The Secret Lives of the Elements

by Kathryn Harkup

' The perfect book to escape our human-sized existence and take a tour of the atomic world instead.' Helen Arney, science comedian and broadcaster When we think of the periodic table we picture orderly rows of elements that conform to type and never break the rules. In this book Kathryn Harkup reveals that there are personalities, passions, quirks and historical oddities behind those ordered rows, and shows us that the periodic table is a sprawling family tree with its own black sheep, wayward cousins and odd uncles. The elements in the periodic table, like us, are an extended family - some old, some newborn, some shy and reticent, some exuberant or unreliable. Dr Harkup tells the weird and wonderful stories of just fifty two members of this family - remarkable tales of discovery, inspiration and revolution, from the everyday to the extraordinary. Some elements are relatively anonymous; others, already familiar, are seen in a new light; and old friends have surprising secrets to share. From our green-fingered friend magnesium to the devil incarnate polonium, this eclectic collection of engaging and informative stories will change the way you see the periodic table for ever.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Chemistry

224 pages, Hardcover

Published March 22, 2022

About the author

Kathryn Harkup is a chemist and author. Kathryn completed a PhD then a postdoc at the University of York before realising that talking, writing and demonstrating science appealed far more than spending hours slaving over a hot fume-hood. Kathryn went on to run outreach in engineering, computing, physics and maths at the University of Surrey, which involved writing talks on science and engineering topics that would appeal to bored teenagers, and she is now a science communicator delivering talks and workshops on the quirky side of science.

Reviews

[AlenGarou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Chi sono io per dire di no a un libro del genere?
E infatti l’ho comprato appena l’ho visto… anche se non dovevo perché non ho più posto e le pile traballanti di libri prima o poi mi uccideranno con il loro dolce peso.
Ma non si dice mai di no alla scienza!
A meno che non facciate parte di una lunga lista di culti, ideologie e organizzazioni che di scienza non ne vogliono sapere nulla… ma quello è un vostro problema.
Insomma, se siete persone con pochi neuroni ma una mente curiosa come la sottoscritta, questo saggio è fatto apposta per voi. La divulgazione scientifica che tiene conto di un ampio spettro della popolazione è ben accetta, soprattutto quando offrono un’ampia collezione di aneddoti e curiosità che aiutano a comprendere meglio il mondo che ci circonda.
Per contro, non lo consiglierei a chi ha già un’ampia conoscenza nel settore della chimica, dato che le info presentate sono piuttosto basilari.
A dire il vero avrei preferito che ci fossero molto più aneddoti, ma parlare di 52 elementi in un unico libro è già una sfida di per sé.
L’edizione è molto curata e ogni elementi viene schematizzato a dovere, con le info base sintetizzate in piccole illustrazioni e tre pagine di narrazione dove si spiegheranno non solo le sue origini, ma anche le scoperte e l’uso pratico.
Aggiungo anche che ho apprezzato i soprannomi dati ai vari elementi, giusto per un tocco ironico.
In più può essere utile anche come ripasso, dato che nell’introduzione viene presentata l’intera tavola periodica con tanto di mini analisi delle varie categorie.
Se amate la scienza e volete una leggera lettura di chimica, questa nuova uscita è l’ideale.

[Piers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has such a strange tone. I can't work out who it's actually aimed at. Certainly not me, so that's one person ruled out.

It's a very odd mix of stories about various chemical elements, their discovery, uses, occasionally the people or places they're named after. That isn't the odd part. It's the way they're told. There's this thematic thread of ascribing human traits and emotions to atoms. It feels like a children's book, but shifts gears into really technical language and back to this fairytale-like motif rather clunkily. Is it for people who don't find science interesting, but would for some unknown reason buy a book about chemistry? Or is it for people who like science, but want to feel like they've taken some strong painkillers before picking up the book?

I think it's supposed to be cute, or arty, or poetic or something, but it just came across as weird to me, and an excuse not to go into any kind of depth about anything.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun and frustrating at the same time. The author does an excellent job of making the elements very understandable with light and breezy stories about each of them. The frustration came in that I was left wanting more at the end of each section. Excellent way for someone who is science challenged like myself to slowly broaden my knowledge.

Fun facts:
- Helium is the wallflower of the periodic table.
- 7Up used to have lithium in it
- Leaves turn yellow, red, and orange once magnesium is taken away
- Potassium is extremely stubborn and likes a quiet life
- The CIA considered a plan to assassinate Castro by adding thallium salts to his shoes.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much as the title suggests, a book about a bunch of the elements and what makes them special. Hydrogen is the misfit, helium the loner, etc. Each chapter is just a couple brief pages about the given element, some facts and historical stuff. This was good, interesting. I would have liked if some of the chapters were longer, but also it was a nice book to pick up and read a bit here or there without having to commit to a huge chapter. I read an advance copy, which did not include the entire book, and I would be interested in reading more. 4 stars.

[Michel Meijer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book for chemists. Every chapter, an element is described as being it a persona in a play. However, after 20 elements you realize that there are many to follow and the book gets repetitive. Some knowledge of teh Periodic Table of Elements helps for sure to better place the differences and commonalities together. I would have preferred stories per group of elements or families (platinum group for example). That would link them together in history and have the stories stuck better. The content itself is often original and interesting. 3 stars.

[Calzean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quirky little book that looks at most of the elements in the periodic table. Each element is described in four pages with a little ditty of how it was found, what's it is used for, etc. A coffee table book I think.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hahah! I'm not big into chemistry but this book is super fun, entertaining yet still informative!

It's bringing out the history and characteristics of each element in amusing way. There are lots of chemistry related inside jokes as well. Great for a trivia night!

[Bakertyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, well researched, everything a non-fiction book should be. A certain type of nerd will love this book, like I did.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, short romp through the periodic table.

[Jeffrey Romine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a book of anecdotes and some history with no real chemistry. I found it pleasant to read.

[Kirstin Morton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting tidbits, but seems likes it’s written for children.

[Jacob Brandenburg]

I loved this book because it told facts about how the elements were made and what they help society with. It also makes a timeline of events more clear.

[Irene Pedergnana · Rating 4 out of 5]

È il classico libro dei periodi in cui si fatica a leggere, non serve seguire capitolo per capitolo in maniera lineare, si puó saltare qui e là, tornare indietro, andare avanti, insomma è il libro che riempie i momenti di attesa. No more phone and Instagram quando si aspetta o si viaggia in bus, yes books and (in this case) chemistry.