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From Stars To Stalagmites: How Everything Connects

by Paul S Braterman (Author)

4.4 14 ratings

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Feynman once selected, as the single most important statement in science, that everything is made of atoms. It follows that the properties of everything depend on how these atoms are joined together, giving rise to the vast field we know of today as chemistry. In this unique book specifically written to bridge the gap between chemistry and the layman, Braterman has put together a series of linked essays on chemistry related themes that are particularly engaging.The book begins with the age of the earth, and concludes with the life cycle of stars. In between, there are atoms old and new, the ozone hole mystery and how it was solved, synthetic fertilisers and explosives, reading the climate record, the extraction of metals, the wetness of water, and how the greenhouse effect on climate really works. A chapter in praise of uncertainty leads on to the "fuzziness" and sharing of electrons, and from there to molecular shape, grass-green and blood-red, the wetness of water, and molecular recognition as the basis of life.Organised in such a way as to illustrate and develop underlying principles and approaches, this book will appeal to anyone interested in chemistry, as well as its history and key personalities. Where many other titles have failed, this book succeeds brilliantly in capturing the spirit and essence of chemistry and delivering the science in easily digestible terms.

ISBN-10

9814324973
ISBN-13

978-9814324977
Publisher

Wspc
Publication date

April 16, 2012
Language

English
Dimensions

6 x 0.74 x 9 inches
Print length

328 pages
See all details

Editorial Reviews

Review

... is extremely readable, even for those with limited scientific training An excellent resource for general readers with a wide interest in all aspects of natural science. -- CHOICE "CHOICE"

Each article is self-contained. They are well-researched showing how deeply the author has read into the background. Apart from being highly recommended for a wide adult readership, this would be an excellent book for teachers to give to students for enrichment, with the background to the chemistry going beyond the textbooks. -- Chemistry World "Chemistry World"

Getting to know of atoms and molecules and their motions was not easy - Braterman pulls us into the story of the people who got us that hard-won knowledge. A superb combination of history and scientific explanation! -- Roald Hoffmann "Nobel Laureate Chemist and Writer"

It's a terrific read and the idea of intertwining the facts of chemistry with the history and personalities of the scientists who discovered it works brilliantly. -- John Wiltshire "Systems Engineer, Nelson Gold Medallist for Creativity"

On reflection some of the chapters come across as excellent materials for presentations. The book is consistently interesting and clearly written. It is a valued addition to my bookshelf and a fine example of popular science writing. -- robertsaunders.org.uk "robertsaunders.org.uk"

This book covers a lot of material very quickly and in an easy to follow style that gives the science in the context of the history and the people involved. This book is a great way to bring everything together either as an introductory overview before tackling a topic in more detail or as an enjoyable whistle stop tour through human progress and knowledge. -- British Centre for Science Education Blog "British Centre for Science Education Blog"

This highly readable book does an excellent job of explaining scientific concepts in plain language, and brilliantly connects social history with scientific history and concepts. Strongly recommended for readers of all backgrounds. -- Oscar Liu "Senior Principal Scientist, Merck"

Your writings are a wonderful compilation of chemistry, history, and human endeavors. The chapter on Haber was superb! ...This text is something that every chemist should read! -- Prof Diana Mason "Regional Director and Associated Chemistry Teachers of Texas, University of North Texas"

Using an historical approach, From Stars to Stalagmites teaches about science in an engaging and fun manner that should appeal to interested lay readers and professionals alike. -- Richard Hirsh "Professor of History of Technology, Virginia Tech"

From the Back Cover

Feynman once selected, as the single most important statement in science, that everything is made of atoms. It follows that the properties of everything depend on how these atoms are joined together, giving rise to the vast field we know of today as chemistry. In this unique book specifically written to bridge the gap between chemistry and the layman, Braterman has put together a series of linked essays on chemistry related themes that are particularly engaging.

The book begins with the age of the earth, and concludes with the life cycle of stars. In between, there are atoms old and new, the ozone hole mystery and how it was solved, synthetic fertilisers and explosives, reading the climate record, the extraction of metals, the wetness of water, and how the greenhouse effect on climate really works. A chapter in praise of uncertainty leads on to the "fuzziness" and sharing of electrons, and from there to molecular shape, grass-green and blood-red, the wetness of water, and molecular recognition as the basis of life.

