The Science of Breaking Bad

by Dave Trumbore, Donna J. Nelson

All the science in Breaking Bad--from explosive experiments to acid-based evidence destruction--explained and analyzed for authenticity.Breaking Bad's (anti)hero Walter White (played by Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston) is a scientist, a high school chemistry teacher who displays a plaque that recognizes his "contributions to research awarded the Nobel Prize." During the course of five seasons, Walt practices a lot of ad hoc chemistry--from experiments that explode to acid-based evidence destruction to an amazing repertoire of methodologies for illicit meth making. But how much of Walt's science is actually scientific? In The Science of "Breaking Bad, " Dave Trumbore and Donna Nelson explain, analyze, and evaluate the show's portrayal of science, from the pilot's opening credits to the final moments of the series finale. The intent is not, of course, to provide a how-to manual for wannabe meth moguls but to decode the show's most head-turning, jaw-dropping moments. Trumbore, a science and entertainment writer, and Nelson, a professor of chemistry and Breaking Bad's science advisor, are the perfect scientific tour guides.



Trumbore and Nelson cover the show's portrayal of chemistry, biology, physics, and subdivisions of each area including toxicology and electromagnetism. They explain, among other things, Walt's DIY battery making; the dangers of Mylar balloons; the feasibility of using hydrofluoric acid to dissolve bodies; and the chemistry of methamphetamine itself. Nelson adds interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes and describes her work with the show's creator and writers. Marius Stan, who played Bogdan on the show (and who is a PhD scientist himself) contributes a foreword. This is a book for every science buff who appreciated the show's scientific moments and every diehard Breaking Bad fan who wondered just how smart Walt really was.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

262 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2019

Reviews

[Sumit RK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breaking Bad is one of television's greatest series. With a darkly gripping storyline, strong characters, excellent direction and some brilliant storytelling, it will remain one of the greatest TV shows ever made.




If you have watched Breaking Bad, a lot of the key points in the show revolved around Walter White’s genius-level knowledge of chemistry; from making meth to explosives to acids for destruction. But how much of Walt's science is actually scientific? The Science of Breaking Bad attempts to explain all the science in Breaking Bad. Note: If you haven’t watched the show, there are some major spoilers ahead.

Trumbore and Nelson (also Breaking Bad's science advisor) cover the show's portrayal of chemistry, biology, medical science, and physics. From the making of meth to Walt's DIY battery making, using hydrofluoric acid to dissolve bodies; from the thermite lockpick to making of Ricin. They move on to explosives, psychiatry, pediatrics, insecticides, cancer, poisons, and addiction. The fact-checking also extends into medical science, with the portrayal of Walt’s cancer, Jesse’s PTSD or Walter Jr's cerebral palsy.

So what exactly is “The Science of Breaking Bad” all about?

This book is NOT a step-by-step manual to cook Meth or make explosives. This book teaches neither of that but as a reader, you will learn the secrets behind some of the more harmless effects on the show and appreciate the mysteries and complexity of science. Almost every major feat of science in the show is tested and neatly categorized into fact and fiction. The goal of this book is to amplify the message that "Science can be Fun".

There are some parts of the book that explain the entire chemical process behind a chemical reaction and the formulas and equations and many chemical reactions might be a little overwhelming to some. Though it makes the book thorough, it may turn off the more casual readers. The structure of the book could have been better rather than jumping to any episode randomly.

All in all, an entertaining way to learn more about chemistry –and If you are a fan of the show, reading this book will remind you of some of your favorite scenes and plot moments. If you are a fan of the series, you will enjoy this one. 3.5/5

Many thanks to the publishers MIT Press, the authors Dave Trumbore, Donna J. Nelson, Marius Stan and Edelweiss for the ARC.

[Brian Clegg · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first sight I'm probably not the best person to review this book as I have never watched Breaking Bad (apart from repeatedly seeing bits of episode 2 when I played it more than 50 times while battery testing laptops) and have no desire to do so. However, I am very interested in how fiction portrays science and the claim this book makes is that Breaking Bad was uniquely impressive in the amount of real science it contained.

The format of the book is more than a little odd. One of the contributors, Donna Nelson, is a chemistry professor who responded to a call for a science consultant to the show. Each chapter starts with a section of reminiscence from Nelson about the joys and tribulations of the role. That's fine and often gives interesting insights, but for some reason it's printed in tiny text, significantly smaller than the rest of the book. I think the idea is to make it look like an email, but it just makes it hard to read. I remember chatting to a physicist who had just been science consultant on a science fiction movie and he was full of the production team's enthusiasm for science - but the movie was later slated for terrible science content. Nelson seems similarly beguiled by Hollywood and perhaps is a little too starstruck not to over compliment the production team for their dedication to science.

