The Disappearing Spoon Audiobook By Sam Kean cover art

The Disappearing Spoon

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

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The Disappearing Spoon

By: Sam Kean
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
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About this listen

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
Chemistry History Physics Science & Technology World Thought-Provoking Suspenseful War String Theory
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Editorial reviews

Those of you who try but can’t always avoid grabbing handrails on subways and buses may be relieved to know that elements used by many transportation systems like copper and silver are naturally antibacterial. The structure and composition of the metal is somehow able to inactivate the bacteria, making it an ideal surface for things like…subway handrails.

This is the type of instantly lovable, immediately gratifying knowledge you get from Sam Kean’s The Disappearing Spoon, a fascinating column-by-column, row-by-row dissection of the periodic table. Kean must be commended for turning what could have been boring historical and scientific accounts into bite-sized human dramas filled with humorous moments and ironic twists. The predictable accounts of science heroes like Marie Curie and Dmitri Mendeleev are given fresh new spins, while the tales of lesser-known scientists are told with gusto. Only in the last few chapters did things get a little heady for me, but I’m admittedly on a steep learning curve when it comes to atoms, electrons, neutrons, and the like.

The remarkably intriguing narration by Sean Runnette is the icing on the cake here. He had his work cut out for him even in good hands, the science could be overbearing for a narrator to effectively relay to the listener. Runnette gives weight to the text by employing an authoritative but gently understanding tone of voice. He doesn’t pose as the high school science teacher reading from the textbook, but instead as the calm and patient tutor willing to work with you until you understand. His David Strathairn-like voice works to keep you entertained even while discussing P-shells, superatoms, Molybdenum, and the causes of Japan’s Itai-itai disease. Runnette’s standout moments come when describing the constant bickering between scientists claiming ownership over element discoveries. He voices these sections with such giddy, tongue-in-cheek glee that the listener can’t help but chuckle along. This ability to reach across the periodic table into the common interests of non-science loving listeners is key to the success of Runnette’s narration. Armed with Runnette’s performance, The Dissappearing Spoon amounts to a captivating audio account of the history, science, and meaning behind the elements on the periodic table. Josh Ravitz

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What listeners say about The Disappearing Spoon

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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63 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

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Ok

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

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

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

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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

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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.

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