Jüri Liiv

Jüri Liiv is a renowned Estonian materials scientist, chemist, and inventor whose writings have garnered widespread attention and acclaim. He has authored several popular science books, including “Keemia õhtuõpik” (“The Evening Chemistry Textbook”) and “Füüsika õhtuõpik” (“The Evening Physics Textbook”). The former earned him the national science communication award in the printed publications category.

Liiv’s books are known for their clear and engaging style, making complex scientific topics accessible and interesting to students, teachers, and science enthusiasts alike. “The Evening Chemistry Textbook” demonstrates that chemistry can be elegant and logical, offering readers in-depth explanations, historical context, and practical examples. Similarly, “The Evening Physics Textbook” brings physics closer to the reader by connecting historical facts with modern experiments—without overwhelming the mind with complex formulas or lengthy derivations. In Liiv’s hands, chemistry and physics become clear even for non-experts.

In 2023, Jüri Liiv published “Suur rohepesu käsiraamat” (“The Great Greenwashing Handbook”), which quickly became a bestseller. The book critically explores the issue of greenwashing, shedding light on its hidden aspects and offering readers ways to recognize and avoid it. Despite—or perhaps because of—its sharp critique, the book achieved remarkable popularity, and just two months after its initial release, a third edition was printed—an exceptional milestone in the history of Estonian popular science publishing.