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This science is so dumbed down that Kean literally refers to molecules as having volition. At one point he states blankly that stars are “desperate to maintain high temperatures”. No they aren’t, Sam.
As such, this was a dulling experience, akin to sitting through a three hour lecture on Byzantine History given by the overeager guy next door whose only knowledge of the subject stems from the fact that he just read an article in New York Magazine about Greek food.
Not worth reading except for a couple mildly amusing anecdotes. Otherwise, you’ll learn far more in a 40 minute middle school science class, or reading almost anything else.
As such, this was a dulling experience, akin to sitting through a three hour lecture on Byzantine History given by the overeager guy next door whose only knowledge of the subject stems from the fact that he just read an article in New York Magazine about Greek food.
Not worth reading except for a couple mildly amusing anecdotes. Otherwise, you’ll learn far more in a 40 minute middle school science class, or reading almost anything else.
I did learn a lot of new stories and anecdotes that I can bring into the classroom, but some stories in here were just not interesting to me, or so abstract and high level that the attempts to explain them with simple analogies left me feeling dumb. And I took P-Chem back in the day! I felt it focused a lot on more recently discovered elements and really missed out on some wild stories of the more fundamental elements. The mentions of phosphorus focused on the phosphate of DNA, what about how phosphorus was first discovered and thought to be the philosopher’s stone!? Maybe the author wanted to highlight lesser known facts, but I occasionally skipped passages that made me yawn.
A little like reading a text book at times. Though not irrelevant as it gave context to the fun stories throughout. Enjoyable if you like the topic!
People looked at me a little funny when I said I was reading a great book about the periodic table. But it's about more than that -- science and war and politics and the world and emotion and even design and marketing (know anyone fascinated by the Parker 51 pen?).
All that plus really fantastic, fun writing. Maybe it has one chapter that is a bit too technical (which is to say my grasp of the alpha constant is weak), but who wouldn't laugh at a line like "Astatine remains the only element whose discovery was confirmed by a non primate." (Yes, if that sounds like it would never interest you, you may not love this book.)
Too many good bits, but I especially liked the detail on the cliche about how we are all made of stars, thinking about the trouble silicone-based life would have respirating (and how confused OUR bodies get when breathing nitrogen).
Also great descriptions of the scale of the universe.
Money quote: Mendeleev, unlike the squeamish Meyer, had balls enough to predict that new elements would be dug up.
All that plus really fantastic, fun writing. Maybe it has one chapter that is a bit too technical (which is to say my grasp of the alpha constant is weak), but who wouldn't laugh at a line like "Astatine remains the only element whose discovery was confirmed by a non primate." (Yes, if that sounds like it would never interest you, you may not love this book.)
Too many good bits, but I especially liked the detail on the cliche about how we are all made of stars, thinking about the trouble silicone-based life would have respirating (and how confused OUR bodies get when breathing nitrogen).
Also great descriptions of the scale of the universe.
Money quote: Mendeleev, unlike the squeamish Meyer, had balls enough to predict that new elements would be dug up.
Was for my old book club and didn't like it.
I absolutely love the idea of this book. This was an incredibly interesting look deep into the periodic tables and the history, people and lots of trivia-ish facts. Very thorough. The people, history and facts was my "love" part of this book. Unfortunately, the book also included a ton of science/chemistry/physics lessons. Obviously this was necessary since it is a book about the period table, but I learned long long ago that the periodic table and I were not meant to be. The author does a fairly good job starting with the basics or using analogies to better explain the very technical things that are discussed, but the writing here is somewhat choppy and, just like in college chemistry class, I soon found myself glassy-eyed. Parts of this book I did read, every word, but it came across to my brain as "wha-wha, wha-wha, wha-wha" just like the teacher on Charlie Brown.
I did try to understand parts of it and honestly did read this whole book. It does say a lot when my "love" parts of this book were good enough to keep me trudging through my "hate" parts.
I really have to give MR. Kean a huge kudos on this one. This book sold well and has remained popular for years. Now that I have read it, that amazes me and honestly makes me quite happy. This is a very technical book with lots of very interesting and important historical information that should be remembered. To get so many people interested in and reading about the periodic table shows a very large amount of talent. Hell, he almost got me interested in chemistry and that in itself is amazing!
Clearly Mr. Kean is a very intelligent and accomplished individual and I do hope he continues to write and bring science and history to people in books similar to this. I will be reading his other book "The Violinist's Thumb" very soon.
I did try to understand parts of it and honestly did read this whole book. It does say a lot when my "love" parts of this book were good enough to keep me trudging through my "hate" parts.
I really have to give MR. Kean a huge kudos on this one. This book sold well and has remained popular for years. Now that I have read it, that amazes me and honestly makes me quite happy. This is a very technical book with lots of very interesting and important historical information that should be remembered. To get so many people interested in and reading about the periodic table shows a very large amount of talent. Hell, he almost got me interested in chemistry and that in itself is amazing!
Clearly Mr. Kean is a very intelligent and accomplished individual and I do hope he continues to write and bring science and history to people in books similar to this. I will be reading his other book "The Violinist's Thumb" very soon.
funny
informative
fast-paced
Some entertaining stories, but too often disorganized and long-winded. May have been better off simply doing the elements in order - any kind of order.
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Rich history on our growing understanding of everything that exists.