--- product_id: 1698892 title: "Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History" brand: "penny le couteur, jay burreson" price: "€ 25.34" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.pt/products/1698892-napoleons-buttons-how-17-molecules-changed-history store_origin: PT region: Portugal --- # Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History **Brand:** penny le couteur, jay burreson **Price:** € 25.34 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History by penny le couteur, jay burreson - **How much does it cost?** € 25.34 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.pt](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/1698892-napoleons-buttons-how-17-molecules-changed-history) ## Best For - penny le couteur, jay burreson enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted penny le couteur, jay burreson brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance-which, in turn, can result in great historical shifts. With lively prose and an eye for colorful and unusual details, Le Couteur and Burreson offer a novel way to understand the shaping of civilization and the workings of our contemporary world. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Dimensions | 6.02 x 1.02 x 8.98 inches | | Edition | Reprint | | Isbn 10 | 1585423319 | | Isbn 13 | 978-1585423316 | | Item Weight | 14.6 ounces | | Language | English | | Print Length | 384 pages | | Publication Date | May 24, 2004 | | Publisher | Jeremy P Tarcher | ## Images ![Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Lq3aQFeKL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The stories behind the molecules that changed the world *by on Reviewed in the United States June 8, 2017* I loved this book enough to recommend it on my book recommendations email list. I never learned much about chemistry in school, but this book helped me understand it better. It presents various molecules, then presents how those molecules were the most influential molecules in world history. Peppercorns, for example, (with the active ingredient, piperine) drove The Age of Discovery.That same Age of Discovery would have gone much more smoothly with Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). It's astonishing how many centuries it took for western sailors to recognize the importance of eating vegetables (the Chinese were growing ginger aboard ships as early as the fifth century). While some captains were catching on by accident, and some crews were still refusing to eat anything other than bread and meat, ships were being staffed with an extra 30–50% to account for the men who would inevitably die of scurvy. It wasn't until Scottish naval surgeon James Lind conducted an experiment in 1747, that the cure for scurvy was known. But, it was another forty years before the advice was implemented by the British navy – some believe because they actually wanted to keep their sailors weak and under control.Each chapter includes fascinating world history, viewed through the lens of the substances such as salt, oleic acid (olive oil), silk, and glucose, followed by a chemistry lesson. You can see how the various molecules are related to one another. The story behind "the pill" is particularly fascinating. It was a series of discoveries that had nothing to do with contraception, but rather to prevent miscarriages. Several discoveries before that, it was simply to be able to produce estradiol (a female sex hormone) without having to extract it from (literally) four tons of pig ovaries. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Required Reading *by on Reviewed in the United States December 14, 2010* I've always been a fan of "what-if" storylines and historical non-fiction, so when I was required to read this book for class, I wasn't entirely disappointed. Burreson and LeCouteur are not only capable scientific authors, but capable authors as well. Though they present technical drawings and scientific jargon, they mitigate these with simple and effectual text. They give the facts of how these molecules changed and accentuate the impact of these molecules by describing the consequences if these molecules hadn't been discovered or used.For those who are infrequent or sporadic readers, the division of the book made it easy and enjoyable to read for someone who usually only read in-between class periods. I found chapters easily digestible, full of historical and scientific information, and even found myself surprised when I had a fair knowledge of the topic at hand.What I enjoyed most about the book though, was the fact that almost every molecule is commonplace today. There's nothing so far from popular culture that everyday people won't understand. Sure, most people may not know all the scientific names of witch herbs, but everyone's heard of the witch trials. Other sections like "The Pill" show just how relevant some of these molecules really are. Even without scientific designation or more descriptive detail, almost everyone is aware of what "the pill" is even with such an innocuously vague name.All in all, you could do way worse for required reading or scientific literature. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The intersection of history and chemistry. *by on Reviewed in the United States March 23, 2009* This is by far the most interesting book I've read this year (and is a definite contender for the "all-time" best, as well!)The premise of the book is "17 molecules that changed history." From cotton to caffeine, scopolamine to saponin, this book colorfully lays out both the chemical nature of these significant molecules, explaining how they function and WHY they work the way they do; it also illustrates the historical impact, going into great detail about how the course of history was heavily affected by the molecular properties of the topical substance.I find that when I'm learning something, the more connections I can form with an idea, the stronger my memory -- this book is a powerhouse in that regard; the knowledge of the structural nature of these compounds (at least the relevant functional groups, anyways) coupled with the historical relevance, creates memorable, almost mnemonic, impressions in my mind.For anyone that's a trivia buff, a science (particularly chemistry) or history afficionado, or just someone that loves to learn, I highly recommend this book. ## Frequently Bought Together - Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History - Dr. Joe & What You Didn't Know: 177 Fascinating Questions About the Chemistry of Everyday Life - Culinary Reactions: The Everyday Chemistry of Cooking --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.pt/products/1698892-napoleons-buttons-how-17-molecules-changed-history](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/1698892-napoleons-buttons-how-17-molecules-changed-history) --- *Product available on Desertcart Portugal* *Store origin: PT* *Last updated: 2026-09-05*