BULLETIN FOR THE HISTORY OF CHEMISTRY
Volume 49, 2024
Majerle, Rita S., “Review of Designing Synthetic Methods and Natural Product Synthesis,” by Larry E. Overman, Bull. Hist. Chem., 2024, 49, 171-174.
Abstract/Description: This book is an autobiographical piece from the American professor Larry E. Overman whose expansive career in the area of organic reaction mechanisms and synthetic chemistry are outlined. Overman's contributions to the field of synthetic organic chemistry, his mentoring of students from all over the world and his travels and involvement with the discipline make his inclusion in the series an obvious choice. The short book, which covers Overman's trajectory and professional life, is presented in 8 chapters and includes a preface and an appendix including holographs of notebooks, an inclusive list of papers and patents and personal pictures and notes. In each chronological chapter, Overman provides context to the work he presents as well as reflective notes on the chemistry and the process of discovery.