Poison: Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines

Author: Albee, Sarah

Color: Multicolor

Edition: Illustrated

Number Of Pages: 192

Details:

Science geeks and armchair detectives will soak up this non-lethal, humorous account of the role poisons have played in human history. Perfect for STEM enthusiasts!   For centuries, people have been poisoning one another—changing personal lives and the course of empires alike.   From spurned spouses and rivals, to condemned prisoners like Socrates, to endangered emperors like Alexander the Great, to modern-day leaders like Joseph Stalin and Yasser Arafat, poison has played a starring role in the demise of countless individuals. And those are just the deliberate poisonings. Medical mishaps, greedy “snake oil” salesmen and food contaminants, poisonous Prohibition, and industrial toxins also impacted millions.   Part history, part chemistry, part whodunit, Poison: Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines traces the role poisons have played in history from antiquity to the present and shines a ghoulish light on the deadly intersection of human nature . . . and Mother Nature. From School Library Journal Gr 5–8—The author of Poop Happened and Bugged: How Insects Changed History delves into the torrid history of poisons both accidental and purposeful. Albee explains early on that she has chosen to sidestep warfare and genocide and focus primarily on the Western cultures with which she is most familiar, though she doesn't mention how freely she has speculated about historical deaths that occurred before toxicology screens could corroborate suspicions. The author provides a varied and engrossing exploration of toxic substances and their use and misuse throughout millennia. Chapters are roughly in chronological order and overflow with sidebars, photos, and "Tox Boxes," which each highlight a single poison and its properties. The author avoids diving too deeply into chemical and biological minutiae, and the format and content combine for a quick pace. Touching on hazardous occupations, political intrigue, personal vendettas, and tainted food, among many other gruesome situations, Albee tracks the halting scientific advancements that have improved protections and saved lives, often as a result of hideous setbacks. The rapid-fire style and punny captions impose a certain levity, even when death and injury are covered, which may not suit more sensitive readers. But the extensive back matter will surely win the hearts of librarians and other fact-minded folks. VERDICT Ideal for readers, including reluctant ones, who delight in the science and scare factor of poisons or grotesque medicine.—Robbin E. Friedman, Chappaqua Library, NY

Reviews:

"[Albee's] light tone makes this morbid, well-researched study a sinister indulgence."

— Booklist starred review

" A compelling, entertaining, and informative introduction to a sinister aspect of human history." Kirkus Reviews"There’s plenty of material here to delight fans of [Georgia] Bragg’s popular How They Croaked."

— The Bulletin"

Ideal for readers, including reluctant ones, who delight in the science and scare factor of poisons or grotesque medicine."

— School Library Journal

About the Author:

Sarah Albee has written numerous nonfiction children’s books, including Why’d They Wear That? Fashion as the Mirror of History; Bugged: How Insects Changed History; and Poop Happened! A History of the World from the Bottom Up. Before Sarah began her career as a children’s book writer and editor, she was a newspaper cartoonist and a semi-professional basketball player. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children. You can visit Sarah at sarahalbeebooks.com, or follow her on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter at @sarahalbee....

EAN: 9781101932247

Release Date: 05-09-2017

Languages: English

Item Condition: New

Binding: Library Binding