The Disappearing Spoon

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

By: Sam Kean

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

“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

Learned a lot!?

Really enjoyed this book. Though, some of it I didn't understand. There was still plenty of interesting stuff for a non physicist like me, though. :-)

Fun and Educational

Thoroughly enjoyed this narrated version while driving. Some heartbreaking facts are offset but never undercut by a good dose of humor at all appropriate places.

Science Nerd

This title isn’t for everyone but if you love science this is an entertaining way to learn all about the Periodic Table and the history of how the elements were discovered!!

Not exactly a book, but many great stories

This book ebbs and flows, with some fascinating and expertly told stories punctuated by dreary episodes of over simplified science. Overall a worthwhile read, but requires some skimming.

Challenging but Satisfying

Captivating history even though difficult to absorb it all if not a scientist. Yet I came away with a renewed respect for those bench scientists who spend their lives deciphering elements that have been the basis for innumerable discoveries across many fields. The author makes what could be dull come alive and sprinkled with irony and humor. Would be a great read for chemistry and physics students.
The human side of science makes it all more interesting and relatable.

Wow - and i thought i didn't like chemistry...

this is an amazingly engaging and informative look at the elements, and so many fields of science that involve them. i never liked chemistry, despite my first introduction from an excellent teacher, with whom i also studied physics... but i was still riveted all the way through every part of this book. if you have any interest at all in the world around you, I'd wager there's an excellent chance you'd really enjoy this book. There's context, perspective, personality - really well written. Thanks!

An excellent and informative book<br />

I've read and listened to this book over and over again, and it never fails to amaze me.

I want to be a chemist now

Wonderful anecdotes about the discovery of each element. This book got me really interested in the history of science.

Excellent book; a wonderful tour of science

As a chemist who has loved the periodic table since high school, I thought I knew all of the element discovery stories. However, Kean tells plenty of new tales that I've never heard, and when he re-tells one that I know it is so lively that I listen fascinated. Think Bill Bryson. I also love how he handles the science. Unlike many so-called science writers, he doesn't shy away from the details, but presents them in a lively and clear manner. Quantum chemistry for everyone--a neat trick. And Kean is right--the development of the periodic table ( and his forays into a few interesting side topics) is, in his hands, a story of the past 200 years of human civilization--good, bad and strange. Bravo.

Great book

So I really like this book. It was great book to listen to while you do something like drawing. I learned a lot but I wish it was updated to 2018 development in physics and chemistry