Periodic Tales: A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc by Hugh Aldersey-Williams (2012-02-28)

"Periodic Tales" is a genial ramble through the periodic table stopping at different elements for brief discussions of the chemistry, history and cultural significance of each one. Like the author's name, the overall approach is very British - erudite and discursive. The book is at its best when describing the physical properties of the elements and their history. The discussions of cultural significance are more mixed -- the story of how aluminum was once considered a precious metal to rival gold and silver but has since become "banalized" to a commonplace industrial material is fascinating. On the other hand, the discussion of calcium wanders in to a discussion of Barbara Hepworth's sculpture apparently for no other reason that she works in marble. I did enjoy the descriptions of the author's attempts to replicate the original extraction of several elements, particularly phosphorous in which he follows the directions of Robert Hooke that begin "Take a Quantity of Urine not less than 50 or 60 pails full..."Overall, the book is both well-written and informative if it does wander into irrelevant cul-de-sacs at times. I have two quibbles with the paperback edition. First of all, a periodic table should have been included somewhere - it is the topic of the book and often referenced so it is a bit incomprehensible that a copy was nowhere to be found. Secondly, there are many uncaptioned photographs printed on the pulpy pages. All of the photographs are blurry -- many are completely unintelligible. They should either be eliminated from any future edition or printed on better paper.

PERIODIC TALES: Hugh Aldersey-Wiliams (Non-Fiction - Science - Chemistry - review 0883 - 08 September 2020)edition reviewed: Penguin trade paperback - 978-0-141-04145-2 Periodic Tales is a curiously interesting book about chemicals: there discoveries; uses and how they inspired the arts. It's a lot to cover even in 429 pages and very few times the author ruminations are somewhat tiresome but never uninteresting. This is not a book about the science of chemistry but more an intelligent man's sharing his love of how we live with elements, mostly unknowingly, in our daily life. I would recommend this book to adults who are curious about different atoms that make us and our world. Students may also enjoy learning about chemicals and the role they play in our culture and history. I have one complaint concerning this book. There are 66 very interesting photographs throughout the text but no captions! You have to thumb back to the beginning to find out details concerning photograph - annoying and unnecessary. A useful index, notes and bibliography are included.