This book introduces readers to the most important unifying concept in
chemistry: the periodic table. From the 100d or so elements at the heart
of the story, everything tangible is made, whether a planet or a
microscopic organism.
"The Periodic Kingdom" is cleverly arranged like a travel guide. With
vivid imagery, the author describes the organization of the kingdom of
the elements, the history of its discovery, and where the elements came
from. Atkins shows how the elements relate to one another and explains
how the location of an element in this imaginary landscape can be used
to predict its properties.