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leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting look at the periodic table of elements. I enjoyed the fascinating stories surrounding the elements and the discovery of elements. The author is a good story teller. The second half drew me in more, there was more storytelling. The beginning had a bit more of the particular science that was a little lost on me. It may also be that by the second half I had adjusted my thinking to be more science focused. I think the draw for this would be for those with more of a science background, but the stories surrounding the topics would be interesting to anyone.
Audiobook narration was great, engaging and easy to listen to and understand.
Audiobook narration was great, engaging and easy to listen to and understand.
circularcubes's review against another edition
informative
2.0
Full of really fun facts about science and history and all that, but I still struggled with understanding some of the more complicated concepts covered by this book, tbh.
nestairov's review against another edition
4.0
as you'd expect from a book on the periodic table, a bit of a slog at times without a huge amount of background knowledge. definitely some cool tidbits though
aebrossbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.5
This was a really fun read/listen. I will admit that there was a bit at the beginning that felt slow. I was worried I wouldn't be able to read it because it was dragging, but the author took little time in building steam and soon he was flying through the periodic table. The author made short work of sharing well-detailed and thought out tidbits of history and scandal with each element and it's discovery, as well as strange behaviors the elements and their isotopes exhibit all by themselves. There were all sorts of stories, some of injustice, some of triumph, some of defeat, and all of them adding so much color and life to the periodic table we've all come to know. I definitely recommend, especially for those of us who are fascinated by science and physics.
kshilvock's review against another edition
4.0
Omg I finally finished it! Such a lovely nerd fest, but very, very long. Definitely one you can just pick up and read little bits and pieces of fairly easily though.
lace_m_3's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Kean's approach to a potentially mind numbing (at least for me) topic: the periodic table. He told the little known stories that surround the discovery of each element as well as the backstory to many of the more famous discoveries. I confess I had to push through some of the chemical descriptions but whenever the book lagged he would bring up some other entertaining story to keep me hooked.
willardk's review against another edition
5.0
This book will always bring me good memories when I think about it. However, I no longer own it: I dropped it off at The Author's apartment on Monday with (what I hope to be) a scathing letter. This was only slightly crazier than it sounds, as I personally knew Mr. Kean for the past three years. I'm trying to distance myself from his books, but I don't want to feel like I can fade into the background and be an easily erasable mistake in his life. All people deserve respect, but since Sam didn't give me any, I'll be damned if I show him any, even on the Internet.