Photo de l'auteur
25+ oeuvres 1,540 utilisateurs 25 critiques 2 Favoris

A propos de l'auteur

John Emsley is Science Writer in Residence at the University of Cambridge. Author of the highly popular "Molecule of the Month" column for The Independent and of the book Molecules in an Exhibit, he has received both a Glaxo Award for science writing and the Chemical Industries Association's afficher plus President's Award for science communication. He lives in London afficher moins

Comprend les noms: John Emsley, Dr. John Emsley

Crédit image: Photo by John Holman

Œuvres de John Emsley

The Elements (1989) 71 exemplaires
More molecules of murder (2017) 5 exemplaires

Oeuvres associées

Étiqueté

Partage des connaissances

Date de naissance
1938
Sexe
male
Nationalité
UK
Lieux de résidence
London, England, UK
Professions
science writer
Organisations
University of Cambridge (King's College)
Prix et distinctions
Rhône-Poulenc prize (1995)
GDCh Literaturpreis (2003)

Membres

Critiques

I never thought anything on the periodical table could be so much fun. apologies for sister maria kellner, my chemistry teacher, for not taking her word for it years ago
 
Signalé
cspiwak | 7 autres critiques | Mar 6, 2024 |
Really 3 1/2, I think, but I'm feeling generous. Everything you ever wanted to know about phosphorus. Possibly a great deal of information you didn't particularly need about phosphorus. Lots of it is interesting (I particularly enjoyed the history of phosphorus-match-making--who knew?) but some of it isn't. My big problem with this book is that there isn't a narrative flow--the chapters feel isolated, so you don't really feel inclined to keep reading.
 
Signalé
GaylaBassham | 7 autres critiques | May 27, 2018 |
Really 3 1/2, I think, but I'm feeling generous. Everything you ever wanted to know about phosphorus. Possibly a great deal of information you didn't particularly need about phosphorus. Lots of it is interesting (I particularly enjoyed the history of phosphorus-match-making--who knew?) but some of it isn't. My big problem with this book is that there isn't a narrative flow--the chapters feel isolated, so you don't really feel inclined to keep reading.
 
Signalé
gayla.bassham | 7 autres critiques | Nov 7, 2016 |
Phosphorus was the 13th Element to be discovered although it is the 15th element in the Periodic Table and is one of the building blocks of life as well as a deadly poison. Elemental phosphorus was most probably first seen by an alchemist named Hennig Brandt in Hamburg around 1669 deriving it from urine. And so began the history of one of the most dangerous elements from which men learned to make Lucifers (matches), incendiary bombs (used extensively in WWII), nerve gases, and pesticides.

I found this book to be interesting and an easy read although some will find that the chemical formulas and long names for various compounds may be a minor stumbling block. Not only is there a lot of science but a lot of history in these three hundred pages covering over 300 years. I particularly liked learning about matchmaking and the health problems it caused in the workers until a safer method of making them was adapted.

Recommended for those who enjoy reading about the history of science and technology.
… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
hailelib | 7 autres critiques | Jan 22, 2014 |

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Statistiques

Œuvres
25
Aussi par
1
Membres
1,540
Popularité
#16,722
Évaluation
3.8
Critiques
25
ISBN
85
Langues
9
Favoris
2

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