Periodic Tales: A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc

In the spirit of A Short History of Nearly Everything comes Periodic Tales. Award-winning science writer Hugh Andersey-Williams offers readers a captivating look at the elements—and the amazing, little-known stories behind their discoveries.

"If only chemistry had been like this at school...a rich compilation of delicious tales.” -Matt Ridley, Prospect Magazine

Like the alphabet, the calendar, or the zodiac, the periodic table of the chemical elements has a permanent place in our imagination....