About this title: This book is about elements that kill. Mercury, arsenic, antimony, lead, and thallium can be lethal, as many a poisoner knew too well. Emsley explores the gruesome history of these elements and those who have succumbed to them in a fascinating narrative that weaves together stories of true crime, enduring historical mysteries, tragic accidents, and the science behind it all. The colourful cast includes ancient alchemists, kings, leaders, a pope, several great musicians, and a motley crew of murderers. Among the intriguing accounts is that of the 17th century poet Sir Thomas Overbury, who ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Date Published: 2006-09-14
ISBN-13:9780192806000ISBN:0192806009
Description: Like New. Excellent-condition NEVER-READ copy. May have small remainder mark. CHRISTMAS special! SUPER-FAST shipping! BUY EXTRA copies! EXPEDITED ship available. *Real-person* customer service. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. read more
Edition: 1st Edition.
Binding: Hardbound
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Oxford
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780192805997ISBN:0192805991
Description: 8vo (9.5 inches tall) 421 pages. Index, bibliography, glossary, appendix. Description: Exploring the dark side of the periodic table, this narrative weaves together stories of true crime, enduring historical mysteries, tragic accidents, and the science behind it all. The colorful cast includes ancient alchemists, kings, leaders, a pope, several great musician, and a motley crew of murderers. Alongside the criminal aspects, are historical accounts of thousands who have suffered the ill effects ... read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Oxford, Oxford
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780192805997ISBN:0192805991
Description: Fine in Very Good+ Unclipped jacket. A New England Independant Bookstore Since 1974. A solid edition. DJ: minor ruffling along edges. Text: some rubbing along board edges, appears unread, tight and clean. read more
Edition: First Printing
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Oxford University Press, New York, New York, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780192805997ISBN:0192805991
Description: Fine in Fine jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. "John Emsley combines history, chemistry, and true crime in this compelling account of murderous xhemical elements. Mercury, arsenic, antimony, lead, and thallium-all have caused death, sometimes by accident, sometimes by design....Through vividly told stories of innocent blunders, poisoners of various hues-cold, cunning, desperate-and deaths that remain a mystery, Emsley here uncovers the dark side of the Periodic Table. " This book has 421 pages. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date Published: 2006
ISBN-13:9780192806000ISBN:0192806009
Description: BRAND NEW PAPERBACK. 196x129 mm. (432) what killed charles ii? who thought he had discovered the perfect poison? why did hatters go mad? and what made victorian floral wallpaper dangerous? john emsley combines history, chemistry, and true crime in this compelling account of murderous chemical elements. through vividly told stories of innocent blunders, poisoners of various hues-cold, cunning, desperate-and deaths that remain a mystery, this book uncovers the dark side of the periodic table. ... read more
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Oxford University Press (United Kingdom)
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9780192805997ISBN:0192805991
Description: BRAND NEW HARDBACK. 234 High by 156 Wide by 39 deep in mm. (436) how can a chemical we need on a daily basis to keep us healthy be fatal at a different dose? why should elements that are intrinsically dangerous be used in medicine? how did poisoners use the chemical properties of chemicals to cover their tracks? emsley gives detailed histories of five of the most toxic elements-arsenic, antimony, lead, mercury, and thallium, highlighting some of the most famous murders and how the murderers ... read more
Description: Good. Only lightly used. Book has minimal wear to cover and binding. A few pages may have small creases and minimal underlining. Book selection as BIG as Texas. read more
Description: Good. Light shelving wear with minimal damage to cover and bindings. Pages show minor use. Help save a tree. Buy all your used books from Green Earth Books. Read. Recycle and Reuse! read more
Description: Fair. Ex-Library Book-will contain Library Markings. Help save a tree. Buy all your used books from Green Earth Books. Read. Recycle and Reuse! read more
"This book is unique and very worthwhile to read! I would count it as a 'living book' about chemistry. Living because while it explains the chemistry behind many elements known now to be poisonous, it is told not from a dry technical perspective but within the context of people that were affected by living with medical treatments that were actually poisonous dosing and other situations where they came in contact with these various elements.
Each element is explained from a chemical structure perspective, how it reacts chemically and why, how it was discovered and what it does to the human body. It is a book with real history in it, because as the author explains the chemical properties this is done in conjunction with many different "sudden deaths" in the past that can now probably be diagnosed as due to poison.
For those who are interested in murder mysteries, some of the stories read indeed like Agatha Christie. Some of the people discussed include Napoleon (death by arsenic, but probably because there was arsenic in the paint in the wallpaper where he was staying?), the madness of King George III (lead poisoning combined with a genetic illness?), and many others. Elements examined include mercury (implicated in the death of Charles II who had his own basement laboratory with little to no ventilation), arsenic, antimony, lead, thallium, and another chapter of miscellaneous elements.
VERY interesting! It makes you REALLY appreciate living in the current day and age...instead of in the past when food was stored in containers that had lead glaze on them, or drinking from bottles sealed with lead solder, or eating from canned food that had been tainted with lead solder when sealed, or were given medical treatments that included arsenic or mercury.... YIKES!"
"Hey - people used to take antimony pills after a night of heavy drinking to help them puke! and also, they would poop out the pill and reuse it! and...um, poisoners usually get found out because they poison 18 people or tell everybody that they are really into poisoning."
"An especially useful book if, like me, you harbor the vague and ridiculous ambition of writing your own mystery novel someday. But entertaining even if you don't."
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