Liquid: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives

Description

Sometimes explosive, often delightful, occasionally poisonous, but always fascinating- the secret lives of liquids, from one of our best-known scientists A series of glasses of transparent liquids is in front of you- but which will quench your thirst and which will kill you? And why? Why does one liquid make us drunk, and another power a jumbo jet? From the bestselling author of Stuff Matters comes a fascinating tour of the world of these surprising or sinister substances - the droplets, heartbeats and ocean waves we encounter day-to-day. Structured around a plane journey which sees encounters with water, wine, and oil, among others, Miodownik shows that liquids are agents of death and destruction as well as substances of wonder and fascination. Just as in Stuff Matters his unique brand of scientific storytelling brings them and their mysterious properties alive in a captivating new way.

A Financial Times Master of Science and chosen by The Times as one of the 100 most influential scientists in the UK, Mark Miodownik is Professor of Materials and Society at University College London, where he is also Director of the Institute of Making. He is the author of the NYT bestselling Stuff Matters and presents BBC TV programmes on science and engineering. He writes regularly for the Guardian and Observer.

Miodownik packs this delightful book with so much 'well, I never knew that' information. Not only does he know his stuff but, just as importantly, he knows how to tell a good story. A truly delightful read -- Jim Al-Khalili, author of Paradox It's a little known fact that liquids are the coolest state of matter. And if anyone can spread that message all around him, it's Mark Miodownik. From ink to saliva, coffee to soap, this is an exhilarating, eye-opening ride. -- Philip Ball, science writer and author of H2O: A Biography of Water A brilliantly navigated journey through the scientific marvels of the fluid world, from coffee to kerosene, from tea to tar, from honey to hydrophobia, from peanut butter to perfluorocarbons. A thrilling read, from start to finish -- Tim Radford, author of The Consolations of Physics: Why the Wonders of the Universe Can Make You Happy Miodownik is a materials scientist, but really he is an alchemist; he transforms knowledge of everyday stuff into literary gold. His book on liquids oozes brilliance on every page -- Alex Bellos, author of Alex Through the Looking Glass This book delivers exactly what it promises . . . It's a treat. I lost count of the number of "but why?" questions it answers . . . This is a winning and hugely readable book -- James McConnachie * The Sunday Times * Once again, Miodownik has written a book much like the substances it describes: exciting, anarchic and surprising. Like the sea, it covers a lot of ground. And like a perfectly made cup of tea, it is warm, comforting and very refreshing -- Katy Guest * The Guardian * Miodownik yet again makes the seemingly mundane awe-inspiring. I'll never look at a ballpoint pen the same way again -- Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, New York Times-bestselling authors of Soonish Mark Miodownik flies high again in Liquid. It's a treat to see the world through his eyes as he flows from topic to topic, and under his gaze even the most mundane things-ballpoint pens, ketchup bottles, a cup of tea-sizzle with significance -- Sam Kean, New York Times-bestselling author of The Disappearing Spoon and Caesar's Last Breath Miodownik's appeal comes not only from his ability to explain the complexities of science and engineering but also from his acute social observations . . . original and entertaining -- Clive Cookson * Financial Times * Miodownik uses a routine transatlantic flight from London to San Francisco - and the liquids that he encounters on the way - as a vehicle for a sparkling exposition of materials in science and engineering. His lively analysis takes in kerosene fuel, wines from the drinks trolley, glues holding the aircraft together, the entertainment system's liquid crystal display, clouds outside the cabin, and much more besides.) * FT Books of the Year 2018 * Enthralling . . . A mission to re-acquaint us with the wonders of the fabric that sustains our lives * Guardian on Stuff Matters * Insightful, fascinating. The futuristic materials will elicit gasps. Makes even the most everyday substance seem exciting * Sunday Times on Stuff Matters *