The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray

There's a book we recently added to the collection that I'm just crazy about.  What's it about?  EVERYTHING.  Really!

The elements are the raw ingredients that everything in the universe is made from.  Theodore Gray decided to start collecting samples of all them a little over 10 years ago.  The result is the stunningly beautiful and fascinating The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Know Atom in the Universe.

Each element is given its own two-page spread and, where possible, a photograph of the element is included.  There are also examples of ways in which each element is utilized (you might not have heard of Bismuth, but what about Pepto Bismol?  Bismuth is one of its key elements!).  Just browsing the photographs makes for fascinating reading.

But the book also contains an in-depth explanation of the Periodic Table.  If you don't know your Noble Gasses from your Ordinary Metals, this book can help you sort them out - it's a great introduction to the fundamentals of chemistry and the wonders of the sub-atomic world.


In short, The Elements is both visually gorgeous and informative.  Whether you read it cover-to-cover, or just browse around, this book's a winner!

 Find it under 546J/GRA.