The 13th Element

The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire, and Phosphorus

• Author(s): John Emsley,
• Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
• Pages: 352
• ISBN_10: 1620459434
  ISBN_13: 9781620459430
  
• Language: en
• Categories: Science / Chemistry / Physical & Theoretical , Science / History , Science / Chemistry / Inorganic ,

Description:... The incredible "glowing" history of the "Devil's element "phosphorus

Discovered by alchemists, prescribed by apothecaries, exploited by ninth-century industrialists, and abused by twentieth-century combatants, the chemical element phosphorus has fascinated us for more than three centuries. It may even be the cause of will-o'-the wisps and spontaneous human combustion! Now John Emsley has written an enthralling account of this eerily luminescent element. Shining with wonderful nuggets-from murders-by-phosphorus to a match factory strike; from the firebombing of Hamburg to the deadly compounds derived from phosphorus today-The 13th Element weaves together a rich tableau of brilliant and oddball characters, social upheavals, and bizarre events.