The Disappearing Spoon

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

By: Sam Kean

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

“The Disappearing Spoon is my favorite kind of science journalism: it reveals a hidden universe in the form of a thrilling tale.” (BoingBoing)

“Arthur C. Clarke once noted that truly advanced science cannot be distinguished from magic. Kean succeeds in giving us the cold hard facts, both human and chemical, behind the astounding phenomena without sacrificing any of the wonder — a trait vital to any science writer worth his NaCl." (Entertainment Weekly)

Science Magazine reporter Sam Kean reveals the periodic table as it’s never been seen before. Not only is it one of man's crowning scientific achievements, it's also a treasure trove of stories of passion, adventure, betrayal, and obsession. The infectious tales and astounding details in The Disappearing Spoon follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them.

We learn that Marie Curie used to provoke jealousy in colleagues' wives when she'd invite them into closets to see her glow-in-the-dark experiments. And that Lewis and Clark swallowed mercury capsules across the country; their campsites are still detectable by the poison in the ground. Why did Gandhi hate iodine? Why did the Japanese kill Godzilla with missiles made of cadmium? And why did tellurium lead to the most bizarre gold rush in history? From the Big Bang to the end of time, it's all in The Disappearing Spoon.

©2010 Sam Kean (P)2010 Tantor

Entertaining

For the person who likes science. This book does an excellent job weaving science and world history together in a delightful audiobook. Some very good stories from the race to find new elements to world intrigue and how Colorado played a role in the World Wars. If science were taught like this, we would have many more budding scientists.

great narration makes it digestible

For a non-scientist like me, what makes this book digestible is its terrific narration. Kean does a really good job laying out the history and content of the periodic table, supported by many interesting stories. Towards the end, there is a fascinating chapter on weight and measure.

Elemental For Anyone With An Interest In Science

I had heard about this book on NPR, when they interviewed the author. I truly enjoyed this exploration of the periodic table, and the elements. I wish high school chemistry had been this intersting. Sam Kean explores the history of many of the elements, from their discovery to modern day importance. Very informative and entertaining.

Grand and Fascinating

This was a thoroughly enjoyable listen. The format of the book - with historical anecdotes about each of the elements - makes it easy to listen to in bits and pieces while the skillful writing stitches all the stories together if you prefer to read it straight through. Sean Runnette's narration is excellent.

Brilliant!!!!

This author brought so much intrigue and humor to this topic matter, that I was sad to hear it end. I just wanted him to continue telling me little anecdotal tales about the Elements. It was bright and clever, never boring or dry. You'll be glad you listened to this one, and as I did, get it into the hands of your friends.

Ok

I think this book could have been half as long as it is. It was a struggle at times.

Chemistry made bright, shiny and fun!

A book on the periodic table is a highly improbable selection - for me, at least. But, truly it has colored and brightened the topic so pleasantly that I cannot recommend it strongly enough. After designing a chemistry curriculum for my fourth and final home educated kiddo, I thought this book would serve as a nice compliment to the more tedious tasks of balancing chemical equations and fiddling with bunsen burners. We read it together.

We were so entertained by some of the sidekick info offered by Mr. Kean, that even though it was sometimes hard to parse the content, we looked forward it cheerfully. Never did I think that acquiring literacy in the fundamentals of chemistry would be something to put a spring in my step. The 15 year old found my wonderment, as Kean worked his magic with artful anecdotes, a littlle, um, inconvenient, shall we say?

This book WILL engage you, whether you are 15 or 50. Visiting Kean’s website, I discovered that he has other books like this one and we will start The Violinists Thumb in a few weeks!

Kean takes topics that mere mortals (like me) find dull and dusty and somehow makes them bright and shiny. Oh, bless this man. #clever #witty #mindbending #forensic #scienceiscool #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Playing with mercury is fun

I never found the periodic table all that interesting, but this book has changed my mind. I couldn't stop myself from pausing this book frequently to tell people about the interesting story or fact I had just learned. Great book!

Not sure what I expected, but it was good

There are plenty of stories in this book along with some interesting chemistry. Some I knew; quite a bit I did not. It is a lot of information, but it's interesting to see how human all of the "great scientific minds" truly were. #Triviatastic #WorthAListen #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Simply Amazing

I'm not a scientist and was a bit concerned that this would be way over my head - but I was intrigued with 20 minutes and could not put it down. I had no idea about how cool it is to find out about the history of the discovery of the elements, the creation of the periodic table and so many, many - many interesting facts leading up to the creation and discovery process!

Fascinating! A recommended read even if you don't study science.