2012 Puddly Awards
 
 
Follow us on TwitterFollow us on FacebookFollow us on Google+Follow us on TumblrSubscribe to RSS

Recently Viewed clear list

Original Essays | May 3, 2012

Lucia Perillo: IMG The Polymorph's Perversity

2 comments By Lucia Perillo

It should not be so hard to write both poetry and fiction. Both arts, after all, make use of the same materials, words and punctuation. Poems... Continue »
  1. $16.77 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    Happiness Is a Chemical in the Brain: Stories

    Lucia Perillo 9780393083538
spacer
Ships free on qualified orders.
$9.95
List price: $24.99
Used Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
Qty Store Section
1 Beaverton Chemistry- General

eBook editions

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

by Sam Kean

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements Cover

ISBN13: 9780316051644
ISBN10: 0316051640
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
All Product Details

Only 1 left in stock at $9.95!

 

Synopses & Reviews

Review:

"Science magazine reporter Kean views the periodic table as one of the great achievements of humankind, 'an anthropological marvel,' full of stories about our connection with the physical world. Funny, even chilling tales are associated with each element, and Kean relates many. The title refers to gallium (Ga, 31), which melts at 84° F, prompting a practical joke among 'chemical cognoscenti': shape gallium into spoons, 'serve them with tea, and watch as your guests recoil when their Earl Grey eats their utensils.' Along with Dmitri Mendeleyev, the father of the periodic table, Kean is in his element as he presents a parade of entertaining anecdotes about scientists (mad and otherwise) while covering such topics as thallium (Tl, 81) poisoning, the invention of the silicon (Si, 14) transistor, and how the ruthenium (Ru, 44) fountain pen point made million for the Parker company. With a constant flow of fun facts bubbling to the surface, Kean writes with wit, flair, and authority in a debut that will delight even general readers. 10 b&w illus. (July 12)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

The Periodic Table is one of man's crowning scientific achievements. But it's also a treasure trove of stories of passion, adventure, betrayal, and obsession. The infectious tales and astounding details in The Disappearing Spoon follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them.

We learn that Marie Curie used to provoke jealousy in colleagues' wives when she'd invite them into closets to see her glow-in-the-dark experiments. And that Lewis and Clark swallowed mercury capsules across the country and their campsites are still detectable by the poison in the ground. Why did Gandhi hate iodine? Why did the Japanese kill Godzilla with missiles made of cadmium? And why did tellurium lead to the most bizarre gold rush in history, from the Big Bang to the end of time, it's all in The Disappearing Spoon.

Synopsis:

The infectious tales and astounding details in The Disappearing Spoon follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the frequently mad scientists who discovered them.
back to top

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
mariemarron, January 30, 2011 (view all comments by mariemarron)
It always warms my heart to find someone else who has such a love for the periodic table. I've read a lot of books about it but I think this is my favorite. Sam's writing style is engaging and he certainly did a lot of research. History is not really my thing so to be able to learn about it in the context of something I enjoy was a boon to me. There are so many intriguing stories that I would recommend it to anyone, not just science geeks like myself!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Moxie22, January 1, 2011 (view all comments by Moxie22)
Nice easy read about the periodic table. Reminds me of Bryson's "A short history of ...."
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Thomas Kirby, August 11, 2010 (view all comments by Thomas Kirby)
This is a great book, written with humor, history and science. I learned new things about the elements, chemistry and physics, although it is not a textbook, nor written as one. All you need is a passing interest in science to be entertained by this book. I highly recommend it!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
View all 3 comments
back to top

Product Details

ISBN:
9780316051644
Author:
Kean, Sam
Publisher:
Little Brown and Company
Subject:
Chemical elements
Subject:
Chemistry - Inorganic
Subject:
History
Subject:
History of Science-General
Publication Date:
20100731
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
391
Dimensions:
9.56x6.58x1.39 in. 1.34 lbs.
back to top

Other books you might like

  1. $17.99 New Trade Paper add to wish list

    Best Sex Ever: The Ultimate Guide to Positions, Techniques, Toys, and Games

    Susan Crain Bakos 9781592334346
  2. $21.00 Used Hardcover add to wish list

    Actresses and Whores: On Stage and in Society

    Kirsten Pullen 9780521833417
  3. $28.00 Used Hardcover add to wish list

    Eating Local: The Cookbook Inspired by America's Farmers

    Sur La Table 9780740791444
  4. $11.50 Used Hardcover add to wish list

    Nurtureshock: New Thinking about Children

    Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman 9780446504126
back to top

Related Subjects

History and Social Science » World History » General
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Science and Mathematics » Chemistry » General
Science and Mathematics » Chemistry » General
Science and Mathematics » Featured Titles in Tech » General
Science and Mathematics » History of Science » General

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$9.95 In Stock
Product details 391 pages Little Brown and Company - English 9780316051644 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Science magazine reporter Kean views the periodic table as one of the great achievements of humankind, 'an anthropological marvel,' full of stories about our connection with the physical world. Funny, even chilling tales are associated with each element, and Kean relates many. The title refers to gallium (Ga, 31), which melts at 84° F, prompting a practical joke among 'chemical cognoscenti': shape gallium into spoons, 'serve them with tea, and watch as your guests recoil when their Earl Grey eats their utensils.' Along with Dmitri Mendeleyev, the father of the periodic table, Kean is in his element as he presents a parade of entertaining anecdotes about scientists (mad and otherwise) while covering such topics as thallium (Tl, 81) poisoning, the invention of the silicon (Si, 14) transistor, and how the ruthenium (Ru, 44) fountain pen point made million for the Parker company. With a constant flow of fun facts bubbling to the surface, Kean writes with wit, flair, and authority in a debut that will delight even general readers. 10 b&w illus. (July 12)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Synopsis" by , The Periodic Table is one of man's crowning scientific achievements. But it's also a treasure trove of stories of passion, adventure, betrayal, and obsession. The infectious tales and astounding details in The Disappearing Spoon follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them.

We learn that Marie Curie used to provoke jealousy in colleagues' wives when she'd invite them into closets to see her glow-in-the-dark experiments. And that Lewis and Clark swallowed mercury capsules across the country and their campsites are still detectable by the poison in the ground. Why did Gandhi hate iodine? Why did the Japanese kill Godzilla with missiles made of cadmium? And why did tellurium lead to the most bizarre gold rush in history, from the Big Bang to the end of time, it's all in The Disappearing Spoon.
"Synopsis" by , The infectious tales and astounding details in The Disappearing Spoon follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the frequently mad scientists who discovered them.
spacer
spacer
  • back to top
Follow us on...



Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.