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"In the spirit of A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING, an energetic and wide-ranging book of discovery and discoverers, of exploitation and celebration, and of superstition and science, all in search of the ways the chemical elements are woven into our culture, history, and language"--
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LibraryThing member untraveller
Loaded with trivia some of which is interesting, much of which is not. The stories about the elements covered could easily have been told in a more interesting way that was less disjointed. There was just enough interesting material to keep you going, but not enough to make me want to read another
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book by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member jms001
For the budding element collector, this is a great read. For the layperson who thinks they're going to get a couple of fun stories about each of the elements, I would suggest looking somewhere else.
I picked this up intrigued by its title and cover. Ever wondered what the rich history of each of the
I'd recommend this book for someone who is definitely interested in the field of science and particularly chemistry. The text isn't exactly accessible for the typical light reader, in my opinion. But if you are interested in what it has to offer, then take a look.
I picked this up intrigued by its title and cover. Ever wondered what the rich history of each of the
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elements of the famous periodic table have in store? You will definitely find that here. I have a deeper understanding of how and why certain elements were named, the geographic clusters of where many elements were "discovered," the origins of the reputations of certain elements like arsenic, and so on. Why was silver considered so valuable, but not so much these days? Where can I get my hands on some plutonium? What is so incredible about the lovely liquid metal, mercury? It's a very fascinating read indeed.I'd recommend this book for someone who is definitely interested in the field of science and particularly chemistry. The text isn't exactly accessible for the typical light reader, in my opinion. But if you are interested in what it has to offer, then take a look.
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LibraryThing member dgbdgb
This is a really very occasional read. Wanders over an impressive range of subjects, but with the story of the discovery and use of each of the elements in the periodic table at the core of the book. Highly recommended, and you don't need to be a scientist or chemist to read it.
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
I found this book marvellous. Sadly my own knowledge of chemistry is virtually non-existent so I started this guided tour through the periodic table with more than a little trepidation. However, Aldersey-Williams has a happy knack of conveying chemical knowledge in a readily-accessible way.
His
His
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approach is very engaging - he starts by recounting how as a boy he strove to complete his own periodic table, complete with examples of each element. He gives a brief description of each of the chemicals, explaining how they were discovered (or isolated) and giving some of their history including some very humorous anecdotes. I just wish that chemistry had been this entertaining when i was at school! Show Less
LibraryThing member PilgrimJess
Had I not found this book on a train with a 'Read Me' sticker on it I would never have heard of it let alone read it and I would have missed out on an interesting read.Firstly I must admit that I never did much enjoy Chemistry at school in or for that matter science in general, I could never
Initially I was somewhat worried that this would turn out to be a dull academic tome and while in places it did lose me a little and was a little dry, on the whole there was enough to keep me interested. In particular I loved the referances to modern culture/literature and even how obscure elements that I had never even heard of were often found right under our very noses within our houses. I loved the idea how gold historically has been seen as masculine and silver was seen as virginal and feminine. Where did the term 'platinum blonde' of the 40's and 50's come from? Was Napoleon Bonapart killed by his wallpaper? The author names the major discoverers of various elements but on the whole does not go into too much indepth history. For that reason some people will see it as too flighty and shallow where others will just find the whole subject matter too dull to persevere.
But if you fancy a book that you can dip into a chapter or two at a time, picking up a few interesting snippets along the way with which to annoy/ fascinate your partner or mates down the pub, plus have a passing interest in both/either science and history then give it a go. Who knows you might actually learn something and that can be no bad thing.
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remember even the most basic of chemical formulae, and as such knew little about the Periodic Table other than seeing posters of it hung on classroom/bedroom walls. However, that said I have always been interested in History in whatever form. Initially I was somewhat worried that this would turn out to be a dull academic tome and while in places it did lose me a little and was a little dry, on the whole there was enough to keep me interested. In particular I loved the referances to modern culture/literature and even how obscure elements that I had never even heard of were often found right under our very noses within our houses. I loved the idea how gold historically has been seen as masculine and silver was seen as virginal and feminine. Where did the term 'platinum blonde' of the 40's and 50's come from? Was Napoleon Bonapart killed by his wallpaper? The author names the major discoverers of various elements but on the whole does not go into too much indepth history. For that reason some people will see it as too flighty and shallow where others will just find the whole subject matter too dull to persevere.
But if you fancy a book that you can dip into a chapter or two at a time, picking up a few interesting snippets along the way with which to annoy/ fascinate your partner or mates down the pub, plus have a passing interest in both/either science and history then give it a go. Who knows you might actually learn something and that can be no bad thing.
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LibraryThing member Bodagirl
An interesting, but not riveting, examination of the elements. Aldersey-Williams, gives historical and cultural context to many of the elements from the periodic table. It' a good book to pick up and read off and on. But I wouldn't have minded a little bit more scientific description of the
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elements, like a general glossary for natural state, common uses, and atomic number/symbol, or even just the periodic table as an endpaper would have been greatly appreciated. Show Less
LibraryThing member Silvernfire
Every time I picked up the book and continued reading it, I enjoyed it. But every time I put it down, I almost forgot to go back to it—for such an interesting book, it's oddly non-engrossing. Aldersey-Williams doesn't give all the elements equal time, and you'll get a lot more about gold, radium,
Warning to anyone reading this as an e-book: the book has many black-and-white photographs. I thought they were hard to see clearly on an e-reader, but they're not crucial for understanding the book. And for some reason, there's no illustration whatsoever of the periodic table, which I would have found really useful while reading this book!
