"Don't get me wrong... not a bad book. Just preferred the genetics one much more. For one, this book is DENSE. It's not just your basic chemistry, but pretty physics-based too. He even touches on quantum mechanics a couple times. I felt this book suffered from organization flaws. Yes, the book has a lot of amusing anecdotes and historical pieces that are pretty darn fascinating. But some of the content is difficult and when he asks you to recall stories from many chapters back, it can get rather hard to remember each story. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it were shorter or reorganized to be more coherent. "

"What great read! I'm usually disappointed by books in this genre for being too wishy-washy, vague, or just plain unfactual. I spent my university years studying science and chemistry, so I prefer books that go beyond the basics.

This book gets it just right; it's not a college chemistry text, nor is it a Periodic Table of the Elements for Dummies. The writing is wonderful, clear, and accessible to those without a science background. The vignette of each element is well researched and interesting. Even if you're not crazy about science, the history is fascinating.

If you're unsure about reading this book, try the audiobook. I read the ebook, and then borrowed to the audiobook from the library, I loved it that much!

If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:

� Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus"

Karine started reading Wijsheid

Inge Maes is currently reading Waar blijft de ziel?