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Peters Wothers

Antimony, Gold, and Jupiter's Wolf: How the elements were named Illustrated Edition

by Peter Wothers (Author)

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The iconic Periodic Table of the Elements is now in its most satisfyingly elegant form. This is because all the 'gaps' corresponding to missing elements in the seventh row, or period, have recently been filled and the elements named. But where do these names come from? For some, usually the most recent, the origins are quite obvious, but in others - even well-known elements such as oxygen or nitrogen - the roots are less clear.

Here, Peter Wothers explores the fascinating and often surprising stories behind how the chemical elements received their names. Delving back in time to explore the history and gradual development of chemistry, he sifts through medieval manuscripts for clues to the stories surrounding the discovery of the elements, showing how they were first encountered or created, and how they were used in everyday lives. As he reveals, the oldest-known elements were often associated with astronomical bodies, and connections with the heavens influenced the naming of a number of elements. Following this, a number of elements, including hydrogen and oxygen, were named during the great reform of chemistry, set amidst the French Revolution. While some of the origins of the names were controversial (and, indeed incorrect - some saying, for instance, that oxygen might be literally taken to mean 'the son of a vinegar merchant'), they have nonetheless influenced language used around the world to this very
day. Throughout, Wothers delights in dusting off the original sources, and bringing to light the astonishing, the unusual, and the downright weird origins behind the names of the elements so familiar to us today.

ISBN-10

0199652724
ISBN-13

978-0199652723
Edition

Illustrated
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

February 1, 2020
Language

English
Dimensions

9.3 x 1.3 x 6 inches
Print length

304 pages
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thorough and well-researched exploration of how the elements were named ... Readers even casually interested in the history of chemistry would do well to pick up this energetic survey." -- Publishers Weekly

"[An] enchanting, eccentric book ... wickedly entertaining." -- Simon Ings, The Spectator

"Such a book could only have been written by an academic deeply learned and passionate about chemistry ... it is also the kind of book whose title might pique someone's interest in a bookshop and inspire a lifelong passion for chemistry and its history ... it seems worth celebrating that some academics are still producing books so curious, wide-ranging and enthusiastic." -- Matthew Reisz, The Times Higher Education Supplement

"[An] erudite, complex, but always enjoyably unbuttoned account of how the elements acquired their names. A charming way to convey the history of this science." -- New Scientist

"It is immediately clear that a phenomenal amount of research has gone into [the book]. The author's own passion for chemistry's history is evident, through references to a huge variety of (al)chemical texts... The book is well paced and clearly organised, and definitely accessible to chemists and non-chemists alike... The rich tapestry of overlapping and interconnected stories means that any reader will come away with renewed appreciation of the art and artifice of our chemistry." -- Philip Broadwith, Chemistry World

"Antimony, Gold, and Jupiter's Wolf unfolds as a series of more-or-less separate and chronological stories ... this makes it easy for a reader to easily dip in at any point ... lively volume." -- Nicola Pohl, Science

"Wothers takes us through these mysterious chemical treatments and discoveries with the ease of a practiced writer. The amount of information he reveals is astounding and also often entertaining." -- Gerrard Russell, Magonia Review

"Wothers' book is an enjoyable read for anyone interested in chemistry's history - and especially for anyone with an interest in why we chemists use the words we do." -- Brett F. Thornton, Nature Reviews Chemistry

"Peter Wothers combines history of science, the study of the origin of the names of the elements and general chemical revelations in his elemental tour, which proved delightful." -- Brian Clegg, Popular Science blog

"A timely study of the chemical elements ... Wothers has included a great deal of material in his book, and any chemist interested in the history of his subject will enjoy it. Some will wish to read it from cover to cover, while others will dip into it for information on particular elements." -- John Hudson, RSC Historical Group Newsletter

"This erudite yet accessible and entertaining account describes the challenges, confusions, illuminations, and jealousies involved in the naming of the underlying fabric of the everyday world. Anyone who enjoys the practice of science will be enriched by what they will read here." -- Peter Atkins, University of Oxford

