aeryeta's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly it's probably more of a 3.5/5 but I'm slightly biased
Weirdly enough I enjoyed the less sciencey bits, as I got slight PTSD from reading about nitrogen extraction from ammonia. Overall, it was a good balance of weird random stories about people combusting and scientific knowledge stuff.
Although at times it was a bit heavy on GCSE chemistry material, this wasn't too hard to battle through.
I liked it more whilst reading it than in hindsight, make of that what you will...
Weirdly enough I enjoyed the less sciencey bits, as I got slight PTSD from reading about nitrogen extraction from ammonia. Overall, it was a good balance of weird random stories about people combusting and scientific knowledge stuff.
Although at times it was a bit heavy on GCSE chemistry material, this wasn't too hard to battle through.
I liked it more whilst reading it than in hindsight, make of that what you will...
chemistry_goodness's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic read and covers not just atmospheric gases but a number of others. Kean's style is witty and engaging and aimed at the general public. Two thumbs up!
Oh, and if anyone is curious, flatulence is discussed. You're welcome.
Oh, and if anyone is curious, flatulence is discussed. You're welcome.
ashbandicoot90's review against another edition
4.0
Popular science writing 101 - interesting and accessible.
r_dougherty's review against another edition
4.0
A little dense at times, but overall I liked this a lot! I had previously read The Disappearing Spoon and I found that I liked this one a lot more. There are a few anecdotes in here that I just can’t stop telling people about!
settingshadow's review against another edition
5.0
I love Sam Kean and this pop science accounting of various atmospheric gases does not disappoint. Roughly arranged by contribution to Earth's atmosphere, the chapters bounce from hot air balloons to chemical warfare. Kean focuses on depth rather than breadth, making for memorable and engaging reading.
hylian_pirate's review against another edition
4.0
I came here with low expectations but this book exceeded them. I just love science books like this one. This book tells the stories of all the gasses in the air around us and how scientists discovered them. Each story is filled with drama and intrigue and the story-telling is top-notch.
My personal favorite is the story of how we managed to have, relatively, pain-free surgeries with the discovery of anesthetics. Before that, people occasionally killed themselves rather than suffer the horrors of surgery. On that day, a surgery in the eyes of an audience, people could actually hear the flesh being cut rather than the screams of the patient.
My personal favorite is the story of how we managed to have, relatively, pain-free surgeries with the discovery of anesthetics. Before that, people occasionally killed themselves rather than suffer the horrors of surgery. On that day, a surgery in the eyes of an audience, people could actually hear the flesh being cut rather than the screams of the patient.
mayarelmahdy's review against another edition
4.0
Yay, science!
I really like Sam Kean. He's the first science writer I've read. I love his books. This may be my least favorite one, though. It's still good, Just not the best.
I enjoy the poetic quality of this book. It's pretty romantic. I also feel so future-y reading about space colonization (let's take a moment to remember that imperialism sucks) and environmental engineering. I liked the puns and history stuff.
This book also has some WWII stuff. Can any book ever not get into the A-bomb? This is a challenge I'm planning to do; find a non-fiction that does not mention WWII at all in any of its facets.
I really like Sam Kean. He's the first science writer I've read. I love his books. This may be my least favorite one, though. It's still good, Just not the best.
I enjoy the poetic quality of this book. It's pretty romantic. I also feel so future-y reading about space colonization (let's take a moment to remember that imperialism sucks) and environmental engineering. I liked the puns and history stuff.
This book also has some WWII stuff. Can any book ever not get into the A-bomb? This is a challenge I'm planning to do; find a non-fiction that does not mention WWII at all in any of its facets.