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and iron, for instance, than the noble gases or the rare earths (both mostly treated as groups than as individual elements). But towards the end, it was just too much, and all the scientists' names, places of discovery, and time periods were blurring beyond rescue.Warning to anyone reading this as an e-book: the book has many black-and-white photographs. I thought they were hard to see clearly on an e-reader, but they're not crucial for understanding the book. And for some reason, there's no illustration whatsoever of the periodic table, which I would have found really useful while reading this book!
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LibraryThing member MartyBriggs
HIstories of the discoveries of several elements. Could be assigned as chapters
LibraryThing member LaPhenix
Undoubtedly more entertaining than I expected, Periodic Tales's exploration of elements extends beyond the laboratory, examining the discoveries's effects on history and culture.
LibraryThing member lwobbe
Every element. Who discovered it and how. Where it is found. What it looks like. Why it is important. Didn't you want to collect all of the elements at some time? Well, this guy did, and sort of assumes everyone else did too. It isn't dull because the author focuses on the process and the people!
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Each one who helped discover elements put out tons of effort, went down blind paths of error, and prevailed! Cobalt is my favorite, cobalt blue appearing in every culture - japanese batik! - pottery - fireworks. Show Less
LibraryThing member neurodrew
Subtitled "A cultural history of the elements, from arsenic to zinc"
I had been interested lately in revisiting my learning in chemistry. I found this popular account of the origins of elements, and some of the cultural significance. The author became interested in chemistry in childhood, and began
I had been interested lately in revisiting my learning in chemistry. I found this popular account of the origins of elements, and some of the cultural significance. The author became interested in chemistry in childhood, and began
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to collect as many elements of the periodic table as he could. The chapters are each organized around a different element, and include subjects that range from artwork in Spain using mercury, to the role of phosphorous in the firestorm in Hamburg. Many of the "rare earth" elements were first isolated from ores from the Swedish mine at Ytterby, hence ytterbium, and holmium, named for nearby Stockholm. I rate this book as a favorite Show Less
LibraryThing member PDCRead
For all those that avoided chemistry at school this is the book for you! Aldersey-Williams writes about the discovery, history and the uses of the elements that go to make up every thing that you use and touch. Fascinating and written with a light touch for all non-scientists.
LibraryThing member marshapetry
First half was excellent... then got a little repetitive when materials began to sound like a laundry list spiel of attributes. But overall, I recommend.
LibraryThing member themulhern
Just a miscellaneous collection of bits and pieces about the elements. Fun, disorganized, only so interesting.
LibraryThing member nbmars
Each distinct atom (differentiated by the number of protons in their nuclei) makes up an element, one of the “elemental” aspects of life on earth. Elements create bonds to form molecules, which in turn combine to form all matter. Atoms, or elements, were organized into a “periodic table” by
It is the cultural significance that is the focus of this survey by Hugh Aldersey Williams. He follows a rather meandering path through the elements not in their natural order but grouped by social uses. In sections called Power, Fire, Craft, Beauty, and Earth, he highlights some elements in each group showing how they were discovered, how they have been used, and the meanings with which they have been imbued throughout time. He also chronicles his own interests in the elements, and the ways in which he tried to collect and work with various elements throughout his life.
The discussions of chemistry by Aldersey Williams are very basic - you don’t have to understand physics or even chemistry to enjoy his exploration of the elements. Some parts of the book are more interesting than others - for example I thought the whole anecdote about the gold sculpture of the supermodel Kate Moss was drawn out and of marginal interest. But I appreciated the way he integrated the uses of elements by artists and writers into his book. In any event, most of his stories were not only more interesting but full of fascinating factoids.
Evaluation: Overall, I found this survey of elements accessible and entertaining, not only learning a thing or two but renewing my interest in atomic science. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Antony Ferguson, and I have to say the British pronunciations were as fun and interesting to me as the content of the material. For example, who knew the British say gaseous with a long a, or that in Britain, Ulysses is pronounced with the accent on the first syllable: “YOU-liss-ees," instead of as the U.S., where it is pronounced with the accent on the second syllable: “You-LISS-ees."
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Russian chemist Dmitrii Mendeleev in 1869. This table not only changed the way in which scientists categorized elements, but allowed them to predict missing elements according to where they would fit on the table. Now totaling 118, each element is unique not only in its chemical makeup, but also in its physical manifestation and cultural significance. (There are only 92 naturally occurring elements, but addditional elements have been produced by nuclear physics technology.)It is the cultural significance that is the focus of this survey by Hugh Aldersey Williams. He follows a rather meandering path through the elements not in their natural order but grouped by social uses. In sections called Power, Fire, Craft, Beauty, and Earth, he highlights some elements in each group showing how they were discovered, how they have been used, and the meanings with which they have been imbued throughout time. He also chronicles his own interests in the elements, and the ways in which he tried to collect and work with various elements throughout his life.
The discussions of chemistry by Aldersey Williams are very basic - you don’t have to understand physics or even chemistry to enjoy his exploration of the elements. Some parts of the book are more interesting than others - for example I thought the whole anecdote about the gold sculpture of the supermodel Kate Moss was drawn out and of marginal interest. But I appreciated the way he integrated the uses of elements by artists and writers into his book. In any event, most of his stories were not only more interesting but full of fascinating factoids.
Evaluation: Overall, I found this survey of elements accessible and entertaining, not only learning a thing or two but renewing my interest in atomic science. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Antony Ferguson, and I have to say the British pronunciations were as fun and interesting to me as the content of the material. For example, who knew the British say gaseous with a long a, or that in Britain, Ulysses is pronounced with the accent on the first syllable: “YOU-liss-ees," instead of as the U.S., where it is pronounced with the accent on the second syllable: “You-LISS-ees."
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Language
ISBN
9780062078810