Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Quantum Physics for the Non Physiscist July 31, 2008
This is a great introduction for Quantum Physics. It is not nearly as rigorous as the Physics books, and is actually enjoyable to read. I recommend reading this before taking quantum physics, or concurrently.
 Heavier than Atkins, lighter than Levine January 4, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I used this book as a supplement to Levine in an honors Pchem class. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by the readability of McQuarrie's text. The material is clearly presented, the progression is very well structured. McQuarrie's lightweight presentation and mathematical asides made my journey through the material relatively smooth and rapid; a refreshing breeze after the heavy roaring of Levine's more exacting and thorough treatment of the subject.
As a bonus for those of us who like to learn by doing, a very well written and comprehensive solution manual is available for the text.
A very nice starting point. October 3, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I think the point of the book was to prove to those interested how simple the math and concepts of introductory quantum chemistry really are. I think your average college sophomore in chemistry can pick up this book and get enough of an introduction to be capable of doing well in a physical chemistry course after reading it. I enjoyed it.
excellent book for undergrads April 18, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm not going to repeat what other reviewers have said other than to note that this book covers the mathematics of quantum in sufficient detail so that you're never lost. Quantum is hard enough as it is without authors skimping on explictness.
Other books for undergrad quantum chem:
Quantum Chemistry (5th Edition) by Ira N. Levine. 6th edition coming soon. This book is also strong.
Molecular Quantum Mechanics by Atkins, Friedman. I used an earlier version of this book and found it very confusing. Skips lots of steps in the math and writing as not as clear as it should be.
But you should get the dictionary by Atkins entitled "Quanta: A Handbook of Concepts". very helpful.
Can also try the classic "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics with Applications to Chemistry" by Linus Pauling, E. Bright Wilson, Jr. First published in 1935 but still viable after 70 years!
If you want to start with some simpler books look at:
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd Edition) by David J. Griffiths (ISBN 0131118927) first and then you may want to pick-up:
Quantum Mechanics for Chemists (Tutorial Chemistry Texts, 14) by David O. Hayward, ISBN: 0854046070
Quantum Mechanics 1: Foundations (Oxford Chemistry Primers, 48) by N.J.B. Green
Quantum Mechanics 2: The Toolkit (Oxford Chemistry Primers, 65) by N.J.B. Green
Look at my other reviews for other chemistry books.
Baby's First Quantum Chemistry Book November 18, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an excellent introduction to quantum chemistry. Mcquarrie writes clearly and makes quantum chemistry almost easy. It's not a graduate level text and any graduate courses using it will have to be heavily supplimented due to the limited range of subjects in the book. I have three quantum chemistry books: this, Levine, and Atkins (molecular quantum mechanics). Of the three this is the easiest to understand, followed by Levine and then by Atkins. My two gripes with this text is the limited range and the heavy skipping of derivations. Mcquarrie tries to baby-step the reader through his text but sometimes totally skips some derivations. Levine becomes easier to understand in that respect. I don't mind it if the author sometimes skips steps during a derivation, but when he leaves everything out, that doesn't help with the understanding. He states that they're easy and rightly, they are. But assuming too much about the ability of the student is not the hallmark of a teacher. Intro to quantum chem is simple enough a subject to not have to make such an assumption. Recommended for any undergrad chem/biochem/biology majors.
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