[leafmeal]

I read Chasing the Molecule by John Buckingham recently and thoroughly enjoyed it! It give a good outline of the history of modern chemistry in a way that felt accessible but still thorough.

It also does a great job of explaining the different characters and their stories. Some little-known who moved chemistry forwards in profound ways, and others, very well-known, who through their loyalty to false theories ended up holding it back.

It's also a pretty short book when helps make it feel accessible.