The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe [Hardcover]

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"The periodic table is the universal catalogue of everything you can drop on your foot...The Earth, this book, your foot--everything tangible--is made up of elements. [An element is a substance whose nuclei contain a specific number of protons]...Elements have two faces: their pure state, and the range of chemical compounds they form when they combine with other elements...In this book I try to show both faces of every element...

I started collecting elements in 2002...Thanks in part to eBay...by 2009, I had assembled nearly 2300 objects representing every element...Element collecting isn't a big hobby...Compared to [other collecting hobbies], we element nuts are few and far between."

The above is found in the introduction and conclusion of this unique book by Theodore Gray. Gray is a science author, science magazine columnist, and the proprietor of periodic table dot com.

This book is based on seven years of research and photography.

How many people or even scientists can boast that they have actually seen all of the chemical elements in their pure form, not combined with other elements? This is what makes this book unique.

Most of the pages of this book are composed of a double-page spread of each of the elements.

On the left page of each double-page spread is a large photograph of the pure element (where physically possible) along with the element's chemical symbol and atomic number. (An element's atomic number is the number of protons found in the nucleus of every atom of that element.) You can see what I mean by looking at the cover of this book (displayed above by Amazon). Here there are seventeen pure elements displayed just as they appear in the book. (Actually the pictures in the book are much larger).

For example if you look at the top row of elements displayed on this book's cover, you'll come across an element every organism on Earth is familiar with, namely oxygen. It's chemical symbol, as shown, is O. It's atomic number is 8. (This information is commonly written as "oxygen (8))." What really stands out is the picture of oxygen which is pale blue.

You might be saying to yourself, "What's this guy talking about! The colour of the oxygen I breathe in has no colour." That's true for oxygen gas. But liquid oxygen ("LOX") is actually a beautiful pale blue.

On the right page of each double-page spread is "examples of the ways that element lives in the world--compounds and applications that are especially characteristic of it." As well, there is brief text describing interesting aspects of the element.

On the right page is also a column showing selected physical properties (such as atomic weight, density, and atomic emission spectrum) of the element. The explanation and definitions of these physical properties are explained at the beginning of the book. (In fact, there is much explanatory material at the book's beginning that should be carefully read so as to enjoy the rest of the book.)

Note that in this book the elements are presented in sequential atomic number order beginning with Hydrogen (1), Helium (2), Lithium (3), Beryllium (4), and so on. The double-spreads for each separate element end at the element with atomic number 100, named Fermium . A few elements that have many applications (such as Gold, Iron, and Copper) have a second double-page spread.

Elements Mendelevium (101) to Meitnerium (109) have one double-page spread devoted to them as do elements Darmstadtium (110) to Ununoctium (118). (Note that "Ununoctium" is a temporary placeholder name only. Also, this element is, at the time of writing of this book, the last one discovered.)

I almost missed this since there is no table of contents with this book. At the very back is a "picture" periodic table (that has no atomic weights). You can tear this out. In my case, I just didn't have the heart to tear it out of this beautiful book.

Finally, I wish the author had included for every element the element's date of discovery and country of discovery. (To be fair, he does mention these for a few elements.) I would also have liked to know the number of stable isotopes for each element. (An isotope of an element has the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons.)

In conclusion, this book is a rare combination of hard science and photographic artistry. Question: Who is this book for?? Answer: It is for every sentient creature in the universe. Personally, this book deepened my appreciation of the chemical substances that make up me and the world!!

(first published 2009; quotation and introduction; the periodic table as a whole; the major groups of the periodic table; how the periodic table got its shape; explanations and definitions of the physical properties presented for each element; elements with atomic numbers 1 to 100; elements with atomic numbers 101 to 109; elements with atomic numbers 110 to 118; conclusion: the joy of element collecting; main narrative 235 pages; bibliography; acknowledgements; index; periodic table tear-out poster)

<<Stephen Pletko, London, Ontario, Canada>>

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I purchased this as a gift for someone who has always had a fascination for the elements. This booked opened up a whole new world of understanding for him through stunning visuals, fascinating short descriptions, and fast-facts about the building blocks of the observable Universe.

The book draws you in with the great photographs of the elements and things made of them and educates you before you know it.