swimmermom3 Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 If I like Uncle Tungsten: Memoirs of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks, what other of his books will I like? I have had the book for a couple of years and had started it before, but now that we are doing chemistry with Bob Thompson's book, I am completely sucked in. If you know of other chemistry-related books I might enjoy too, that would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteryJen Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 I love Oliver Sacks, but I think Uncle Tungsten is really the most chemistry based. Most of his other works deal with his work as a neurologist. I especially enjoy The Island of the Color Blind, and The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicentra Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Here's a link to a post in the HS Chem group: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/475939-chemistry-for-afterschoolers/?p=5008077 There might be some suggestions there. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 You might like The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Girl chemist solves murder mystery. Quirky and fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Uncle Tungsten is the only one that is autobiographical in nature. Sacks' other books are mostly clinical case studies. Lots of interesting tales about neurological and behavioral disorders and quite riveting for the neuroscience enthusiast. For more neuroscience-themed books check out VS Ramachandran. If you like the adventurous, scientific childhood/ adolescence theme then Rocket Boys (Homer Hickam) and Paperboy by Henry Petroski might be fun. And of course the Feynman books: Surely You are Joking, What Do You Care What Other People Think, etc. Other chemistry books liked here include Molecules at an Exhibition and others by John Emsley. Also as a pp mentioned, The Poisoner's Handbook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 My DD is currently reading "Crime Scene Chemistry for the Armchair Sleuth" by Cathy Cobb, Monty Fetterolf, and Jack Goldsmith. It's like CSI meets high school chemistry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Mousie Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 You might like Sam Kean's The Disappearing Spoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFwife Claire Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 You might like Sam Kean's The Disappearing Spoon. That was going to be my recommendation as well! I had my chemistry students this year read that over the summer. So interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I "third" the recommendation for The Disappearing Spoon. We are in the middle of the audiobook right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald Stoker Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Primo Levi's The Periodic Table is a wonderful book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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