The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements
Sam Kean
Aug 2010 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Sean Runnette
star
5 reviews
headphones
Audiobook
12 hr 35 min
Unabridged
family_home
Eligible
info
Want a free 1 hr 16 min sample? Listen anytime, even offline.
Add
About this audiobook
The periodic table is one of man's crowning scientific achievements. But 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 and 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.
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 and 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.
The periodic table is one of man's crowning scientific achievements. But 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 ...
Discover more
Ratings and reviews
5 reviews
Brad Trent
- Flag inappropriate
July 6, 2025
Fascinating tales blended from the scientific worlds of Chemistry & Physics and Historical facts. The book is well laid out by describing the table's structure & captivating tales of each element in the Periodic Table, 1st element to the last at the time of publishing. The book explains why and how additional elements are likely to be discovered & the challenges that need to be overcome to make this a reality. Indeed, since the first publishing of this work, more elements have been discovered.
Alex Zinchenko
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
August 19, 2024
Whish I heard this as a teenager instead a bunch of pentecostal insanity. This was awesome thanks!!
sweedee3
- Flag inappropriate
November 19, 2023
It makes me want to hear more. .. and I hope this isn't like the movies. The preview is the best part.
About the author
Sam Kean is a writer in Washington, D.C. His work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Mental Floss, Slate, the Believer, Science, and the New Scientist.
Sean Runnette, a multiple AudioFile Earphones Award winner, has also produced several Audie Award-winning audiobooks. His film and television appearances include Two If by Sea, Copland, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Third Watch, and lots and lots of commercials.
Sam Kean is a writer in Washington, D.C. His work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Mental Floss, Slate, the Believer, Science, and the New Scientist.
Sean Runnette, a multiple AudioFile Earphones Award winner, has also produced several Audie Award-winning audiobooks. His film and tele...
Rate this audiobook
Tell us what you think.
Listening information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
