The Periodic Table

“This second edition comprises 14 chapters, four of them new or modified versions of chapters in the first edition. The periodic table has evolved over the last 150 years, even over the last decade, so both editions of this book are valuable.” – R. E. Buntrock, Choice”In this second edition of his classic tome, there is depth, lucidity, and comprehensiveness, making this book a must-buy for anyone who wants to completely understand the history and implications of the Periodic Table. Many of the readers of this review will already own a copy of the first edition and will wonder whether it is necessary to purchase the second edition. In the opinion of this reviewer, the answer is an emphatic “Yes.” – Geoff Rayner-Canham,Memorial University, Canada, Centaurus”The concentrated wave of scholarship accompanying 150-year celebrations of the discovery of the periodic system, of course, is of value for those who want to expand their knowledge on a staple icon such as the periodic table …” – Karoliina Pulkkinen, Metascience”As a whole, this book is not highly technical, and it has the attractiveness of providing material that doesn’t appear in typical school textbooks. Generally, those textbooks present the last triumphant version, not the unsuccessful episodes’ history and context. Only a few experts know the “dark side” of the story, so this book fills in many useful parts of that bigger picture. This book will appeal to scholars and science readers alike, especially thoseinterested in history of science, chemistry, physics, and philosophy.” – Maria Elvira Callapez, ChemTexts”Scerri’s book is one that I trust will find its way on to the shelves of all libraries, be they real or virtual, and no doubt it will be consulted by generations to come, as it well it deserves to be.” – John Emsley, Foundations of Chemistry”The periodic table continues to generate new thoughts as the list of elements grows, its foundations are refined, and new portrayals are developed. Eric Scerri captures all these innovations in this timely updating of his very readable account of the origin, structure, and interpretation of the table.” – Peter Atkins, University of Oxford”The 2nd edition of Eric’s Scerri’s journey through the periodic table is up-to-date, readable, and intellectually enticing. This icon of chemistry has never had a better expositor!” – Roald Hoffmann, Cornell University”This second edition is a revised and expanded take on the philosophical and historical aspects of the periodic table that made his first edition such a worthy successor to van Spronsen’s classic history.” – Carmen Giunta, , Le Moyne College”Written to a high standard of scholarship, The Periodic Table is the best book on this subject currently available. It gives both an historical and philosophical perspective to the development of this key to the elements, as well as including all the recent additions to the table.” – John Emsley, author of Nature’s Building Blocks”Since Eric Scerri’s The Periodic Table was the definitive book on the topic when it first appeared, it is wonderful to see that status claimed anew by this second edition during the International Year of the Periodic Table. The story is still unfolding, thanks in large part to the ingenuity of today’s element-makers, and the additions bring this volume right up to date. It remains as clear, balanced and thoughtful as ever, and is the best guide to this iconicformulation of nature’s atomic building blocks.” – Philip Ball, author of Elements: A Very Short Introduction

Dr. Eric Scerri is a leading philosopher of science specializing in the history and philosophy of the periodic table. Throughout his career, he has specialized in historical and philosophical aspects of the periodic table. He has published over 140 articles and a number of books including The Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction, A Tale of Seven Elements, A Tale of Seven Scientists and a New Philosophy of Science, and Essays in the Philosophy of Chemistry. For the past twenty years, Scerri has been a full-time lecturer at UCLA.