Philip Ball is a science writer and a consultant editor for Nature, where he was formerly an editor for physical science for over 10 years. He writes about all areas of science for the international press, and has broadcast on TV and radio. His previous books include Designing the Molecular World, The Self-Made Tapestry, H20:A Biography of Water and The Ingredients: A Guided Tour of the Elements . He holds a degree in chemistry from Oxford University and a doctorate in physics from Bristol University. He lives in London, where his Homunculus Theatre Company occasionally performs on a shoestring budget.

Review from previous edition If the intimate workings of molecules seem invisible, through Philip Ball's lively pros we see them--coming to life, helping us live. A special delight of this excellent book is the tie that emerges between the wondrous molecules of nature and those chemists make in the laboratory.

• 1. Engineers of the Invisible: Making molecules ; 2. Vital Signs: The molecules of life ; 3. Take the Strain: Materials from molecules ; 4. The Burning Issue: Molecules and energy ; 5. Good Little Movers: Molecular motors ; 6. Delivering the Message: Molecular communication ; 7. The Chemical Computer: Molecular informatoin ; Notes and Further Reading