John Emsley

Phosphorus was the 13th Element to be discovered although it is the 15th element in the Periodic Table and is one of the building blocks of life as well as a deadly poison. Elemental phosphorus was most probably first seen by an alchemist named Hennig Brandt in Hamburg around 1669 deriving it from urine. And so began the history of one of the most dangerous elements from which men learned to make Lucifers (matches), incendiary bombs (used extensively in WWII), nerve gases, and pesticides.

I found this book to be interesting and an easy read although some will find that the chemical formulas and long names for various compounds may be a minor stumbling block. Not only is there a lot of science but a lot of history in these three hundred pages covering over 300 years. I particularly liked learning about matchmaking and the health problems it caused in the workers until a safer method of making them was adapted.

Recommended for those who enjoy reading about the history of science and technology.… (more)