As the author writes in this introductory textbook, which is understandable even without prior knowledge, chemistry is "the most beautiful unknown among the sciences." However, it is precisely the unknown that frightens us the most. The book aims to sharpen the perception of the allure of this fascinating natural science and make it comprehensible. It features a presentation that largely dispenses with prior knowledge. Numerous simple experiments deepen understanding, while formulas are kept to a minimum. The author consciously accepts that some comparisons may seem simplistic and some explanations overly simple. The main goal of this book is to present modern inorganic chemistry in an easily understandable way, starting from the ancient insights of Democritus, and to make it accessible to interested laypeople, students, or prospective students.