The Disappearing Spoon

Hey, everybody, how would you like to read a book about the periodic table? Whatja think? The elements? You know, sodium and hydrogen? All that? Who is in?

Okay, you don't have to react like that. Please. No more boos and no more hissing. I know, I know, it sounds like a snoozer, but, trust me on this, this could be the best book you read all year.

Sam Kean tells stories about all of the elements in the periodic table, and, believe it or not, these tales are tales of passion and murder and betrayal and adventure and scheming...everything you want in a story, and they all center around the elements.

I loved this book, and that's fabulous, but the odd thing is that I, for the first time in my life, I feel like I have a good understanding of basic chemistry and physics.