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Very interesting read, got bored at times and sometimes felt repetitive or I got lost, but I learned loads.
I listen to science and history nonfiction to unwind and help me fall asleep. I find it relaxing as there is seldom much of a plot to wind me up. However, that means I often fall asleep before the end of my sleep timer on audible. As a result, I miss things. This book is good. Could I tell you that I listened to all of it? No. But I would consider listening to it again in the future? Yes.
Meh... I had higher hopes for this book, and while engaging at times, it was a fairly random set of stories. At times felt like the author really had to stretch to come up with a story for some of the elements.
I really enjoyed this book a lot, even though my high school experience with chemistry left something (many things) to be desired.
This book explores, as the title admirably suggests, the history of the periodic table of the elements. The author starts with the evolution of the periodic table itself, a history about which I knew absolutely nothing. He then dives into the elements themselves, discussing their "discoveries," the scientists who discovered them, and even some of the elements' fascinating properties (whence comes the "disappearing spoon" part of the title).
I had expected a sort of systematic tour through the periodic table, starting with hydrogen and ending in the unpronounceable and mysterious inhabitants of the elemental kids' table at the bottom of the chart. However, that's not the m.o. here, though the organization of the book was never totally clear to me.
My only real complaint was that Sam Kean tried too hard to be Bill Bryson. That is, Kean seemed to bounce between a fairly straightforward historical tone, and the slightly sardonic tone of Bill Bryson's non fiction, which is very effective when done just right. But it seems a bit out of place when it appears in Kean's book, and I'm not sure but I suspect it's because Kean's tone is otherwise pretty straight, only occasionally veering into humor. Whatever the reason, sometimes the sardonic tone grated. I sort of found myself wishing Bryson had written this book.
But I learned a lot and I definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys nonfiction and who thought chemistry class was boring.
This book explores, as the title admirably suggests, the history of the periodic table of the elements. The author starts with the evolution of the periodic table itself, a history about which I knew absolutely nothing. He then dives into the elements themselves, discussing their "discoveries," the scientists who discovered them, and even some of the elements' fascinating properties (whence comes the "disappearing spoon" part of the title).
I had expected a sort of systematic tour through the periodic table, starting with hydrogen and ending in the unpronounceable and mysterious inhabitants of the elemental kids' table at the bottom of the chart. However, that's not the m.o. here, though the organization of the book was never totally clear to me.
My only real complaint was that Sam Kean tried too hard to be Bill Bryson. That is, Kean seemed to bounce between a fairly straightforward historical tone, and the slightly sardonic tone of Bill Bryson's non fiction, which is very effective when done just right. But it seems a bit out of place when it appears in Kean's book, and I'm not sure but I suspect it's because Kean's tone is otherwise pretty straight, only occasionally veering into humor. Whatever the reason, sometimes the sardonic tone grated. I sort of found myself wishing Bryson had written this book.
But I learned a lot and I definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys nonfiction and who thought chemistry class was boring.
*4.3
Really cool facts/trivia about elements and mini-biographies about scientists. Would recommend to anyone genuinely interested about science/chemistry
Really cool facts/trivia about elements and mini-biographies about scientists. Would recommend to anyone genuinely interested about science/chemistry
This was a fun, and very interesting book. Several of the stories and interesting and were new to me. The chemistry/physics is explained in a way that is easy to understand. I tried out some of these anecdotes at social gatherings with mixed success. I will be reading more books by Kean in the future.
The one flaw is that this could have benefitted a lot from a bit more editing. The organization of the chapters/ elements is a bit confusing. They are grouped together veryyyyy loosely into small bunches according to random criteria ('some (but not all) noble gases', 'some elements with interesting stories having to do with poison', 'some elements that I didn't know where to stick'). The book veers into off-topic tangents too often. This is a real pity because there are definitely enough fascinating stories about the elements that the extra material was unnecessary. It is by no means a complete book of all the interesting stories having to do with the elements, but it is a nice collection.
Writing - 4 stars
Editing - 3 stars
Subject matter - 5 stars
Sticking to the subject matter - 3 stars
Success at cocktail parties with chemistry PhD students - 2.5 stars
The one flaw is that this could have benefitted a lot from a bit more editing. The organization of the chapters/ elements is a bit confusing. They are grouped together veryyyyy loosely into small bunches according to random criteria ('some (but not all) noble gases', 'some elements with interesting stories having to do with poison', 'some elements that I didn't know where to stick'). The book veers into off-topic tangents too often. This is a real pity because there are definitely enough fascinating stories about the elements that the extra material was unnecessary. It is by no means a complete book of all the interesting stories having to do with the elements, but it is a nice collection.
Writing - 4 stars
Editing - 3 stars
Subject matter - 5 stars
Sticking to the subject matter - 3 stars
Success at cocktail parties with chemistry PhD students - 2.5 stars
3 1/2. This was super informative and very well written and I mostly understood it as I was reading it, but I feel like I'm going to retain absolutely nothing.
A fascinating journey through, what is for me, the incomprehensible periodic table. Abundantly accessible to mere mortals.
My knowledge of chemistry has never been super strong, so I really enjoyed the way this book presented neat historical stories wrapped around some fundamental info that I didn’t retain back in High School. For me this is definitely a case of vegetables spiced up to make them palatable, but if you’re the kind of person who likes the vegetables in the first place, you’ll love this book.
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced