The phenomenal ''Sunday Times'' bestseller ''Periodic
Tales'' by Hugh Andersey-Williams, packed with
fascinating stories and unexpected information about the
building blocks of our universe. Everything in the
universe is made of them, including you. Like you, the
elements have personalities, attitudes, talents,
shortcomings, stories rich with meaning. Here you'll
meet iron that rains from the heavens and noble gases
that light the way to vice. You'll learn how lead can
tell your future while zinc may one day line your
coffin. You'll discover what connects the bones in your
body with the Whitehouse in Washington, the glow of a
streetlamp with the salt on your dinner table. Unlocking
their astonishing secrets and colourful pasts,
''Periodic Tales'' is a voyage of wonder and discovery,
showing that their stories are our stories, and their
lives are inextricable from our own. ''Science writing
at its best. A fascinating and beautiful literary
anthology, bringing them to life as personalities. If
only chemistry had been like this at school. A rich
compilation of delicious tales''. (Matt Ridley,
''Prospect''). ''A love letter to the chemical
elements.Aldersey-Williams is full of good stories and
he knows how to tell them well''. (''Sunday
Telegraph''). ''Great fun to read and an endless fund of
unlikely and improbable anecdotes''. (''Financial
Times''). ''The history, science, art, literature and
everyday applications of all the elements from aluminium
to zinc''. (''The Times''). Hugh Aldersey-Williams
studied natural sciences at Cambridge. He is the author
of several books exploring science, design and
architecture and has curated exhibitions at the Victoria
and Albert Museum and the Wellcome Collection. He lives
in Norfolk with his wife and son. |
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