We all know the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Likewise, each element of the periodic table has its own history and unique meaning. However, the average high schooler simply associates these items with something used in chemistry class. In fact, the elements seen on the periodic table actually have much more to do with our daily lives and history than most people know. Bringing a whole new perspective to the meaning of chemistry, author Sam Kean successfully tells the hidden stories through humor and wit in his bestselling novel The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of Elements. Specifically, Chapter 15, "An Element of Madness," addresses the lives of several "mad scientists" associated with selenium, manganese, palladium, barium, and roentgenium that ultimately led to their downfall. So what makes a “mad” scientist? Kean characterizes the mad scientist as someone who possesses both qualities of supreme intelligence and, undoubtedly, moody characteristics. The author first describes the life of William Crookes, a successful author and part of an exclusive club of elite scientists. A combination of selenium experimentation and the tragic death of his brother, he finally reached his point of madness. Additionally, Kean connects manganese to the story through the discovery of shark teeth on the ocean floor. The scientists found that manganese coated the surface of the large teeth; and people linked this to the megalodon craze. The author also traces the scandal of Pons and Fleischmann, who claimed to create cold fusion using palladium, a powerful element capable of consuming immense quantities of water...... middle of paper...... it really felt -provocative and insightful while being funny at the same time. This novel definitely changes the way I see these elements and provides some basic information about these elements that have influenced the lives of many scientists. Personally, I really enjoyed reading this chapter because I got to read about a mad scientist in the real world sense. Even for someone who doesn't particularly like non-fiction novels, especially about chemistry, I thought it was quite enjoyable to read. The Missing Spoon: And Other True Stories of Madness, Love, and World History from the Periodic Table of the Elements is definitely a novel that a high school student, even with minimal background in chemistry, should read. This is certainly a book that will enhance your knowledge about chemistry by providing a bizarre and satisfying experience through various stories and examples.