Organised in such a way as to illustrate and develop underlying principles and approaches, this book will appeal to anyone interested in chemistry, as well as its history and key personalities. Where many other titles have failed, this book succeeds brilliantly in capturing the spirit and essence of chemistry and delivering the science in easily digestible terms.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wspc (April 16, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9814324973
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9814324977
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.74 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,297,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,517 in Astronomy & Astrophysics
- #10,760 in Astronomy (Books)
- #20,383 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 14 ratings

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Paul S. Braterman
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About the author:
Paul Braterman was first attracted to chemistry by the pretty colours, then by the revelation that everything is made of chemicals, and went on to do research on subjects ranging from the origins of life to flame retardant plastics. His main interest now is in informing people about science and how scientists think.
He spent most of his career at Glasgow University and the University of North Texas, and now lives in Glasgow. He holds one undergraduate and two graduate degrees from Oxford, and has published over 120 scientific papers and book chapters. He is on the committee of the British Centre for Science Education ( http://www.bcseweb.org.uk/), and his past collaborations include NASA’s Astrobiology Institute, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Sandia/UNM Materials Research Laboratory.
Advance praise for from Stars to Stalgmites:
“Getting to know of atoms and molecules and their motions was not easy – Braterman pulls us into the story of the people who got us that hard-won knowledge. A superb combination of history and scientific explanation!” - Roald Hoffmann, Nobel Laureate chemist and writer
“This highly readable book does an excellent job of explaining scientific concepts in plain language, and brilliantly connects social history with scientific history and concepts. Strongly recommended for readers of all backgrounds.” – Oscar Liu, Senior Principal Scientist, Merck
“It’s a terrific read and the idea of intertwining the facts of chemistry with the history and personalities of the scientists who discovered it works brilliantly.” – John Wiltshire, systems engineer, Nelson Gold Medallist for creativity.
“Your writings are a wonderful compilation of chemistry, history, and human endeavors. The chapter on Haber was superb! … This text is something that every chemist should read!” – Prof Diana Mason, University of North Texas, Regional Director, Associated Chemistry Teachers of Texas.
Web site: www.paulbraterman.wordpress.com
This site will contain updates on the subjects discussed in the book, and other developments that the author considers of special interest.
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Paul S. Braterman
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

14 global ratings

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1 star

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Customers say

Customers find the book has a wealth of fascinating knowledge about history and how we know it. They also describe it as a very good read about important events.

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History Readability

5 customers mention "History"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the history fascinating, well researched, and excellent. They also say the book includes a glossary and an excellent index.

"...The book includes a glossary and an excellent index, but unfortunately has endnotes instead of footnotes, which is particularly frustrating when the..." Read more

"...I simply enjoyed the historical context, the stories one could share over dinner about scientists, their life, the context of their discoveries etc...." Read more

"A very interesting read for those who wish to know what makes up the world we live in...." Read more

"...A wealth of fascinating knowledge about what we know and how we know it, in an extremely well constructed, well elaborated, easy to understand..." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very good and well-elaborated. They also mention that it's a very good read about some of the most important events.

"...This book is a very good read about some of the most important events and ideas in the history of chemistry and scientific thought...." Read more

"...However well worth reading and one will be better informed having read it" Read more

"...we know and how we know it, in an extremely well constructed, well elaborated, easy to understand package.Highly recommended.Great job." Read more

"Well written and researched...." Read more

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Paul R. Bruggink

An interesting refresher course in chemistry with a bit of quantum mechanics

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2015

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Paul Braterman’s book starts out by discussing simple chemistry concepts through how they were developed historically. He gives enough personal information about the people involved to make his discussions of discovery and problem solving interesting. He describes the messy way in which science actually progresses, as opposed to the hypothetical “scientific method.”

This then leads to discussions of more complex chemistry-related issues, such as why grass is green and blood is red, how water gets its properties and how important they are, how the Periodic Table helps to understand how things are the way they are, how metals got isolated, how we learned about ozone depletion, and the causes of global warming, among other interesting chemistry-related issues.

