It's Elemental

The Hidden Chemistry in Everything

By: Kate Biberdorf

Narrated by: Kate Biberdorf

In this fresh and engaging guide to chemistry, Dr. Kate Biberdorf, aka "Kate the Chemist," reveals the fascinating science we experience every day

Have you ever wondered what makes dough rise? Or how your morning coffee gives you that energy boost? Or why your shampoo is making your hair look greasy? The answer is chemistry. From the moment we wake up until the time we go to sleep (and even while we sleep), chemistry is at work—and it doesn't take a PhD in science to understand it.

Dr. Biberdorf has appeared on TV programs from the Today show to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, lighting the world on fire and changing the face of chemistry as we know it. In It's Elemental, she demystifies the fundamental principles of the science that may have eluded you in high school and shows how chemistry comes alive in everything we do. With wry wit and infectious enthusiasm, this entertaining guide will ignite your passion for science and change the way you experience the world.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Connecting the dots

I was a chemistry major in college, and then went to medical school.
And have practiced medicine for 40 years.
You have reminded me of so many wonderful things and made connections that I have either forgotten or never knew.
I wish I had listened to this as a freshman in college

Amazing!!!

What an amazing book, chemistry broken down into easily consumable chapters with real life examples.

Great Listen

The author's enthusiasm for chemistry is very evident and makes it a better listen. She does a great job of explaining how chemistry is involved in everyday objects around the house, and life.

engaging and fun listen

bear through the first chapters of basic chemistry as these are fundamental to appreciating the fun applications later in the book. great structure, very relatable and not overly complex. I just listened to a few other books by specialist in their field that fell flat for me as a non-specialist looking to casually learn. they would have benefited from reading this book as a great example of how to take a complicated topic and make it approachable and fun. kudos to the author and editor!!

So helpful!

I struggled through chemistry as a second time college student and this book really helped me piece together the info I had learned in CHM 113, making CHM 116 so much easier to grasp. Highly recommended read.