Dimensions
130 x 197 x 30mm
A Biography of the Devil's Element.
This is a terrific popular science book that puts the chemical element phosphorus under the microscope - from its genesis through to its modern day uses in pesticides and household chemicals.
Born of the age of alchemy, and harbouring the kind of mysterious influence that alchemists sought, phosphorus brought wealth to a few but misery to many. For over 300 years, phosphorus maimed, killed, polluted and burned - sometimes on a terrifying scale. And yet, such were its perceived benefits that doctors prescribed it, every home contained it and whole industries were dedicated to its manufacture . . .
Award-winning author John Emsley has written a fascinating account of an element, which traces the destructive path of phosphorus through history and its potentially dangerous future.