The book includes a glossary and an excellent index, but unfortunately has endnotes instead of footnotes, which is particularly frustrating when the notes are a mixture of interesting comments and dull citations to obscure literature that I will never peruse. This means that I have to flip to the end of the book each time to see which type of endnote is being offered. If they were at the bottom of the page on which they occur, this would not be necessary.

Braterman’s book is somewhat like taking a refresher course in college chemistry with a serving of quantum mechanics. I recommend it to anyone interested in the many ways that chemistry matters to us.

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klutzy

A simply wonderful book- a short story style that makes you think.

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2012

Verified Purchase

I am a mechanical and materials engineer who considers her chemistry high school experience to have made her switch from a liberal arts degree to engineering. The professor took the periodic table and would relate stories of the origin of the elements. Over the course of the year, I found that I would skip many classes but never his. I felt the same way reading Paul Braterman's book. He draws out stories about the basis for what we are dealing with today but in todays environment of spin, here comes a refreshing style of informing through stories, connections and making the entire learning experience a wonderful journey. I have found both teens, adults without a scientific career and scientists can benefit from reading this book. Can I say that I am particularly happy that I could sift through and pick a chapter and topic and go back and forth with no loss of experience. I simply enjoyed the historical context, the stories one could share over dinner about scientists, their life, the context of their discoveries etc. This is a fireside read book that leaps off the coffee table often!

4 people found this helpful

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Mickey

A Great Pick for Anybody's Bookshelf

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2012

Verified Purchase

From Stars To Stalagmites is Paul Braterman's first non-technical book, and let us hope that it will not be his last. This book is a very good read about some of the most important events and ideas in the history of chemistry and scientific thought. The chapters are well put together, with sections that build upon the most important points that the author attempts to make. If the reader does have some issues about a few of the technical aspects, there is a glossary in the back, along with notes and references. Paul definitely has the ability to tell a story, and when writing about science, he is the rare type of writer that knows how to strategically incorporate humor. He is also not afraid to present his views on some of the more controversial subjects that we as a species face in the modern world. I highly recommend this book for anybody who is proficiently knowledgeable in science, and I also recommend it to those who are not quite as knowledgeable in science, but have the desire to be.

3 people found this helpful

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RDann

information

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2012

Verified Purchase

A very interesting read for those who wish to know what makes up the world we live in. It is clarly well researched and contains a number of historical facts. I think
one has to have a basic knowledge of physics and some of facts to do with the elements can go over the lay mans head. However well worth reading and one will be better informed having read it

One person found this helpful

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Hyo

A science book which actually has discussions of chemistry

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2013

Verified Purchase

Most popular science books about how the universe works are heavy on the physics; this is the first book that gives equal weight
to chemistry (which will no doubt turn some people off). Does of very good job of describing the interface between them, and
discussing the real-world implications of the chemistry.

One person found this helpful

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Jeffrey W. Rudisel

Wonderful Science

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2013

Verified Purchase

Fantastic book.
Great science, great history, great history of science, great connections.
A wealth of fascinating knowledge about what we know and how we know it, in an extremely well constructed, well elaborated, easy to understand package.
Highly recommended.
Great job.

Helpful

Christopher Clifford

Thoroughly enjoyable...

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2014

Verified Purchase

Well written and researched. Braterman was a scientist himself and he possesses an ability to convey key aspects of his field and others with clarity and skill.

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2016

Verified Purchase

The product was delivered in excellent condition

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Laëtitia

Nul

Reviewed in France on March 5, 2017

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Nul je ne savais pas que le livre ete en anglais manque d'explications pas d'image vraiment pas contente de cet article

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bella

A perfectly written gem of popular chemistry.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2013

Verified Purchase

Years ago when doing A levels our textbook was called Chemistry in Context - except it never was. Physics yes - every time we turned on a light or looked at a rainbow, maths yes - every time I drove round an island or made a cake but chemistry? Even when making aspirin or azo dyes it seemed to remain an academic subject separate from real life. Yet as this book points out everything is chemistry. Whether it's the air we breathe, the food we eat, the planet we inhabit, the water we drink or even the very facts of our existence - all are determined by the set of rules that seemed so abstract when I first learnt them and the periodic table stuck on every lab wall. What chemistry needed was a book like this to beat that simple fact into our heads. And this book does so beautifully.

