"The fourth edition of this established work follows in the excellent tradition of the previous three editions. It retains the concept of the original, providing technological and economic information on the key building blocks of the chemical industry. The book is packed with information, much of which cannot easily be found elsewhere, and certainly not in such a readily digestible form. The companies and innovators responsible for the chemistry described are clearly credited, and indeed this volume provides an excellent history of the worldwide bulk organic chemicals industry. Throughout the book the authors indicate potential future developments in the manufacture of these important precursors and intermediates. The reader friendly format seen in the previous editions is retained, wherein each chapter or subsection is provided with a chemical flow diagram illustrating the interrelationship of the products, these flow diagrams folding out such that they can be constantly referred to whilst reading the text. In addition, the main text is accompanied by a synopsis in the margin, which concisely presents all of the essential points, thus facilitating browsing. The contents are logically and clearly organized, and there are detailed reference lists for each chapter, together with an extensive index. This latest edition also includes updated statistics and adopts the new IUPAC nomenclature guidelines.(...) This book will be a positive addition to the libraries and bookshelves of chemists and chemical engineers working in the organic sector, including those to whom many of the molecules describes are considered to be "commercially available starting materials". Non-scientists (e.g. industrial economists, lawyers) will also gain an appreciation of the complex technological, scientific and economic inter-relationships (and potential developments) which characterize industrial organic chemistry." Organic Process Research & Development, Peter Spargo "This book is an immensely comprehensive and practical work. University chemistry students would benefit from reading this book as it provides a valuable insight into chemical technology, which is often lacking in undergraduate chemistry courses. The university lecturer can obtain examples of applied organic syntheses and keep up to date with the constant changes in chemical manufacturing. It should appeal most to chemists and engineers in the chemical industry, who should benefit from the technological, scientific and economic interrelationships and their potential developments." Synthesis - Journal of Synthetic Organic Chemistry