John Emsley is a well known writer and has written books such as “Molecules in an Exhibition”, “Nature's Building Blocks”, and “Vanity, Vitality, and Virility: The Science Behind the Products You Love to Buy.” He is a Science Writer in Residence in the Chemistry Department at the University of Cambridge. Earlier, he had written a “Molecule of the Month” column for the Independent for many years. Emsley received a Glaxo award for science writing, and the Chemical Industries Association's President's Award for science communication.The book under review is a fascinating account of history's major and minor incidents involving chemical poisons and poisoners. There are amusing anecdotes about poisoning and poisoners, with a smattering of current scientific thoughts on a variety of toxic agents. The book is also packed with a lot of practically useful information that can be utilized by a variety of professionals engaged in toxiclogical practice.The author succeeds eminently in producing an entertaining mix of toxicological stories, history, and science, and raises a number of interesting questions: Was Napoleon killed by the arsenic in his wallpaper? How did Rasputin survive cyanide poisoning? Which chemicals in our environment pose the biggest threat to our health today?A number of notorious toxic agents are discussed in detail, with descriptions of their lethal chemical properties, and their employment in some of the most famous murder cases in history. Several (in) famous poisoners are dealt with; among them is Mary Ann Cotton, who used arsenic to murder her mother, three husbands, a lover, eight of her own children, and seven step children! Michael Swango, who is said to have killed as many as 60 of his patients, and several of his colleagues during the 20 years he practiced as a doctor and paramedic is another macabre poisoner whose motives are examined. Emsley also discusses the possible toxic elements that may have been responsible for the madness of King George III, the psychotic delusions of Isaac Newton, and the confounding death of King Charles II. Even Saddam Hussein, who used thallium sulfate to poison his political rivals, makes an appearance.The book also analyzes many environmental disasters of today, including the accidental poisonings involving scores of people from exposure to lead and arsenic. The Minamata disaster of Japan is recounted in great detail. Truly, The Elements of Murder is an exciting and educative potpourri of real life crime and scientific facts that is hard to put down. The only (minor) failing is that it is heavily slanted towards chemicals, especially metals, and hardly dwells on organic toxins. But then the title of the book “Elements of Murder” should give you a clue that it is all about chemical elements.</sec></body></article></article></body></html>

JIST

Journal of the Indian Society of Toxicology

0973-35660973-3558

The Indian Society of Toxicology

jist-3-2-008

BOOK REVIEW

The elements of murder: A history of poison

Pillay

V. V.

John Emsley, 2006, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 432 pages, Price: 9.99 GBP (INR 805)

7–122007

322222

John Emsley is a well known writer and has written books such as “Molecules in an Exhibition”, “Nature's Building Blocks”, and “Vanity, Vitality, and Virility: The Science Behind the Products You Love to Buy.” He is a Science Writer in Residence in the Chemistry Department at the University of Cambridge. Earlier, he had written a “Molecule of the Month” column for the Independent for many years. Emsley received a Glaxo award for science writing, and the Chemical Industries Association's President's Award for science communication.The book under review is a fascinating account of history's major and minor incidents involving chemical poisons and poisoners. There are amusing anecdotes about poisoning and poisoners, with a smattering of current scientific thoughts on a variety of toxic agents. The book is also packed with a lot of practically useful information that can be utilized by a variety of professionals engaged in toxiclogical practice.The author succeeds eminently in producing an entertaining mix of toxicological stories, history, and science, and raises a number of interesting questions: Was Napoleon killed by the arsenic in his wallpaper? How did Rasputin survive cyanide poisoning? Which chemicals in our environment pose the biggest threat to our health today?A number of notorious toxic agents are discussed in detail, with descriptions of their lethal chemical properties, and their employment in some of the most famous murder cases in history. Several (in) famous poisoners are dealt with; among them is Mary Ann Cotton, who used arsenic to murder her mother, three husbands, a lover, eight of her own children, and seven step children! Michael Swango, who is said to have killed as many as 60 of his patients, and several of his colleagues during the 20 years he practiced as a doctor and paramedic is another macabre poisoner whose motives are examined. Emsley also discusses the possible toxic elements that may have been responsible for the madness of King George III, the psychotic delusions of Isaac Newton, and the confounding death of King Charles II. Even Saddam Hussein, who used thallium sulfate to poison his political rivals, makes an appearance.The book also analyzes many environmental disasters of today, including the accidental poisonings involving scores of people from exposure to lead and arsenic. The Minamata disaster of Japan is recounted in great detail. Truly, The Elements of Murder is an exciting and educative potpourri of real life crime and scientific facts that is hard to put down. The only (minor) failing is that it is heavily slanted towards chemicals, especially metals, and hardly dwells on organic toxins. But then the title of the book “Elements of Murder” should give you a clue that it is all about chemical elements.</sec></body></article></article></body></html>