The Elements

Starred review from April 16, 2012
Gray (Mad Science) blends science, art, and social commentary in this delightful and informative romp through the periodic table. Each element is photographed in as close to its natural state as possible (hydrogen being one of the most beautiful and creative representations: a stunning photograph of the starlight-laden Eagle Nebula), with a page or two devoted to the history of its use and discovery, along with any unusual atomic properties. A sidebar shows each element's place on the periodic table, atomic weight, density, atomic radius, crystal structure, electron filing order, atomic emission spectrum, and state of matter according to temperature. But what differentiates this from a textbook are the brilliant photos and Gray's lively commentary: e.g., "Yttrium is something of a hippy element," or "the continued use of tungsten in light bulbs is an abomination." In addition to the author's witty asides, fascinating bits of trivia abound: bananas are slightly radioactive; rare earth elements are not really rare; scientists have created fewer than two dozen atoms of meitnerium, an element created in a lab with a half-life of 43 minutes. While the book's size and its numerous gorgeous photographs might classify it as a coffee-table book, kids and adults alike (including those who dozed through basic chemistry) will be mesmerized and inspired to question the elemental basis of our world. 500+ color photos.

February 1, 2011
Gray, an element collector and Popular Science columnist, has created a visual homage to the periodic table of the elements. The book begins with an introduction to the arrangement of the periodic table. The first 100 of the elements are each profiled on a two-page spread. The left-hand side of the spread features a large color image of the element in its true form, when possible. The right-hand side includes various images of ways the element appears in the world and explanations of some of the compounds in which it can be found. For example, the Selenium entry includes images of selenium sulfide medicated shampoo, Brazil nuts (which are high in selenium), and a red vase that gets its color from a selenium glaze. Most of the images are items from the authors personal collection. A column running down the right-hand page offers information on the elements location in the periodic table and its atomic weight, density, atomic radius, and crystal structure in addition to charts portraying its electron order filling, atomic emission spectrum, and states of matter at various temperatures. Because of their instability and short half-life, or because they have not yet been discovered, elements 101 through 118 are presented in two groups of nine. The volume concludes with a brief bibliography and an index in addition to a foldout poster of the periodic table. This eye-catching book is certain to appeal to students and casual browsers alike.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)