Sam Kean

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.

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

The Disappearing Spoon

Sarah Sammis

Jens Madsen

Interesting read, filled with fun facts and anecdotes from centuries of science, all structured around the elements of the periodic table. More entertaining than well written, but certainly worthwhile.

A young readers edition of the New York Times bestseller The Disappearing Spoon, chronicling the extraordinary stories behind one of the greatest scientific tools in existence: the periodic table. Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why did tellurium (Te, 52) lead to the most bizarre gold rush in history? The periodic table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, greed, betrayal, and obsession. The fascinating tales in The Disappearing Spoon follow elements on the table as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, conflict, the arts, medicine, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. Adapted for a middle grade audience, the young readers edition of The Disappearing Spoon offers the material in a simple, easy-to-follow format, with approximately 20 line drawings and sidebars throughout. Students, teachers, and burgeoning science buffs will love learning about the history behind the chemistry.

And Other True Tales of Rivalry, Adventure, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements (Young Readers Edition)

Elmo 

Loved it! I bought the simplified Version by accident and will definitely buy the other version, but as a person who always was fascinated by chemistry, I sped through this book so fast haha.

Jeni Enjaian

I absolutely loved this book! I most likely added the book to my to read list back when I listened to NPR's Science Friday.
Kean crafts an engaging narrative about the history of the periodic table and the elements that compose it. I did have to slow down a handful of times as some of the science not lend itself to quick comprehension through skimming (my own fault.) Other than that, I found his organization compelling as well as his addition of wry humor. Additionally, I learned a lot through reading this book. I always love that. I cannot wait to read more books by Kean as soon as I possibly can.

Lisette Wijkhuijs

Sometimes a bit tough to get through. But overall it is an amazing book. The story is engaging and told in a 'no-nonsense' sort of way.

Caitlin Berger

I read this when I was still interested in science. It was actually really great and funny! A bit confusing at times, but if you're a nerd like me and like all things periodic table, this is a great read! :)

"A young readers adaptation of the bestselling book The Disappearing Spoon, chronicling the extraordinary human history of the periodic table."--

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

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