Book excerpt: PRINCIPLES OF MODERN CHEMISTRY has dominated the honors and high mainstream general chemistry courses and is considered the standard for the course. The fifth edition is a substantial revision that maintains the rigor of previous editions but reflects the exciting modern developments taking place in chemistry today. Authors David W. Oxtoby and H. P. Gillis provide a unique approach to learning chemical principles that emphasizes the total scientific process'from observation to application'placing general chemistry into a complete perspective for serious-minded science and engineering students. Chemical principles are illustrated by the use of modern materials, comparable to equipment found in the scientific industry. Students are therefore exposed to chemistry and its applications beyond the classroom. This text is perfect for those instructors who are looking for a more advanced general chemistry textbook.