"This book describes all the concepts and principles which are essential to a fundamental understanding of organic chemistry. The early parts of the book include the most important reactions of the main functional groups. The latter sections treat most of the important biological compounds from a chemical point of view. The relevance of organic chemistry to everyday life is stressed throughout. The two systems of nomenclature in common use are presented side by side using primarily the trivial names still commonly employed by practicing chemists, together with the alternative name in systematic nomenclature given in parenthesis when it first appears. The aim of the authors above all has been to present the subject in a readable and concise manner so that students can feel they are devoting their time and energy only to that material which is essential to give them a basic working knowledge of organic chemistry. The book has been written primarily for students sutdying chemistry as an ancillary to medicine, biology or the other life sciences. It will also be suitable, however, in the first part of a college degree course and as a reference book for 'A' and 'S' level chemistry."- Publisher.