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

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

Interesting Vignettes of Science

Kean clearly has a passion for the subject and presents history, chemistry, physics, and even philosophy in a wonderful and entertaining manner. He is able to weave the periodic table's history and the stories of the men and women who dedicated themselves to its mysteries well. What keeps this from being a five star book are the frequent foot notes. It was hard to keep track personally of when certain foot notes ended. If you are not bothered by such things, and want some fascinating science history, then this is the book to listen to.

Interesting listen, easy to pick back up later

I was worried about the anecdotes that some reviewers disliked. However, I appreciated the anecdotes which I felt made the book more enjoyable than simply a history book or textbook.

If there was anything that I disliked, it was that the narrator sounds like he has dentures. I would notice this more when wearing headphones than my phone speaker but it was still distracting at times.

Funny Chemistry Primer

Interesting facts and history about the periodic table and all it’s elements. Enjoyable narrator as well.

Elementary my dear friend.

Lots of stories about those who found the elements. Worth a listen by science lovers.

Very Geeky

As a science minded person I understood most of what the book contained. However, I have to admit that once he passed the more common elements like copper, sodium, potassium, zinc, etc. and started on francium, I was hopelessly lost.

That said, I now have a compendium of elemental trivia that might come in handy at a cocktail party.

Wonder filled

This book was a wonder of detail about things we all need to think about. The relationships between elements and discoverers was amazingly interesting.

Interesting listen

A fun way to learn about the elements. All the side stories keep it interesting.

Chock full of periodic table lore!

I loved this book and look forward to listening to more books by this author.