Concise General Chemistry book for self study

[bloviate88]

I am looking for a concise gen chem book to learn the basics of the subject for fun.

I am trying to avoid overly verbose 1400 page hardcover doorstops with 1000 exercises and lots of glossy pictures.

Are there any especially concise and readable gen chem textbooks?

I have identified two potential options.

Linus Pauling Gen Chem - a classic, cheap, relatively concise language. But concerned it is out of date. E.g. no MO theory.

“Why Chemical Reactions Happen” Wothers and Keeler - short broad overview. Seems ideal but concerned it might be too advanced for me because it assumes fundamental chem knowledge.

Are those assumptions accurate?

Any suggestions on other books? Something like Susskind’s Theoretical Minimum (“popular sci” book but technical) might be good, but not sure if that even exists for Chem.

Thanks!

 

[Muu9]

Chemistry: A Self-Teaching Guide (this is more on the high school level)

https://www.chemistry.msu.edu/clue/general-chemistry.aspx - the textbook is very text-heavy and only around 200 pages

 

[Frabjous]

You might enjoy
Why Do Chemical Reactions Occur? by Campbell 1965
It is not a general chemistry book.

 

[galen_storm]

I am looking for a concise gen chem book to learn the basics of the subject for fun.

I recommend the following, you can go through the contents and decide which one will suit your endeavor:

1. Brown and Holme - Chemistry for Engineering Students (about 650 pages)
2. Richard Dickerson - Chemistry, Matter, and the Universe (about 700 pages)
3. Nivaldo Tro - Introductory Chemistry

All three are fun to read through, especially the Dickerson's text.