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megadeathvsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fantastic piece of science writing. It's a fascinating look at the history of the periodic table. And that's way more interesting than you would think.
librarymouse's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The author is genuinely funny in his delivery of the material, making jokes and grounding theoretical subjects in tangible metaphors/analogies/examples. At a certain point, near the 3/4 mark of the book, the physics and chemistry started to go over my head, and kept at that level. The history aspect was consistently engaging and accessible to someone who hasn't had formal instruction in physics or chemistry for the better part of a decade The author consistently ties the biographical information and historical events back into the science science, referencing back to the individuals mentioned in earlier chapters as they came up again and again. Overall, a really engaging read. I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 because I had to restart the book after my first attempt at the introduction and first chapter. That very well may have just been a me problem, and not the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Sexism, War, Torture, Car accident, Death, Genocide, Cancer, Violence, and Body horror
ptothelo's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed it thought it was pretty dense. It also brought back a lot of memories of chem classes and physics classes and how in another life I might have been a physicist. I love how some of this stuff really bends your mind. It a fun mix of science and history and in a way, psychology (of all the scientists).
My favorite story had to be the one where someone melted his friends' Nobel medals smuggled out of Germany so the Nazi's couldn't find it. It sat in a beaker in the lab as an orangish liquid. He went back after the war and isolated the gold again and the Nobel committee recasted the medals. A small and cool act of defiance among all the craziness. And wives trying to shield their husbands from Marie Curie? I never read about this back in HS
My favorite story had to be the one where someone melted his friends' Nobel medals smuggled out of Germany so the Nazi's couldn't find it. It sat in a beaker in the lab as an orangish liquid. He went back after the war and isolated the gold again and the Nobel committee recasted the medals. A small and cool act of defiance among all the craziness. And wives trying to shield their husbands from Marie Curie? I never read about this back in HS
lowells's review against another edition
2.0
Started of well but unfortunately became boring as the book went on. I actually enjoyed his style of writing, each chapter seemed to start well, however it then seemed to disintegrate into dull scientific speeches. I am sure some would enjoy this book but it wasn’t for me.
deutschemausi's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.5
This is a rough read only because it’s very dry- it’s all about information.
It’s incredibly informative and interesting but it’s definitely something you have to be in the mood to read because if not I’m reading without reading.
I learned so much I didn’t know about the history of science. A lot I probably can’t recall until the actual topic is brought up but I do highly suggest this read when you’re in the mood for an information based book!
It’s incredibly informative and interesting but it’s definitely something you have to be in the mood to read because if not I’m reading without reading.
I learned so much I didn’t know about the history of science. A lot I probably can’t recall until the actual topic is brought up but I do highly suggest this read when you’re in the mood for an information based book!
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
5.0
I started listening to this book on audio and made it about halfway through before grabbing a hardcover at the library and starting over from the beginning. The narrator was doing such a great job that I will seek him out in the future, but I'm much more of a visual learner than an auditory learner. The stories in this book were so fascinating, I didn't want to miss a thing. I have a biology degree so I obviously have a strong background in science, but I truly believe the author has written a book that will be accessible to any curious reader.
sentienthairball's review against another edition
2.0
Sometimes interesting, but mostly boring and a reminder of why I sucked at science in school. I think I would have liked this a bit more if it didn’t make me feel so dumb.
ameyawarde's review against another edition
4.0
I only got so far as about 2 months into my high school class in Chemistry, so I learned a ton in this book, it was very interesting! I think they did a good job, too, with pointing out the sexism in science and highlighting how much the women discoverers managed to do despite their extremely sexist environments.