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Nature's Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements (Paperback)

by John Emsley (Author)

5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Molecules at an Exhibition: Portraits of Intriguing Materials in Everyday Life by John Emsley
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Product details

Paperback: 560 pages
Publisher: OUP Oxford (24 Jul 2003)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0198503407
ISBN-13: 978-0198503408
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 3.3 cm

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 27,540 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#5 in	Books > Scientific, Technical & Medical > Chemistry > Inorganic Chemistry
#7 in	Books > Science & Nature > Chemistry > Inorganic Chemistry
#11 in	Books > Science & Nature > Chemistry > Reference

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Product Description

A readable, informative, fascinating entry on each one of the 100-odd chemical elements, arranged alphabetically from actinium to zirconium. Each entry comprises an explanation of where the element's name comes from, followed by Body element (the role it plays in living things), Element of history (how and when it was discovered), Economic element (what it is used for), Environmental element (where it occurs, how much), Chemical element (facts, figures and narrative), and Element of surprise (an amazing, little-known fact about it). A wonderful 'dipping into' source for the family reference shelf and for students.

About the Author

John Emsley lectured in chemistry for twenty-five years at in the University of London, and he is the author of over a hundred research papers. He is now Science Writer in Residence in the Chemistry Department at the University of Cambridge. Emsley's 'Molecule of the Month' column for The Independent, which ran from 1990 to 1996, brought home to a wide readership how chemistry impinges on every aspect of our daily lives. In 1993 he received a Glaxo Award for science
writing, and in 1994 won the Chemical Industries Association's President's Award for science communication. John Emsley's much praised book The Consumer's Good Chemical Guide won the Rhone-Poulenc Science Book Prize in 1995. He lives in London. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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	84% buy the item featured on this page: Nature's Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide to the Elements 5.0 out of 5 stars (11) �6.49
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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful guide to the elements and chemistry, 25 Mar 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Nature's Building Blocks - An A-Z Guide to the Elements (Hardcover)

I read this book like a novel. It describes all the elements, in alphabetical order, with the history of their discovery, their economic use, their role in animals, the environment, and medicine, and their chemisty. I particularly enjoyed the "Element of surprise" section. There is also a short but fascinating description of the history of the discovery of the Periodic Table. This book can probably be enjoyed by someone without any scientific background whatsoever.

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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, 29 Aug 2003

By	"tyrannyofpoetry" - See all my reviews

Anyone from a chemistry geek (ie, me) to a person just curious about the world around them would find something to enjoy in this encyclopedic exploration of all the elements, natural and manmade. Even the rarest elements have a detailed entry, explaining their role in the environment, society, and an interesting fact. The "Element of Surprise" fact is perhaps the best treat of the book, showing an unexpected side to each atom. Along the way, a firm grounding in the history of chemistry, scientific measurements, and particle physics is given in easily accessed language. A perfect reference book to enjoy and then trot out when a lull in conversation demands an obscure anecdote about magnesium.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Joy To Read, 5 Jan 2008

By	Andrew Kerr (Scotland) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Natures Building Blocks: An A-Z Guide To The Elements, is an outstanding book, and quite possibly the greatest science book I've ever read. It is filled with countless fascinating facts, such as why an octopus has blue blood and why some people can consume more than twice the lethal dose of Arsenic and live. It really is an excellent reference book for anyone interested in chemistry, biology, nutrition, medicine, or history, and you'll find yourself going back to it time and time again. It does get `slightly' scientific in places such as when it starts to talk about the various isotopes of an element, so some basic knowledge of chemistry is recommended. But it is not overly technical so it's not essential. The sections I enjoyed the most were the `medical elements' which I found extremely interesting. The book is very well structured and easy to follow. This is the kind of book that makes you feel smarter, a true joy to read and I recommend to all. No one could possibly be disappointed.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An elementary purchase!
As a chemistry teacher, this book is quite simply excellent. Whatever element you need to know about, its here - and not just boring facts. Read more

Published 1 month ago by C. Baker

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot more readable than you would expect!
When I first bought this book, I was a little sceptical. Was I really going to find the courage of reading through all the elements of the periodic table, including Hafnium and... Read more

Published 7 months ago by Hercule Poirot

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Its been pretty thoroughly reviewed already but essentially the author takes each of the first 100 elements (those with an atomic number over 100 are lumped together in a chapter... Read more

Published on 30 Jun 2007 by C. A. Gallagher

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating tour de force
This is an outstanding piece of work aimed at the intellectually and scientifically curious that also works as a nice reference book on the elements and the Periodic Table... Read more

Published on 14 Mar 2007 by Dennis Littrell

5.0 out of 5 stars Is this the best science book ever written?
Yes quite possibly!
Brilliantly written and very readable. You can work your way a-z or just browse and turn your thinking of elements and chemistry from; "its a collection... Read more

Published on 2 Nov 2006 by Gareth Bessant

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure delight.
This is a wonderful read - absolutely un-put-downable. It achieves what some may think is the impossible - a book about chemistry or physics that is also entertaining. Read more

Published on 27 Dec 2003 by earlyminor

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!
I am a student studying A-Level Chemistry and this was bought as a gift for me by my former Chemistry teacher. Read more

Published on 5 Dec 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars ablsolutely marvelous
i have never in all of my life come against such a brilliant science book. i find it interesting that zinc gives you sexual powers, and oysters are full of it. Read more

Published on 18 Nov 2001 by saxojon@aol.com

› See all 11 customer reviews...

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