This is an almost perfect book. The author brings his readers on a journey that not only puts chemistry into context but teaches them quite a lot of pure chemistry along the way. Without them even noticing! Each chapter contains a perfect mixture of pure esoteric chemistry alongside what that actually means to us in the real world. For example the author explains how lone electron pairs in water molecules effect their shape, how that in turn effects intra and inter molecular bonding and the densities of the solid and liquid form. However interwoven into all that pure chemistry are the implications of that science. The fact they make life possible, allow ice skates glide over surfaces and even how they impact on foreign policy.

The book is also incredibly well structured. Whilst each chapter can easily stand alone as a topic - eg the age of the Earth or Global warming or the colour of blood - the chemical concepts introduced in each one build on knowledge gained in the previous ones, leading a reader from the simple basics like the simple notion of the atom, the molecule and balancing of chemical equations through to complex concepts such as the laws of thermodyanmics and fuzziness of waves and probabilities of finding electrons. A sort of whizz from year seven through to A level in one short book.

If the above makes it sound like a book for those with little or no knowledge of the subject, it isn't! Paul Braterman manages to weave those concepts into a narrative that engages the reader whatever their level of ignorance or expertise. Hence whether you know nothing about balancing equations or spend long days trying to explain it, it is woven into the story of discoveries. Of Dalton, Rutherford, Lavoisier, Avogadro, Cannizzaro and others and the times and cultures in which they lived. You learn of pressures and temperatures whilst being engaged by the very human story of Haber and his wife, Paul Braterman seems to have a real gift for engaging the reader by drawing together diverse strands and showing how they connect. His breadth of knowledge is incredible, he even manages to quote Margaret Attwood and show how what she says of good literature is as true of science.

And along the way you learn how humans have learnt to manipulate chemistry and how it is human will that determines whether those same chemical laws can be used to feed milions or destroy them. Or how easily we can be taken in by scientific language (climate change denial or homeopathy). So whilst everything is chemistry Paul Braterman also shows that we can and do use that everything to our own ends - sometimes with disasterous consequences, eg climate change.

If I were to go through everything that enthralled me about this book the review would go on forever. Every chapter and almost every page seemed to have one of those 'ooh thats interesting moments'. So I will just say that I have read many popular science books and this is up there with the very best of them. I was never bored or patronised by repetitions and endless analogies as is common to some writers or baffled and confused as is the way of some others. The author has judged this book perfectly, Brilliantly explained concepts to learn from but not over simplified, over explained or overdone. No knowledge needed but no patronising by assuming no knowledge means no brains either. Never boring.

If I were to have one quibble about this book it is the pricing. Its natural home is alongside all the other popular science writers like Dawkins, Cox, Goldacre, Jones etc. It surpasses many of them. Yet it is priced slightly above them and as many judge a book by its price I feel that may lose it readers. And it shouldn't - It is such a perfect book for anyone however much they know, whatever level of scientific knowledge they bring to it.. Students between GCSE and A levels for example would find it useful, or for the science component of general studies or for anyone interested in science. I'm passionate about good science writing. It is something we need. And this book is one to be passionate about..

2 people found this helpful

J. Taylor

Popular Science Education you will Love

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2019

Verified Purchase

I agree with reviewer "Bella" - this is popular science writing at its best (I have accumulated quite a collection). Braterman summarizes many diverse science topics very succinctly and maintains reader fascination throughout. I have read many of these chapter topics as entire books, but Braterman manages to compress the content, distill the most (imo) interesting facts and weave them together in a logical order.

Part popular science, part history, also contemporary issues - this book is an education. Chapters can be read individually, but build upon previous chapters and increase in complexity. Readers with science A-levels may get the most out of this, but there is something for everyone. I really enjoyed the chemical perspective (not my forte at school). Absolutely worth the slightly higher price to learn so much in just 250 pages.

Paul Sanderson

Makes science easy to understand.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2013

Verified Purchase

I was initially expecting to be baffled by science and when the book arrived I was extremely pleased with how well written it is, makes science accessible to us amateurs.
Great read.

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