A must read…About the Periodic Table

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

This book is fascinating and mesmerizing. It's a must-read for science and chemistry students. (Other editions have different covers.)

Had I had this book in high school (back in the dark ages) or had these things explained to me (as this book does) I know I could have aced chemistry and would have probably garnered a scholarship.

YES! A book about the PeriodicTable is "can't put down" good.

Read this description. Absorb it! Savor it!

I know you'll thank me for the recommendation! 😊

The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean.

- - - - -

From the publisher...

Product Description

From New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean comes incredible stories of science, history, finance, mythology, the arts, medicine, and more, as told by the Periodic Table.  Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters?   The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession.…

More info is in this Amazon description.

https://www.amazon.com/Disappearing-Spoon-Madness-Periodic-Elements/dp/0316051632/ref=pd_aw_ci_mcx_mh_ci_mcx_mr_mp_m_0?pd_rd_w=LDNu2&content-id=amzn1.sym.35902b32-404e-4cd6-915f-c270c21c0ad7&pf_rd_p=35902b32-404e-4cd6-915f-c270c21c0ad7&pf_rd_r=8Q5YC3N1S6BVFKM1TY9P&pd_rd_wg=XA4Ny&pd_rd_r=ec22540e-e39e-4603-aa5b-12fa775f0876&pd_rd_i=0316051632

Featured Answer

maire_cate

3 years ago

Thanks for the recommendation. I did not do well in chemistry but DH and all 3 kids excelled in the sciences. DH taught AP chemistry for 2 years before heading off to med school.

I think I'll order a 'real' book so they can pass it around.

I also did not do well in Calculus........

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

roy4me
3 years ago
Thanks. I am going to order it.

Can't decide if I want it on my Kindle or the paperback.
caroline94535 thanked roy4me
salonva
3 years ago
Thank you. I was a really good student in high school, loved and did well in all subjects......until chemistry. It just made no sense to me. I did ok in it, but it turned me off to science.

I am really curious to read this book. I've added it to my goodreads list.

