Pushing Electrons

I bought the book before my OCHEM start because I wanted to get a head start. I also have David Klein's OCHEM as a second language. Even though the other book has much more good reviews than this one, personally, I think this one is better. I finished two chapters within a day and am very confident with a little more practice and the actual lecture, I'll have no problem in this course. OCHEM as a second language, on the other hand, has a very odd layout, in my opinion and the author's language is confusing despite his best intention. This book gives you a complete example, then another example with blank to fill in, and then another example with more blank, and eventually excises without any hint, it's a great way to learn a new "language" like organic chemistry. I actually rented the ebook and used my kindle, but I would recommend buying the actual paperback especially if you can find used ones in book price. It's not the most convienient flipping back and forth to check your answer in the ebook format, but it you want to save money ($10 renting three month as oppose to however much it is to buy the actual book) for a little more leg work, then ebook will do fine, just know it can get frustrating.

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH ORGANIC CHEMISTRY MECHANISMS, BUY THIS BOOK!It will be about 12-20 hours of self study and you will be able to do anything in this class. If you have just finished GEN CHEM I or II in most college level courses or AP Chemistry, then this will be a good primer for you for organic chem when you take. It can also help refresh your recollection of Lewis structures and hybridization.My only complaint is the price.I have owned both this version and the previous edition. There are some difference but not that many. If you can afford the newer edition then buy it since it has most of the mistakes corrected.IF YOU NEED TO SAVE MONEY: BUY THE PREVIOUS EDITION!!!! it can be bought used for about $1.00 on amazon and $4 shipping and it will do all you need.Whatever you choose, do it early in the semester like first 3 weeks. Since the fundamentals are Lewis structures and if you don't understand them then you will never understand organic chemistry and it is usually after the 1st test you know what you understand and what you don't.Another good book, is Organic Chemistry as a Second Language. I recommend that series too. If you are struggling, DO NOT GIVE UP, YOU CAN DO IT, JUST GET HELP and don't be embarrassed since learning is different for everyone but true mastery will always lie with you and no one else!

Like, everyone else who isn't MENSA, I struggled with the reaction chemistry in O-chem. To be better prepared for the 2nd half of the course I starting working through this manual.I found it exhaustive, thorough, well laid out and deeply informative. I recommend this book to everyone who is considering taking organic chemistry.It won't take long to get through, and it filed in the gaps of my understanding of reaction chemistry.

It is good at explaining the theory of bonding of organic chemicals and why they behave as they do. It really helps to understand the mechanisms that occur in the reactions and lays it out in a simple way.

This is great for first year organic chem! It helped me pass my class and easier to understand.

The paper is glossy and hard to write on

I think this book could really help certain students, but many (including myself) might not see much benefit from this book and may find it annoying because of its repetitiveness. If you are comfortable drawing lewis structures, I would recommend just buy Klein’s First Semester Topics Book, and use that as a supplementary book. If you are a student that struggles to draw a lewis structure or count formal charges then you absolutely need this book. This book will benefit you most if you complete it 2-3 weeks before organic one starts, I think once the class starts it will move too fast for you to get the basics. Week’s book is highly repetitive, so there is plenty of practice to improve yourself and there are answers to all the questions.

This is an excellent book for someone to review BEFORE taking organic chemistry. It is basic enough that you can go through it in a few hours and learn on your own. Remember it's not a stand alone for organic chem students, it's a good intro starter.