Customer Reviews

The Crumbs of Creation: Trace elements in history, medicine, industry, crime and folklore

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This readable little volume is based on the lecture notes for a university level "chemistry appreciation" course given by the author, a chemsitry professor. Filled with anecdotes about the importance of minor elements in history, crime detection, and all sorts of other areas of life, it is easy to read from cover to cover or to pick up and delve into chapters at random. This work is a rare bird in the general science literature: although fully enjoyable for its intended audience of the non-scientist with a healthy interest in the workings of the world, it is sophisticated enough, with enough detail and professional citations, that it is a delight to chemical professionals as well. The fans who have enjoyed my own well-travelled copy include a retired chemist, an English as a second language teacher, a precocious middle school student, a linguist, a full-time homemaker, and a chemical engineering professor.