Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Helpful Score: 3
The Disappearing Spoon is unlike any other book I have ever read. I don't usually get into all the science of anything, I am one of those people who love watching science, but not doing. However, The Disappearing Spoon is in a field of it's own in my opinion.
Not only is it about science, but also history, love, and crazy crazy!
The Periodic Table - I remember this vaguely from middle school - again, I know we had to memorize it, but I didn't remember it! H20 was about all I can recall. But, in The Disappearing Spoon, each chapter begins with a few codes from the Periodic table and then proceeds to give you the low down on that particular element, along with a bit of history.
For instance, King Midas - everyone knows about him right? We learn about tin (he discovered it), graphite and white lead (he discovered those too) and everything he "touched" turned to gold.
The title of this book really caught my attention. How does a spoon disappear? Gallium is a moldable metal and is solid at room temperature. Back in the day, scientists got a great kick out of making gallium spoons and then serving them with tea. The kicker was the guests were flabbergasted when their spoons disappeared (melted) which they will do when exposed to any temperature over 84 degrees. Interesting right?
There is so much more packed into this book. There is a ton of science, history, and entertainment packed within these pages. Highly educational, entertaining, and I sincerely think it might help my son out this year in his chemistry class. Well worth the read!
Not only is it about science, but also history, love, and crazy crazy!
The Periodic Table - I remember this vaguely from middle school - again, I know we had to memorize it, but I didn't remember it! H20 was about all I can recall. But, in The Disappearing Spoon, each chapter begins with a few codes from the Periodic table and then proceeds to give you the low down on that particular element, along with a bit of history.
For instance, King Midas - everyone knows about him right? We learn about tin (he discovered it), graphite and white lead (he discovered those too) and everything he "touched" turned to gold.
The title of this book really caught my attention. How does a spoon disappear? Gallium is a moldable metal and is solid at room temperature. Back in the day, scientists got a great kick out of making gallium spoons and then serving them with tea. The kicker was the guests were flabbergasted when their spoons disappeared (melted) which they will do when exposed to any temperature over 84 degrees. Interesting right?
There is so much more packed into this book. There is a ton of science, history, and entertainment packed within these pages. Highly educational, entertaining, and I sincerely think it might help my son out this year in his chemistry class. Well worth the read!
Dianne (gardngal) reviewed The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements on + 268 more book reviews
I thought this would be a fascinating book, and it IS! However, it was just a bit too scientific for my taste... D.
Karen K. (krin) reviewed The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements on + 407 more book reviews
This is a fascinating book about the elements placed in the context of their discovery and their impact on everything. I liked how Kean groups the elements in various contexts, such as medicine and money.
John O. (buzzby) -
Great book, I'd agree with the other reviewer that the end got a little too scientific. But the author has a good, folksy style (at least, for a scientist).
Leo T. reviewed The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements on + 1775 more book reviews
Most excellent book and again it proves how good our 20th C. high school education was. I never took Chemistry except as a 10th grader (aged 14-15) in 1961-1962 but found it easy to understand this volume until the last chapter or two (plasma, etc.) Out West we had good high school educations in the 20th Century....
The author does have some endnotes but it is not a scholarly book where you can follow a footnote to his source. As he said, Mr. Kean is sharing things commonly known among advanced Chemistry, Biology, and Astrophysics students.
The periodic table is full of interesting, unpredictable stories if you know where to look (and the author certainly does).
No wonder that there are a hundred wishes outstanding.
I could barely squeak out a B from Mr. Tracy, but I had a good lab partner. He wore a bow tie and would sometimes play on the organ to accompany an assembly program. He told us that he liked to stop at factories and obtain a tour to learn of their processes when on vacation. At the time, I wondered what Mrs. Tracy thought of such outings....
The author does have some endnotes but it is not a scholarly book where you can follow a footnote to his source. As he said, Mr. Kean is sharing things commonly known among advanced Chemistry, Biology, and Astrophysics students.
The periodic table is full of interesting, unpredictable stories if you know where to look (and the author certainly does).
No wonder that there are a hundred wishes outstanding.
I could barely squeak out a B from Mr. Tracy, but I had a good lab partner. He wore a bow tie and would sometimes play on the organ to accompany an assembly program. He told us that he liked to stop at factories and obtain a tour to learn of their processes when on vacation. At the time, I wondered what Mrs. Tracy thought of such outings....
