The Periodic Table

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 iconic formulation of nature's atomic building blocks. -- Philip Ball, author of Elements: A Very Short Introduction