The Periodic Table is huge and intricate and seen to be a thing for only Scientists to worry about. This book allows all to have access to what the symbols and two-letter Scrabble words that everyone thinks must be cheating actually mean and also where we can encounter them in everyday life. From Batteries to Toothpaste, Einsteinium to toy cars, it's truly awe-inspiring to find out how many of these elements we really know in other forms. Gray allows us to see materials in their stunning raw form and then tells us their history, discovery and where they are used. This is the coffee table book of the Science world but also an amazing collection by a man that is passionate about how the materials featured make up the world around us and wanting to make this accessible to a wider audience.
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"I don't know if this is the first coffee-table book paying lush photographic homage to the periodic table, but it is certainly the most gorgeous one I've seen." --John Tierney, --The New York Times
About the Author
Theodore Gray is the author of the bestselling The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe, Theodore Gray s Elements Vault and Theo Gray s Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home, But Probably Shouldn t . He is the proprietor of periodictable.com. With his company Touch Press, Gray is the developer of the bestselling iPad and iPhone ebook app, The Elements, Solar System and The Waste Land. Nick Mann is a freelance photographer. Aside from having photographed more elements than probably anyone in the world, he is an accomplished landscape, sports and event photographer.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have noticed that many of the popular science books that are currently available tend to scrimp a little on chemstry. National Geographic's otherwise excellent 'The Science Book', for example, has a criminally short section on chemistry, whilst simultaneously taking a leisurely stroll through astronomy, evolution, geology, ecology and even maths! Not that these subjects are uninteresting, it's simply that I feel chemistry is underepresented.
This is where books like 'The Elements' come in handy. Theodore Gray has done a superb job of making a fascinating subject digestible to those who do not necessarily understand the academic side of chemistry. His book is packed with eye-catching pictures and humorous descriptions. This is a book which is, of course, very light on actual science, but then it's not intended as a technical manual.
One thing I would add is that, given the very large number of photos in the book, the text is inevitably limited. One occasionally has the impression of reading a picture book. This, however, is not a criticism, since many of the photos are interesting and help the reader to retain information by presenting a visual cue.
A good counter-balance to this unabashed visual feast would be John Emsley's far more sober 'Nature's Building Blocks', which has no pictures but instead concentrates on a richer description of each element along with a historical context which is lacking in this volume. One thing I prefer about 'The Elements' is that it proceeds according to the order of the periodic table, beginning with hydrogen and going from there. Emsley's book takes an encyclopaedic approach and begins with actinium.... Read more ›
This is where books like 'The Elements' come in handy. Theodore Gray has done a superb job of making a fascinating subject digestible to those who do not necessarily understand the academic side of chemistry. His book is packed with eye-catching pictures and humorous descriptions. This is a book which is, of course, very light on actual science, but then it's not intended as a technical manual.
One thing I would add is that, given the very large number of photos in the book, the text is inevitably limited. One occasionally has the impression of reading a picture book. This, however, is not a criticism, since many of the photos are interesting and help the reader to retain information by presenting a visual cue.
A good counter-balance to this unabashed visual feast would be John Emsley's far more sober 'Nature's Building Blocks', which has no pictures but instead concentrates on a richer description of each element along with a historical context which is lacking in this volume. One thing I prefer about 'The Elements' is that it proceeds according to the order of the periodic table, beginning with hydrogen and going from there. Emsley's book takes an encyclopaedic approach and begins with actinium.... Read more ›
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A Brilliant book, bang up to date with the elements tables. Easy access to basic information on the Elements. Easy reading so any person interested in element could pick up this book and start learning. Even those who are experienced in Elements, it is a brilliant book to brush up your existing knowledge.
Excellent compliment to the building blocks of life which is also by the same author.
Excellent read.
Excellent compliment to the building blocks of life which is also by the same author.
