Some have looked at the technical aspects of the industry, whilst others have addressed economic issues. Few have, however, attempted to analyse the effects of the chemical industry on society in general. The current environmental crisis can only be fully understood in the light of its history. This is the first such book to look critically at the whole development of industrial chemistry in the UK in the context of its effects on the environment. No one from industry, government or academia can afford to be unaware of the historical roots of our present dilemma. Industrial chemists can take heart from the realization that their predecessors were remarkably aware of the problems and often found satisfactory solutions. Industrial chemistry has traditionally been seen as the great ''polluter''. Without any attempts at ''whitewash''
Trade Review"This is a fine book, and I will refer to it again and again ..." * ChemWeb Web Site, August 2000 *
"... recommended as a reference source containing much detailed information that would otherwise remain well hidden." * Angewandte Chemie, Vol 39, No 21, November 3, 2000 *
"... should appeal to anyone interested in the social and environmental impact of the chemical industry." * Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol 122, No 37, p 9056 *
"... one can only give this book the highest commendation for all those interested in the history of the chemical industry in the UK and its possible lessons for the present and the future." * Chromatographia, 2001, 53, March, No 5/6, p 347 *
"... scholarly and readable ... if you can afford just one book on industrial chemistry, make it this one." * Education in Chemistry, Vol 38, No 3, May 2001, p 83 *
"... a good reference book for libraries and is worth consulting by anyone who is looking at the chemical industry for the first time or needs a good overview." * Business History, Vol 43, No 2, April 2001 *
"Anyone interested in the roots of our industry ... should get hold of a copy." * Chemistry & Industry, No 9, 7 May 2001, p 281-282 *
"... an interesting and worthwhile ... work on the history of British chemical processing." * The Journal of the Society for Industrial Archaeology, Vol 27, No 1, 2001, p 47-48 *
"This volume will be of invaluable interest to historians of chemistry and of science, academic and industrial chemists, industrialists, politicians, science policy makers, and anyone concerned with the social and environmental impacts of the British chemical industry ... I recommend this authoritative, scholarly, but eminently readable history." * Chemical Educator, Vol 7, No 2, 2002, p 181 *
"Overall the volume provides a very useful account of the chemical industry that will satisfy chemists with a general interest in the history of chemistry. It will also satisfy historians who wish to gain an idea of the importance of the chemical industry to society over the last few centuries." * Environment and History, Vol 8, May 2002, No 2, p 241-243 *
"... tells the story of the British chemical industry's development and progress in a fresh, new, intelligent manner." * Journal of Chemical Education, Vol 79, No 5, May 2003, p 563-564 *
Table of ContentsRecords of the British Chemical Industry; The Shape of the British Chemical Industry; Origins of the British Chemical Industry; The Alkali Industry; The Nitrogen Industry; The British Pharmaceutical Industry; General and Fine Inorganic Chemicals; The Organic Chemicals Industry to the First World War; The Age of Polymers and Petrochemicals (Industrial Organic Chemistry from 1914); Metal Extraction and Refining; Chemical Industry and the Quality of Life; Index of Persons; Subject Index.