We then get two versions of an explanation from science writer Dave Trumbore of the Breaking Bad science on a particular topic, often focussing on one or two episodes. The first version is a high-level summary, labelled '101' after the odd US way of denoting basic university courses, and the other is 'Advanced'. These are well written and can be quite interesting - for example in the discussion of explosives and of producing a DIY battery. Although Trumbore probably gives the Breaking Bad people more credit than they deserve for being accurate, he is careful to point out where the demands of good storytelling or filming were reasonably thought to outweigh the requirement for scientific accuracy. I did feel, though, that some sections - for example the ones dealing with medical conditions from psychology to oncology - were just there to fill things out and weren't really about the presentation of science in the show.

Overall, despite the odd format, it's quite a good example of the 'science of...' genre. Though not as interesting as, say The Science of Middle Earth (which inevitably was a considerably harder task for the writer), it puts across quite a lot on that under-represented science chemistry - and though occasionally there was a little too much detail for this kind of book, it was generally well presented by Trumbore. There was too much obsession with the drug that was central to the storyline - the reverence the writers of the book had for the TV show occasionally verged on the sickly, and this particularly came across in the word count given over to the creation of the drug.

Realistically, few others will try reading this just for the science content. It will be read by fans of the show - the kind of people who watch the DVD again with the commentary switched on (I don't know if Breaking Bad has this, but other shows with cult followings do) - and such readers will certainly enjoy picking over the fine details of what happened in particular episodes, even if some of the heavier science points perhaps don't interest them. A good effort.

[Strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an advance copy of this book from Edelweiss/The MIT Press in exchange for a fair and honest review*

I am a fan of Breaking Bad, so naturally this title caught my eye and I had to request the advance copy of it. “The Science of Breaking Bad” is basically like an extended, printed edition of Mythbusters (the author, Dave Trumbore, refers to an episode of that show that focused specifically on some of the science of Breaking Bad numerous times). And Mr. Trumbore is very passionate about the subject! He tested the validity of pretty much every major feat of science in the show, from Hector Salamanca’s wheelchair bomb and the thermite lockpick, to body-dissolving acid and Hank’s exploding Schraderbräu beer bottles, alongside Dr. Donna Nelson, a chemistry professor who volunteered to be the on-set science consultant for Breaking Bad. Reading this book, one finds out what was accurately portrayed on screen and what was slightly manipulated to create more (literally) explosive results for the entertainment of the viewers. There are some parts of the book that might be a little overwhelming to some because of an abundance of formulas and equations to demonstrate how some of the chemical processes are achieved, but I don’t think that it detracts from the overall appeal to fans of the series. Mr. Trumbore even ventures into medical science, comparing on-screen PTSD, fugue states, panic attacks, and cerebral palsy, along with cancer and its treatment, to their real-life counterparts. Also sprinkled throughout the book are anecdotes provided by Dr. Nelson about her experience on the set and how amazed she was to see her input being played out on this massively popular TV show, which I particularly enjoyed. Another added bonus found throughout is science trivia taken from various episodes.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed “The Science of Breaking Bad.” I would highly recommend it to any fan of the series, whether they’re a chemistry whiz or not. It is a fun companion to those who appreciate the more explosive moments of Breaking Bad — although, as the authors point out more than once, “none of the information in this book is intended to be used in an illicit, illegal, or ill-advised manner”!

[Jack Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read for fans of the series. The authors truly know their science, and it’s laid out in such a way that’s informative without ever feeling stuffy or confusing. As a fan of the show, this was a great dissection of all the scenes in the show where science was used (spoiler: it happens a lot). Highly recommend this book, though I would say you should watch the show first, though that goes without question (spoilers and what have you).

[April Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome insight into many of the science scenes of breaking bad. I would give it all 5 stars, but I didn't understand over half of the chemistry sections (😏). Was like being in organic chemistry all over again - confusing & tedious, lolol. But I got the gist of it! Hah. Thanks to my friend Jack Connolly for the recommendation! :)

[Grrlscientist · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite television series is Breaking Bad. Unlike the vast majority of other popular television series that ran out of steam after a few seasons, the storyline, plotting, writing and characters never break down in this brilliant beacon of a show. Not only that, but the story relies heavily on science! It was the show’s popularity and the interesting science it depicted, that inspired this book, The Science of Breaking Bad by freelance science writer, Dave Trumbore, and chemist, Donna J. Nelson, the science advisor for the series (MIT Press, 2019.) Marius Stan, who played the carwash owner with the giant caterpillar-like eyebrows, Bogdan Wolynetz, on the show (and who is a senior scientist at the Nuclear Engineering division at Argonne National Laboratory) contributed a foreword to the book.

