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3.5 — as someone with only a very basic understanding of chemistry, I learned a lot from this book. Sentence structure was often a little difficult/awkward, and I do think that maybe it could’ve been a bit shorter than 350 pages. Glad I read it tho
Extremely entertaining scientific history of the elements and the periodic table. It sometimes leaves you wanting a little more detail but well worth the read.
informative
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
slow-paced
This was a pretty in depth history of elements and the periodic table, filled with quirky “did you know?” but, messy scientist drama, and a whole lot of chemistry. I felt like a followed along for the most part, but it also was still super science-y where I probably won’t retain all of it, but this was overall a really fascinating read. The organization of it was a little all over and maybe would be more memorable if there was more of a flow to the narrative instead of “here’s a bunch of stuff slightly related to this chemistry/history concept.”
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
interesting, though a bit dry at times. I learned a lot I didn't know previously!
funny
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
This is a very entertaining and yet profound book not only about the physics and chemistry of the periodic table, but at the same time about the people who helped construct it. Although I am a chemist, many of the anecdotes about famous scientist were new to me, including Linus Pauling getting the structure of DNA so totally wrong, or Gilbert Lewis (he of the Lewis acids and bases) never having won a Nobel prize, despite having made some of the most fundamental discoveries in physical chemistry. I have only one complaint: the author’s style, especially when being humorous, tends to become home-spun American and difficult to understand for non-Americans like myself. You would have thought that his publishing editors might have pointed this out.
Listened to the unabridged audiobook...
Great book, perfect blend of science and people (and their stories) behind the science. The last chapter tends a bit too far into theoretical science, eschewing story, and I became somewhat disinterested. The rest of the book, though, was very enjoyable.
Great book, perfect blend of science and people (and their stories) behind the science. The last chapter tends a bit too far into theoretical science, eschewing story, and I became somewhat disinterested. The rest of the book, though, was very enjoyable.