The Disappearing Spoon – Sam Kean Little Brown and Company, 2010 Chemical/miscellaneous/non-fictional elements Throughout history we recognize the figures and events, but never the elements involved . Sam Kean masterfully talks about those lost elements in a book of historical events and each story is a true piece of history and each element an unsung hero or villain. Part 1: Are you ready for this? Let's continue through each story, whether it of Sam's personal history or a historical event such as ghosts. The reader becomes involved in the event as the author guides them through. It gives the same impression as being accompanied to school by a parent for the first time. In some cases it's a story you might recognize but you might learn something new. You feel pressured, if not invested, to continue or so to speak, “Stumble further down the rabbit hole.” The beauty of the book is that the chapters have no real correlation to each other, meaning that each chapter representing a different element has a certain uniqueness. This includes the introductory chapter at the beginning that grabs your mind because, face it, it's human nature to be curious about things we don't know or understand, especially when put in a comical way so you don't pass out mid-sentence. The thesis refers to his life experiences and intertwining with others so that he understands that he is trying to make chemistry not boring or rather, to make chemistry not chemistry. I guess the point is that it adds a twist to cold, hard facts to make them warm, fuzzy facts. In this sense, the fact that the elements have always been there clearly emerges, whether it is a background character or our main pro/antagonist. It's driving you crazy, isn't it? Chemistry is actually interesting and fun at the same time… in the middle of the paper… an object disappears or an element can transform into a perfect liquid at the right temperature. After a while I realized that I wasn't just challenging the author, but challenging the world as we know it. Of course in the end the war won and I was satisfied. Not only did I get my answers, but I gained a new understanding of the book. A respect developed as I read the book a second time purely for enjoyment. In the end I was left with a smile on my face and a depressed look, because I was happy to have the opportunity to read the book but at the same time sad to have finished it. A bittersweet ending if you will, but totally worth it. Overall The Disappearing Spoon is a selection that will be around for generations to come, and I hope the time comes to re-read it again. I look forward to reading Sam's future work and will wait as long as it takes.