Excellent read.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Gman
Format:Hardcover
Having a masters degree in chemistry I have always been fascinated with the natural sciences. This book however can be read and understood by anyone at any level. The book has beautiful photos of all the elements with a description of they are commonly used for.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Adam Smith
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a beautifully produced book, and the contents are fascinating. If you want to understand more of the variety of the elements and how they are grouped in families, do start here. Wonderful photographs, descriptions of the nature and family group of each element, how they are used, and if you want a little more on atomic numbers and such like, thats there as well. I did A Level Chemistry 43 years ago, and this was a delightful re-entry into the world of the elements. Learnt lots and lots I didnt learn then, Unhesitatingly recommend this colourful and well written book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This 239 paged encyclopedia-standard guide about the 118 elements in the priodic table is one of its kind: comprehensive, informative and innovative. Elements may seem like testing materials only but this book reminds readers that elements are what our tangible universe made of and ignites excitement in young children to learn more. THE book showcases each element with glorious full-page photographs with images that are familiar to us and with texts stunningly humorous, educational and entertaining. Within the two pages readers also get essential scientific data about the elements from its weight, density, radius, crystal structure to Electron Order Filling, Atomic Emission Spectrum and State Matter.
Our 8-year old refers to it often and it will be put into good use for many years. This book is practical and serves as his own coach that takes him by hand to explore every known atom in the world. When asked what he liked most in the book, he answered "I like Boron the most(5; p22)because it is harder than diamond and you can find it in silly potty." Mr. Gray should be happy to know that "Poor Boron- with a name like that," has finally earned some respect.
Our 8-year old refers to it often and it will be put into good use for many years. This book is practical and serves as his own coach that takes him by hand to explore every known atom in the world. When asked what he liked most in the book, he answered "I like Boron the most(5; p22)because it is harder than diamond and you can find it in silly potty." Mr. Gray should be happy to know that "Poor Boron- with a name like that," has finally earned some respect.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By B. Tarry
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great book, well presented with good photography and interesting snippets of information about all the elements there are. Great for dipping into although it was interesting enough that I read it cover to cover.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Rower
Format:Hardcover
The best periodic table reference book I have read. It gives you the underpinning knowledge on all of the elements known to man.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Roy
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book covers 100 of the elements of the Periodic Table each with its own two page spread (the last 18 elements get a short mention only). Has many glorious colour shots and a 'friendly' write up of facts about each element. Much more of a 'coffee table' style of book than an in depth scientific study, it never the less is a most absorbing book that I keep picking up and putting down as I work my way through natures building blocks.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Pictures
Purchased this for my son who loves chemistry. He said "it has very concise yet detailed information on almost every known element, combined with amazing pictures that make it... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Valerie
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a gem of a book
Bought this for my 14 year old son for his birthday...what a find! A beautiful book with fascinating information about all the elements and packed full of photos... Read more
Published 2 months ago by R. Green
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delivers what it promises
Sight is our most important sense, and so it's always nice to see what something looks like. As most of us aren't going to hold a physical specimen of each element in our hands,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by David Getling
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nicely presented, a little dumbed down...
This book is an interesting book (if you are like me, as my girlfriend calls me 'a nerd') and has lots of images of the elements and compounds and artifacts that each element is... Read more
Published 4 months ago by James Mousley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Atomic Po Rn
The best way to sum up this book is element porn! A visual guide to all of the 118 known elements (ok some aren't visual) with information and pictures of what the elements look... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mozillate Wildly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
A fabulous book! Informative and educational and a good read. Even if you are not studying, this book is great to browse.
Published 5 months ago by AuroraNaboo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent photos
This book is a great way of introducing anyone to the periodic table and the elements. Nice big photographs on a black background really works. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. S. P. Flitton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really lovely Book!
This is definitely the kind of book you can leave on the table and you will look at it over and over again. Read more
Published 5 months ago by M
5.0 out of 5 stars
lovely gift for the fan of all elements!
gift for a friend's 21st who said it's very well layout and pictures are amazing also the explaination are simple to read for a beginner in this field of interest. Recommendable
Published 5 months ago by Dimples
4.0 out of 5 stars
The elements, is a fascinating illustrative book of known elements
Very graphical description of the elements with plenty of photographs and a detailed resume of their practical applications in common items we use everyday . Read more
Published 5 months ago by Xavier
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