Organic Chemistry As a Second Language: First Semester Topics 4th Edition

Great resource manual for organic chemistry

ok this gets a review like anything else. it’s a great book, a staple in any O chem class really. but let’s be real, my copy acquired some serious tear stains from the crying associated with the class. outside of that, and the fact that you don’t really get to truly choose to purchase this book (the prof decides obviously) it’s a helpful tool and I advise you actually do the problems in the book and follow the explanations.

Some of the basics like the line structures, shorter way of drawing the compound, are really important and the problems that Klein gives you help a ton, as my professor didn’t assign any problems to learn them, and next lecture he assumed everyone knew how to do it, and I was grateful that I had practiced as the book shows you in the firs time chapter also, and I started going over it the day before the 2nd class of the semester. But for everyone else I the class, I could see how they would feel, as he never mentioned it the first class, so how could they know it was what they had to learn, by the 2nd class no less. I lucked out studying it early, as it was something I never did. Also the rest of the semester and even now the 2nd semester o-chem II, he has never taught it, just expects you to know it.Also some of the material he just explains better or simpler, it is how when you study you would try to explain it to yourselfSome was better taught by my professor but I doubt that anyone else would have the same kind. So it really helps as the problems build off slowly, while the book or lab might be way harder, here it builds to it slowly, so hard problems you just know how to handle for the most part the naming is maybe on the things that’s differently explained, as we didn’t do naming on some of the stuff he goes over here, but he also introduces the order differently, from gen chem II I got good at naming so I could tell he’s just approaching it from a different perspective but someone that news might have a harder time grasping it with this orderJust memorize the reactions, as learning how to derive the machism doesn’t help you much, you can but, just to save yourself time to do something more funTip for second semester Start covering Spectrum’s before it starts, the second semester book, which is more expensive, starts with aromatic ring (also common names of some) but we started with UV Spectrascopy, then IR, the NMR( which has 13C, and H(is), as derivatives following the same logic), Mass Spectrometry, but the time to really handle and understand is way longer than the time one would expect to cover, while also studying for other classes is almost impossible. If you don’t really want to cover this then just do NMR as it can be tricker than the rest And/ Or Mass spectrometry as it is also trickyAll before the semester beginsIt’s almost like a physics problem as you really have to know what each part means to keep doing the rest

As a survivor, I can tell you OChem is dark and magical, with few tales of success...you need to understand all of its secrets, if you want to master this course! Klein took this ancient language and broke it down for us common folks to understand (thanks, by the way!). I didn't have a solid foundation in both Orgo I & II, and now I'm playing catch up as I prep for the MCAT (the joys of hindsight). I have both books, and they have filled in CRATERS of missing OChem knowledge. The explanations are clear and thorough, with plenty of practice problems and answers to build your confidence. Best advice: understand HOW mechanisms work (e.g. arrow pushing and electron movement are LIFE), keep more than one book on a subject and practice...Most importantly, reaffirm your faith in yourself everyday, and in life. You'll start believing in magic!

I bought this book as a “recommended” suplement to my “required” EXPENSIVE textbook. Let me tell you, I did not understand anything from the required textbook and it was only confusing and intimidating. Klein on the otherhand, literally saved my life in this class. He makes everything so clear and simple and uses alot of examples and analogies that make it so understable. He also has some of the best practice problems that talk you through every single concept by breaking it down into all the parts you need to master and grasp the overall picture and actually understand how to do the questions. I bought the electronic version but i’ve seen the paper copy that my friend has and it is as good. BUY THIS IT IS A LIFE SAVER!

I got this book to read through over the summer before I took ochem a couple of years ago after I finished my second semester of gen chem. It was simple to read and understand, and the practice problems were definitely a plus. I was 35 years old and had never had any previous exposure to organic chemistry, and with the help of this book and regular group study sessions, I finished with an A+. This book is definitely worth it, especially if you are intimidated by the class and want to spend some time prepping.

I would give 5 stars if the electronic version is compatible with window 8. please fix the issue! Otherwise, it is a perfect book to help you learn O Chem.

Such a well-written, easy-to-follow book! Made me fall in love with ochem!

I bought this book first and it got me through first term Orgo. My University uses the Klein textbook, so this book is perfect, It walks you through the course in the same order as the textbooks, but with more straightforward examples and the practice problems build you up nicely, rather than how they jump to impossible super quick in the text book. I can't recommend this and the second term version enough. They're expensive, but kept Orgo from destroying my GPA

I have the second part as well, both are just simply brilliant in the way that everything is structured! Very pleased with the purchase, I would recommend it to anyone who would like to study organic chemistry.

I purchased this text, as well as the second one (Second Semester Topics) on a recommendation that it was an excellent book for those who don't have a background in chemistry but who want to fast track their knowledge. Having purchased both of the books in the series, I found the treatment of topics to be virtually incomprehensible. No introduction, no 'baby steps'. It is a book for those who already know the material. If chemistry is your thing, then you may find something that is interesting or useful. It is NOT a primer for the uninitiated.

I failed my Organic chemistry class because the study book we were told to buy was mainly focused on theory. There were only 3-4 exercises per chapter which is not enough to learn such a vast topic. I bought this book and next semester I will give that class another go. I wish I saw this book before taking the class.

This book makes organic chemistry very easy to follow and do, great practice problems and explains thing simply! Book came with no damage from mail and such.