Over the course of five seasons, the series follows Walt as he transforms from a quiet high school chemistry teacher in New Mexico to a major manufacturer of ultra-pure illicit crystal methamphetamine. Walt has a lot of chemistry-based adventures along the way, from creating explosions to dissolving evidence of criminal activity in acid. Overall, the amount of chemistry presented in this show was quite impressive compared to the usual fare offered on television, and this has led many viewers to wonder how accurate and reproducible it is.

In this fun and engaging book, Mr. Trumbore and Dr. Nelson fact-check, analyze and explain the science portrayed in Breaking Bad, starting with the opening credits for the pilot program and closing by scrutinizing the last moments of the final episode. Reminding us how useful chemistry truly is, Mr. Trumbore and Dr. Nelson discuss everything from the expediency of using hydrofluoric acid to dissolve bodies, the chemistry underlying Walter’s thermite lock pick, and the chemical purification of ricin, to Walter’s DIY battery making, Hector Salamanca’s wheelchair bomb, Hank’s exploding bottles of home-brewed beer and, of course, the chemical manufacture of methamphetamines.

Some of the more harmless chemistry in the series is explained in detail, including chemical reactions and equations, which some fans may find daunting to read. (If you skip these, it will not diminish your understanding or enjoyment of what is described in the book.) But this book, like the series itself, does not provide explicit instructions either for how to cook crystal meth or for how to manufacture explosives — you’ll have to look elsewhere for that information.

Although this was not their main focus, Mr. Trumbore and Dr. Nelson also provide some details about the biology, medicine, psychology and physics of insecticides, psychiatry, addiction, cancer, toxicology and electromagnetism, as well as a discussion of the on-screen portrayals of Walter’s cancer, Jesse’s PTSD and Walter Junior’s cerebral palsy.

The formatting of this book was quite peculiar: co-author Dr. Nelson began each chapter with personal vignettes and anecdotes describing what it was like to work with this series’ creator and writers. These pieces provided a lot of delightful behind-the-scenes insights but were printed in a smaller font from the rest of the book, which made them difficult to read. Although these vignettes were engaging, I was surprised that Dr. Nelson was so clearly seduced by the magic of Hollywood and was, perhaps, a bit too effusive about the production team’s dedication to science, some of which she admits was a bit dodgy.

The remainder of each chapter is divided between a section entitled “101” that provides a breezy overview of some of the chemistry portrayed in particular episodes of Breaking Bad, followed by an “Advanced” section that offers a more intensive treatment of the same topic. I particularly enjoyed the chapter entitled “Trouble Brewing”, which dealt with DEA-agent Hank’s exploding bottles of home-brewed Schraderbräu beer that sounded ominously like gunshots, which probably was intended as foreshadowing, and chemist Gale Boetticher’s gloriously overcomplicated coffee brewing and delivery apparatus, an amusing and impressive Rube Goldberg glassware set-up that was likely intended to demonstrate that Gale was an extremely cultured and detail-oriented chemistry geek. As was true for his painstaking attempt to figure out the precise function for each piece in Gale’s coffee brewing contraption, Mr. Trumbore was generally careful to point out where the demands of good filming or storytelling outweighed scientific accuracy.

Weird formatting notwithstanding, this is an engaging book. Fans of Breaking Bad will especially enjoy reading this entertaining and informative book, as will students of chemistry — and even those who teach chemistry — because the book (and the series) makes this valuable scientific discipline so fun and accessible to the public.


NOTE: Originally published at Forbes on 14 September 2019.

[Firsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the book is informing AND entertaining, it's probably the holy grail of books I'm interested in. It made me want to rewatch the show, possibly in 4K if it exists. Mind you that the book is very spolierous so if you haven't watched it yet, you got no business reading or listening to this book. What I liked most is that it doesn't stay on one discipline for too long. It adequately covers all aspect of the show that you could stop and question naturally. Like why that meth is blue (the only major fictious representation of the substance). And that bathtub falling through floors. But it digs surprisingly deep into chemistry as well, starting with the periodic table. I've always hated that class, but I had a good teacher. If the curriculum was about Breakin Bad I might as well just loved it lol. Anyway, personally I've never considered Walt an anti-hero, and I fully understand why he did the things in the show :D I'm not from the US but this show and Euphoria made me realize how futile is the war on drugs, and not having tried any of them, I'd consider their legalization. If done properly, it could create new business venues that are legal and taxed and whatnot. The show has taught me a lot (like that conversation between Walt and Pinkman concerning what does the authority think when you suddenly have a lot of money - not that you are cooking drugs but you are not paying taxes xD). And this book only continued the education. As a non native speaker I never thought that "to break bad" is an expression used outside the show's title and I've always joked about it meaning baking bread in an alternative world. All in all, the book is very useful if you are a fan AND are also interested in the science of it (as the title suggests). But it goes far beyond the science, it's sort of a technical under the hood look, and also considers how Hank is dealing with PTSD, so the explanations have medical and psychological roots as well. It's very broad, and you are bound to find something truly interesting by listening. Speaking of which, it had dual narrators who were absolutely stellar! I've originally found the book by searching for works narrated by Tiffany Morgan, as her voice is amazing, and I was not disappointed. Tom Perkins bring a well-contrasting timbre. I'm not sure what a relisten would offer, but the stamp definitely shows 5-star!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking Bad remains the best-scripted, -filmed, and –acted show I’ve ever watched, and no matter how many times I watch a given episode, it never loses its compelling nature. Breaking Bad is unusual for most television in its heavy use of science, with a main character who prides himself on his chemical prowess and technical discipline as he transforms from chemistry professor to meth king over the course of two years. Although the show’s creators used extensive web research to begin the development of the character and show’s scientific creds, they received a shot in the arm when Donna Nelson, a chemistry professor with an interest in using Hollywood to increase scientific appreciation and literacy, volunteered to serve as an unpaid science advisor. She fielded questions from the writers, supplied equations for Walt to scrawl on his blackboard, and informed the show’s vocabulary. Now she and a co-author have created a review of some of the scientific content of Breaking Bad, encompassing meth, explosives, and the perfect cup of coffee. Written with passion, a whiff of dark humor, and a lot of reminders not to try this at home, The Science of Breaking Bad is a welcome review of the show from a unique perspective, though not one aspiring meth cooks or those who haven’t seen the show should read. (There are no recipes, but there are spoilers a plenty.)

Breaking Bad, for the uninitiated, is a crime and character drama about a chemistry professor named Walter White whose cancer diagnosis threatens to destroy his family financially, unless he can make some quick cash on the side by using his chemical genius to produce meth. But once you start down the meth path, forever will it dominate your destiny, Walt’s secret desire for reputation and his immense pride in what he’s capable of transform him into a lab-coated Moriarty. Nelson’s evaluation of the show covers pretty much everything: Walt’s chemistry lectures when he’s still a high school teacher; how the explosives and poisons worked that he used to disable (or kill, once he’d become the mask) his enemies; how meth works on the body and the various ways it’s produced, several of which Walt used in the show. (The filming of the meth process frequently mixed up methods, which was done to frustrate those who were trying to take notes on how to become dealers themselves.) Nelson also departs from chemistry to discuss the psychological trauma that several characters go through (Hank and Jesse, primarily), and throws in one cybercrime reference. Nelson includes a fair view production details beyond the science, too.

Fans of Breaking Bad who also have a strong interest in science will find this one a fun read; although chemistry is one of the harder scientific area for me to embrace, Murphy should be praised for using a popular show like this to try and teach a little more of it.

[Elena Ya · Rating 3 out of 5]

must read для любого фаната Breaking bad.
Интересно, познавательно, но, слишком много науки, на мой вкус.
Может потому, что я слушала аудио версию, вся эта химия и физика казалась избыточной информацией, в общем, пропускала мимо ушей.
А вот часть, расказанная Donna Nelson вообще раздражала - какое-то сплошное самовосхваление и описание своих заслуг в сериале. А уж последний комментарий по поводу голубого мефа - "это был единственный раз, когда Винс Гиллиган меня не послушал" (очень вольный перевод) - просто ААААА...

[Budd Margolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has high and pedestrian level explanations for the science and physics behind Breaking Bad. At times it is dense but also highly illuminating on one of TV's most popular, even cult, TV series. The book makes reference to some great articles and the Myth Busters TV series as well. There is even a foray into biology and psychology of the BB series characters.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but still requires basic knowledge of chemistry to understand

[thisisnttierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense and read like a textbook, but if you can get past the nitty gritty chemical reactions, it’s an interesting backstory on the show and its inception.

[Sophie Mirgaux de Pina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh how I love this series. It was great to get a little more insight into the science, but I did get reminded of why I didn't decide to pursue a career in chemistry ;).

[Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heisenberg 😫 all seriousness though, this is great book to pick up literally whenever you want, fun and interesting read.

[Vasudev Gowda · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow is really small word for this book.

[Thalarctos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and well written book. It's easy to slide right through the really complex chemistry if your brain boggles at it, and still learn quite a bit about the science.