Book excerpt: `It must be more important to be skilled in thinking, than to be stuffed with facts.' Edward de Bono This innovative book has been designed to teach its readers how - and not just what - to think: to question, critically and creatively, and to make judgements. De Bono's philosophy is that it is possible to learn these skills, and the authors' aim has been to provide an active, problem-solving text written to inspire students of chemistry to think both effectively and professionally.