For those who care, it has a 3.9 rating, with over 47K readers, and is 394 pages.
caroline94535 thanked salonva
Related Discussions
Minimum ownership period of land for equity?
Q
Comments (10)
I think your lender is actually inaccurate. I have read about new guidelines which require lot/land loans which are rolled into a construction loan to be "seasoned" for a minimum of 12 months. But if you own the land outright, how can a lender put any sort of time penalty on you? What would be the reason? Hope you built your reserves back up a bit, maybe? Are you using your original purchase price as cash equity you are bringing to the table? Perhaps the lender wants to know the land is still valued that high?? A qualified vacant land appraiser should be able to answer this concern. I dunno. It doesn't make sense to me. If there really is such a rule, I would suggest treating it as a guideline, telling this lender 8 months is long enough, then politely asking if he really wants your business. ~Allen
...See More
55 yrs. old and still having periods
Q
Comments (145)
I am 55 and have been on birth control pills for the last three years. Doctor says I should get off of them because I shouldn't be taking them at my age. I have enjoyed a period, symptom free, glorious three years. Reading this blog Im terrified to go off of them. I dont want all of this to start again. I may get off of them for a few months and get the blood test to see where I am hormonally. I have had friends who have gone through menopause on the pill - gotten to the other side and were symptom free. My doctor also wants me to have an ablation because of my age. After reading about that theres no way. There is NOTHING WRONG with me. I have a bmi of 19%, I count my macros and do Crossfit four times a week. I dont want to goof myself up. Clueless what to do. Oh and family history wise.....my mother was 40 when I was born and she's 94 now and still kickin! Help!!
...See More
Painful periods, mega clotting & spotting in between
Q
Comments (43)
I saw the doctor this morning and these are my choices. Take birth control pills to regulate my periods or preferably Prevera to regulate them. The provera has made me gain weight in the past and the doctor says that is because it gives you more of an appetite. A cyst was found on one of my ovaries on the ultrasound. The doctor says I must have another ultrasound in 8 weeks to see if it gets smaller or goes away. If not, he recommends a hysterectomy OR he says I can schedule a hysterectomy for his first opening in April in which he will also remove my ovaries. I am almost 51 and the doctor says I am not in menopause although I could get it soon. The ultrasound confirmed multiple fibroids and that it is like I am 15 weeks pregnant. My first inclination is to wait for the next ultrasound to see if a hysterectomy is warranted anyways while not taking any pills for the next 2 months. Should the cyst problem go away on its own, should I go on Provera or birth control pills and ride this out until I reach menopause. The chances are minute that the fibroids are cancerous. Of course, he would want to keep a close eye on the fibroids if I don't have the surgery. My periods are still extremely painful, heavier than before, 7-8 days now instead of the 3-4 days before and I have lots of clotting. Also, the spotting I am constantly getting between periods is old blood, according to the doctor. The surgery doesn't scare me. I love the thought of no more periods but am I exchanging one problem for another by going thru with the surgery? The doctor also explained that he would take the ovaries (even without the cyst problem) because women over 45 have more of a chance for cancer if they kept their ovaries. Besides, I had my tubes tied years ago and don't want any more children. Any suggestions out there for me? What would you do in my place?
...See More
Finished period kitchen - 1925 Craftsman Bungalow
Q
Comments (48)
I'm late to the thread - got here on from a search for more info on the Bosch Electric slidein. What impressed me most - was how appropriate the Bosch smoothtop looked in that period kitchen. It looks much bettter than any gas range with the ugly grates would look - and far better than those gawdy inudstrial wanna-be lookalikes that IMO very inappropriately dominate and destroy the look of a proper reproduction early era residential kitchen. Despite the modern electronics on the oven - the Bosch has that classic UNDERSTATED elegance which is the true character of an early 1900's home. The Bosch is obviously not a true reproduction antique stove - but the flat top FAR more closely reproduces the iron flat top that was truly autentic to stoves in the same era as your home. We're currently undergoing a total interior reconstruction on our 1905 Edwardian Home in Toronto, and also are taking pains to be true to the original character like you were. LOVE the backsplash - and the black trim accents - was well worth the effort. Currently - the Bosch Integra Electric HEI7282 is on sale at Sears in Canada. We're thinking of purchasing one today - and immmediately using it in the temporary living zone we have carved out in our otherwise total construction zone house. Can't seem to bring ourselves to clean up and use the 20 year old filthy, came with the house, electric coil range which has been stored in the garage all winter - LOL. Our new kitchen won't be ready for a few months.
...See More
Annie Deighnaugh
3 years ago
Sounds like one of those fun fact books...like "don't know much about history"...
caroline94535 thanked Annie Deighnaugh
roxanna
3 years ago
Great book -- I've owned it for years! And yes, it would have made my high school chemistry experience SO much better, lol. Funny how almost 60 years later, so many things are more interesting and understandable. But with the expansion of new elements since my time, memorizing the periodic table must be even more daunting. (Do kids still have to do that?)
caroline94535 thanked roxanna
User
3 years ago
I'll look for it at the library. It's been a long time since chemistry class, but I remember the Periodic Table was so much more than a grid display of chemicals - the arrangement grouped chemicals into families that meant something important (exactly what I don't remember!). Sounds like a fun read, as long as there's no test at the end :-)
caroline94535 thanked User
User
3 years ago
Thanks. My library is acquiring it. I put a future hold on it. 💖
caroline94535 thanked User
Bookwoman
3 years ago
Whenever I think of the periodic table I remember this::
caroline94535 thanked Bookwoman
bpath
3 years ago
We listened to the audiobook on the morning drives to high school. It’s fascinating! And I’m not sure I’d call it a ”fun facts” book, it’s more involved than that, with ”stories” that intertwine.
caroline94535 thanked bpath
Elmer J Fudd
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thanks for the interesting suggestion, just downloaded an e-version. I've long been interested in things scientific, having started college with a physical science major but switched midway through. For many years, my morning coffee cup was one with the periodic table printed on it that I picked up at a science museum.
caroline94535 thanked Elmer J Fudd
Patriciae
3 years ago
I am going to order that. It sounds fun. I have a minor is Chemistry and yet somehow did not get taught the periodic table. Well of course I studied up on my own but how did that happen. I suppose I didn't get it in high school and my college courses assumed I had. I am sure I will learn a few things.
caroline94535 thanked Patriciae
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
3 years ago
Thanks for the recommendation. I will probably order it (from our local independent bookstore!) or go to the l;ibrary. Actually, might be perfect as a birthday gift for DH. :-)
caroline94535 thanked cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
User
3 years ago
We’ve had that book for a few years now. Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I think I have to have a re-read. Thanks
caroline94535 thanked User
Fun2BHere
3 years ago
Thanks for the recommendation because I was out of books to read. I borrowed it from the library.

A must read…About the Periodic Table

maire_cate

Comments (14)

roy4me

salonva

Related Discussions

Annie Deighnaugh

roxanna

User

User

Bookwoman

bpath

Elmer J Fudd

Patriciae

cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)

User

Fun2BHere

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US