The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

The Disappearing Spoon

And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

2010 • 391 pages

Ratings76

Average rating4

15

Delightful, although somewhat convoluted - necessarily so, I suppose, since the elements are so deeply intertwined among each other, as are the humans involved in their stories. At heart this is really a book about relationships, which is perhaps what makes it so enthralling to me. Kean writes with enthusiasm about a subject he deeply loves. His organization - the way he lays out sections and chapters - shows a great deal of planning and forethought. It's original and curiously effective.This was especially fun to read alongside [b:The Elements 12651327 Elements A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe Theodore Gray https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1404579085l/12651327.SX50.jpg 6873223], that gorgeous coffee-table book that is just too hard to get through otherwise. I would read a bit of Disappearing Spoon, get intrigued, refer to Elements, ogle the pictures, learn something different, and back and forth. I highly recommend this way of reading.

April 10, 2020