A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe

excellent book targeted for kids from the age of approx 12 - 99 ! it gives you just enough technical info about the element, some pictures of what the material looks like in its raw form, details of how it was discovered, and some history of the practical uses of the element. i think that this book should be required reading in high school for anyone planning on taking technical curriculum. it also looks great on my coffee table.

What awesome up close pictures! What great explanations on each element....where it comes from, what it is used for and the photographs are breathtaking! The quality of the book, the binding, the feel of the pages, everything is awesome about it!
Anyone who loves science, elements, earth science, what things are made of, home school............

This book is sooo beautiful! I thought it would be all eye candy, but the author writes in such a funny, witty way. I love how he relates the elements to everyday items, it takes it to a new level of approachability. Bonus poster! Really gorgeous. I ended up buying a copy for my daughter's science teacher as well. We read one element a day together, which is a great geeky bonding activity.

I really enjoyed reading this. It is an interesting, quick read for the non-chemist who just wants to know a little about all the elements. I liked all the photos and the anecdotes that the author presented with many of the elements. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Chemistry. If you are a chemist, you're probably going to find it to be way too basic, but it was perfect for me, and I loved it!

This is an excellent reference book, with views of the elements I couldn't have imagined. It's loaded with facts about each of them, and has some good humor thrown in. I bought one for my son and was so impressed that I bought one for everyone in my family.

This is an amazing book! There is a gorgeous photo of each element, followed by information about that element and ways the element is used in life. The author is entertaining, so the information is presented in an interesting, engaging way. When I saw this book at a homeschool science club, I went home and immediately ordered four copies, one for my family and three to give as gifts. My children all spend time looking at and reading this book, and it is beautiful enough to leave on your coffee table.

Great book, bought as a companion to the BBC podcast Elements for my 10 year old son. I catch him looking at the book nightly as he listens to the podcast before bed.

Full color photos with basics of the elements

My husband, a middle school science teacher, was excited to receive as a gift. He teaches a unit on elements, and, along with his students, was impressed by the quality of information and illustrations. Will be valued for many years.

The Elements is appropriately entertaining not to be dull, while providing a layperson a glance into what fills in all the various spots on the periodic table. I enjoyed the read, and will probably refer back to it to help with retention.

This book is wonderful. I love the pictures of almost every element. The book is easy to read, and understand. I read it to my three young daughters, and they love it. It is great to see common products that use specific elements for special purposes.

My husband surprised me with this book. It was one of the sweetest things anyone has ever gotten me. I love books and have a strong science/chemistry background. But even if you don't... this book has amazing pictures and very interesting facts about each element. Things it is used for, properties, etc. Beautifully put together.

Beautiful book, and very interesting. I bought it for my grandson who has a "thing" for the elements and the periodic table. I know he will enjoy it, because I couldn't put it down when I got it, and chemistry was never my "thing!"

Excellent book of the elements. Pictures of each element are absolutely beautiful. I got this for my middle school kid when he started learning about the elements in school. The book is well written and very entertaining. Not just a boring book of facts.

This book is beautiful. I am just starting to introduce the elements to my class and this book has really piqued their interest in this subject because it devotes a page with plenty of photos and interesting facts to each element. The photos are displayed on a black background and they really POP. I wish i'd had access to a book like this when i learned about the elements years ago! One of my students is especially fascinated with this book and keeps asking how she can isolate elements like they do in the book. I told her she might just have to become a scientist! I can see how this book has enriched my students' understanding of the world we live in.
BUT, I gave it four stars because the first time I opened up the book it cracked and pages were separating themselves from the spine. I will probably have to fix this somehow, maybe punch holes and put it in a binder or take it to an office supply store to have them spiral bind it so I won't lose any pages.

I love this book! Nice coffee table book to scan through. Each page give just little interesting tid bits about each element. Nothing but pictures and info. Engaging enough, I think my 10yr old will like it.

Work with attention to detail, which shows a wide competence and a great dedication. I appreciated the photographic setting, the wealth of detail, the multiplicity of jobs and the disparate quotes. I liked the considerations sometimes filled with a savory irony. I want to express my admiration to the author who created this masterpiece. I highly recommend to all those who still have a little curiosity towards nature less known.

Our family loves NOVA and when we say Theodore Gray on NOVA, we knew his book on the elements would be worth having. My fourth grader loves this book and studies it all the time. The information provided includes the technical aspects as well as the non-technical fun facts. The photography is great and having pictures of how the element appears in our everyday life is a wonderful way to learn the composition of the things around us. We love this book and would recommend it to any budding scientist.

If you are interested in chemistry at all, get this book... 'nuf said.

I hope, in the spirit of Theodore Gray, I write: please remove the annoying quote of John Tierney from the Editorial Reviews and the back cover of the book. While it is intended to be praise for the work, what he says is this is the only book of its kind he has ever seen and it is the most gorgeous. Well, since it is the only one he has ever seen it is meaningless to say it is the most anything. This egregious, empty quote reflects badly on the content of the book and is anathema to the clarity of Mr Gray's prose. I hope you will agree and expunge this quote from future editions.