"Everything is here: from making phosphorus out of faeces all the way to superheavy elements, illuminated by a delightful combination of chemical insight and historical knowledge." -- Martyn Poliakoff

About the Author

Dr Peter Wothers is a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, and a Fellow and Director of Studies in Chemistry at St Catharine's College. He is heavily involved in promoting chemistry to young students and members of the public, and, in 2010, created the popular Cambridge Chemistry Challenge competition for students in the UK. Peter is known nationally and internationally for his demonstration lectures and presented the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, titled The Modern Alchemist, in 2012. He has also authored a number of popular textbooks, including Why Chemical Reactions Happen and Chemical Structure and Reactivity, with colleague James Keeler. In 2014, he was awarded an M.B.E. for Services to Chemistry in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; Illustrated edition (February 1, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199652724
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199652723
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.3 x 1.3 x 6 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,115,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #137 in Inorganic Chemistry (Books)
- #1,553 in General Chemistry
- #4,931 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)

Customer Reviews:
52 ratings

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4.4 out of 5

52 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Jay

An elementary texts on elements, fun and quick

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 8, 2022

Verified Purchase

This is an excellent work which delves into naming, chemical history, and the history of chemistry itself. Some sections seem to meander a little which drags on, but as a whole the book is a page turner. With a gorgeous front cover and beautiful drawings which were typeset by the authors wife, this is an excellent coffee table book.

Helpful

ACAT

Entertaining and Educational

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 10, 2020

Verified Purchase

I found this book both entertaining and educational as regards the history and the evolution of the periodic table and the discovery of its elements. As a practicing Phd in Physical Chemistry (Solid State Chemistry) for over 50 years I'm well versed in the quantum mechanics that underlies the organization of the Periodic Table, but the history of the elements and evolution of the table was unclear until I read this book. At first I thought I might be bored, but the storytelling of the discovery of the elements was captivating at times. I got hooked. The book tells the discovery of the elements in a fairly linear fashion starting with the basis of naming that began with Astrology, something I never knew until learning it here. At times I wanted to shout no, no to offer the benefit of hindsight as discoverers made wrong turns. There are many anecdotes throughout the book regarding discoveries that would made great cocktail party chatter with the right people, or maybe get you thrown out!

5 people found this helpful

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Norma Snapp

Gift for Nerds

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 9, 2021

Verified Purchase

Every year I buy my son-in-law a nerd book...he is an MIT grad and a math and physics guy. This fit the bill as one of the most interesting and entertaining books. The other one he liked was The Disappearing Spoon.

3 people found this helpful

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bryan hoover

AAA++

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 14, 2020

A+

Accurate information about the elements

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

I absolutely love this book! It is very informative and we'll written. This book will now be on my suggested reading list for my IB Chemistry classes.

One person found this helpful

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Kevin Cleary

Fascinating!!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

A very well-researched and easy to read book. Highly recommended, and full of great and valuable insights and fun anecdotes.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

OldDIYer

A lively history of chemistry

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 7, 2021

Verified Purchase

This is a spendid book; not just the naming of the elements but the discoveries and uses (and medical mis-uses!). Very informative and never dull.

2 people found this helpful

adam loveday

If you don't know what Jupiter's Wolf is...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

For the lovers of Chemistry and history, a fascinating work illuminating the winding path human knowledge has taken on its journey to understand the elements.
This is easily approachable and well written which belies the huge amount of historical research that Dr Wothers has done to present this story as fully as possible.
And if you don't know what Jupiter's Wolf is give this book a read.

One person found this helpful

ArcG

Interesting but long-winded.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

If you weed out the pertinent info this is an interesting book, but it does pad out with a lot of (in my opinion) unnecessary quotations and it does have a tendency to repeat previous info.

Michael Bamber

interesting, but...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 5, 2020

Verified Purchase

..the author did not respond to an easily verifiable error I noted. All an author needs to do is a three line reply.

Amazon Customer

Ideal for Chemistry enthusiasts!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 9, 2020

Verified Purchase

Wonderful history of how the elements got their names