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.