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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
Product Description
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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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 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.
21 of 21 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.
In conclusion, 'The Elements' is a satisfying book which contains just enough information to retain the interest of an experienced chemistry student whilst all the time remaining entirely accessible to an amateur. Highly recommended.
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.
In conclusion, 'The Elements' is a satisfying book which contains just enough information to retain the interest of an experienced chemistry student whilst all the time remaining entirely accessible to an amateur. Highly recommended.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Elements: A visual exploration of every known atom
This is the best book I have bought in many years. The explanations are clear and the photographs are fantastic.
Published 3 months ago by Worried Lady!
Nicely designed educational calendar
I bought this calendar as a present for my partner who's a science teacher (romantic, I know) - and it has brightened up the wall in her lab with some great pictures of, and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. S. B. Bayley
Elemental Mr Watson!
Simply put: this is the best introductory book to the elements ever produced.
The book is packed full of glorious asides, trivia and solid information. Read more
The book is packed full of glorious asides, trivia and solid information. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bookman
Superb book
This is the best science book I have read in a long time. The illustrations are lovely and very informative. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. Walker
Elements
A book which everyone intereted in chemistry, and that means planet earth, should have. Magnificent photographs and packed with information. Every school should have one.
Published 5 months ago by Gerald Firth
Elements Calendar
Purchased this for my granddaughter who is in her second year at High School, she is very interested in this subject
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. Thelma E. Hawley
Interesting Pictorial Book
Great book for the science geek in the family.
Every periodic element in detail with pictorial representation and ramdon factual information about the elements that make up... Read more
Every periodic element in detail with pictorial representation and ramdon factual information about the elements that make up... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Geoff
School homework
Purchased for my sons school homework brilliant book for reference and general knowledge covers all elements with good ref to facts etc.
Published 6 months ago by Yorkshire man
First Class - Well Written, Amusing and Very Informative
I heartily recommend this book. It's informative without being complicated, beautifully illustrated and an excellent read - either in its entirety or as a book to dip into now and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by A. Bull
Purchase review for Elements book
This is an excellent and fascinating book at a good price. As an ex chemistry teacher I am very impressed. The delivery was in a reasonable timescale.
Published 9 months ago by IRD
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