Comments (31)

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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Jan 09, 2023Tony_Jeffers rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Another clueless scientist trying to write science for the layperson. Like most such writers he starts off being amusing then slowly starts getting more and more technical so that the lay reader can't understand what he is talking about.…
Jul 18, 2021Liber_vermis rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Just like the COVID-19 virus with the spikes protruding from its surface, the contents of this story of the elements of the periodic table strikes off in different directions. The author has tales of scientific intrigue, elements used in…
Apr 24, 2021AntimonyW rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean is a non-fiction work about the periodic table of elements. This incredibly informational book is peppered with light humor, which makes for an enjoyable read. The Disappearing Spoon was published in…
Dec 08, 2020Logovore rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An accessible treatment of the chemistry, physics and history of the periodic table of the elements. I did find it a bit anthropomorphic in that it seems almost to ascribe volition to natural processes that occur solely because of the…
Mar 19, 2020humbleworm rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Sensationalistic title aside, The Disappearing Spoon is a comprehensive and very approachable explanation of chemistry's periodic table. Kean focuses on the attributes, uses and background history of all atomic elements without getting…
Oct 20, 2018apollospacefan rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Fun read about the real life story of elements. As a reader, you get to discover and participate in science developments in unexpected, sometimes super strange ways.
Mar 21, 2018SPPL_János rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I love non-fiction because interesting revelations come at a far faster pace than fiction, and this history of science and invention as influenced by the elements packs more fascinating factoids per page than anything I've ever read. Far…
Jun 13, 2016JCLChrisK rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A highly readable and entertaining collection of stories about the chemical elements--more specifically, about the people who have contributed to the development of the periodic table of elements. There is plenty of science as a necessary…
Sep 22, 2015alskrebs rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyed the book. Would give it 5 stars even though a bit over head in comprehension. My gripe - when mentioning an element why couldn't they add the symbol/abbreviation in the text, like they do in the index. When wanting to check…
Jun 25, 2015CRRL_CraigG rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Almost episodic in nature, the crux of each story is often how a particular element was discovered, and then how humankind has chosen to put it to use. Sometimes it is for public welfare (copper is used on doorknobs and stair railings…
Nov 08, 2014lbarkema rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This was a difficult one to rate because even though Kean writes in an accessible way, I still can't really recommend it to just anyone-only people who like science will fully appreciate this book. I liked the first 3/4 of it but then I…
BCD2013
May 12, 2014
NYPL Staff Pick Explore intriguing tales about every element of the periodic table, their role in human history, and the lives of the colorful scientists who discovered them. - Selection Team
Mar 15, 2014mrkswft rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed reading this book so much. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the vast field of science. I look forward to reading the Author's other books.
Nov 19, 2013JCLHelenH rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
While the chemistry is a bit over my head, the stories are great. For me, it was a challenging, but rewarding read.
Jun 16, 2013StarGladiator rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Just one correction: As we learned from subsequent movies, the Japanese Defense Forces were not successful in killing Godzilla, as it kept coming back stronger and stronger.
Jun 15, 2013
Great Book. Sam Kean does a great job explaining chemistry to people who do not know much about it without making the book feel like a text book. The stories made it really interesting and I can't wait to read his book on DNA.
Jun 13, 2013GingerKaren rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Have you ever wondered how and why the periodic table has come to be? This in depth study of one of the most basic tools of science, show the intimate relationships that each element has to the other in a way that is completely…
rstucke35
Oct 01, 2012rstucke35 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Fastastic book with intriguing and exciting stories about Science. Very cool.
Aug 25, 2012mswendybe rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
You don't have to be a science geek to love this book. Easy to read stories about the history of the Periodic Table. You'll laugh, you'll cringe, you'll be amazed!
nancyk228
May 28, 2012nancyk228 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
If you want to learn about the history of the invention of chemistry and physics in a charming and witty way, this is the book for you. Who knew there was so much politics between reseachers and about their idiocyncracies and competition…
InqMin95
May 13, 2012InqMin95 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of the most consistently interesting and entertaining books on the development of this area of science for the general reader - This books relates the explorations (successful and unsuccessful) into defining and discovering the…
rachelcorbett
Nov 30, 2011rachelcorbett rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A great read, science presented in an accessible way.
Nov 07, 2011VRMurphy rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Accidentally ordered the audiobook copy instead of the book one. It's quite interesting but I think that, for me anyway, the material is better suited to a traditional paper version, so I can flip back to doublecheck some of the info or…
jimbedley
Sep 30, 2011jimbedley rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Read this book!
Jul 30, 2011Ubalstecha rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book gives the history of the periodic table and discovery of the elements that are contained within. Author Sam Kean has arranged elements both into their well known groupings, but also into the groups of elements that share a…