--- product_id: 53113022 title: "The Periodic Table (Penguin Modern Classics)" price: "€ 16.70" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.pt/products/53113022-the-periodic-table-penguin-modern-classics store_origin: PT region: Portugal --- # The Periodic Table (Penguin Modern Classics) **Price:** € 16.70 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Periodic Table (Penguin Modern Classics) - **How much does it cost?** € 16.70 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.pt](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/53113022-the-periodic-table-penguin-modern-classics) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Buy The Periodic Table (Penguin Modern Classics) 26 by Levi, Primo, Rosenthal, Raymond (ISBN: 9780141185149) from desertcart's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Review: Not really science but compelling nonetheless - I came to this book expecting a more traditional nonfiction science book based on various elements that compose the periodic table. It was after all voted as the best science book ever in 2006 by the respected Royal Institution of Great Britain. In this respect I have to admit I was rather disappointed. The book comprises a series of autobiographical stories from Levi’s life. Each of these stories are inspired in some way by an element from the table. Nickel, for instance, tells the story of the chemical laboratories of a mine, Arsenic (a personal favourite) examines the analysis of a sugar sample (perhaps laced with arsenic) and silver the story of faulty photographic plates. While the majority of these stories are autobiographical in nature several, such as those of mercury and lead, are fictional. While some of the links to the periodic table are clear and front-centre others are more subtle. It is for this reason I was disappointed with the book as a science book in the strictest of definitions. That said, though I expected something entirely different the book makes for a compelling, thoughtful and interesting read which gives an intimate insight into Levi’s life, identity and experiences, especially that of being a Jew living under Fascist rule during the war and its aftermath. The quality of the work is astounding and the stories are each incredibly moving in their own way. I don’t know whether I can recommend this as a science book in the manner of the Royal Institution but I can wholeheartedly recommend it as the compelling collection of autobiographical stories with a scientific theme it is. This book really does give you a lot to think about and is one that I think has the potential to have a profound emotional impact. Review: Don't let the title (or first chapter) put you off - Levi is a slow burning reader, much like many of the compounds and elements he describes in his short novel. His series of vignettes about life before, during and after the Holocaust of WW2 is written very beautifully, with a deep sense of nostalgia and longing (though longing for what, I can never decide). Levi is an incredibly talented chemist and writer, and I describe him as a chemist first and foremost because his role as a chemist is much more important to me in the novel than his role as the writer. In the same way that Bazarov in Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" inspects and analyses the human condition through his role as a doctor, so too does Levi inspect humanity (or the lack of it) as a chemist. It's amazingly beautiful and descriptive, sometimes as realistic and detailed as an oil painting. My only gripes is that the occasional vignette is almost too slow and boring, perhaps like a photograph that aged badly and has become muddy and unclear. Other than that, the novel as a whole is spectacular and deserves a read. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 29,833 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 55 in Holocaust Biographies 142 in World War II Biographies (Books) 980 in Short Stories (Books) | | Customer reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (624) | | Dimensions | 12.9 x 1.3 x 19.8 cm | | Edition | 26th | | ISBN-10 | 0141185147 | | ISBN-13 | 978-0141185149 | | Item weight | 170 g | | Language | English | | Print length | 224 pages | | Publication date | 7 Sept. 2000 | | Publisher | Penguin Classics | ## Images ![The Periodic Table (Penguin Modern Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91G3QpwfBCL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not really science but compelling nonetheless *by D***H on 10 April 2019* I came to this book expecting a more traditional nonfiction science book based on various elements that compose the periodic table. It was after all voted as the best science book ever in 2006 by the respected Royal Institution of Great Britain. In this respect I have to admit I was rather disappointed. The book comprises a series of autobiographical stories from Levi’s life. Each of these stories are inspired in some way by an element from the table. Nickel, for instance, tells the story of the chemical laboratories of a mine, Arsenic (a personal favourite) examines the analysis of a sugar sample (perhaps laced with arsenic) and silver the story of faulty photographic plates. While the majority of these stories are autobiographical in nature several, such as those of mercury and lead, are fictional. While some of the links to the periodic table are clear and front-centre others are more subtle. It is for this reason I was disappointed with the book as a science book in the strictest of definitions. That said, though I expected something entirely different the book makes for a compelling, thoughtful and interesting read which gives an intimate insight into Levi’s life, identity and experiences, especially that of being a Jew living under Fascist rule during the war and its aftermath. The quality of the work is astounding and the stories are each incredibly moving in their own way. I don’t know whether I can recommend this as a science book in the manner of the Royal Institution but I can wholeheartedly recommend it as the compelling collection of autobiographical stories with a scientific theme it is. This book really does give you a lot to think about and is one that I think has the potential to have a profound emotional impact. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Don't let the title (or first chapter) put you off *by Y***A on 7 June 2013* Levi is a slow burning reader, much like many of the compounds and elements he describes in his short novel. His series of vignettes about life before, during and after the Holocaust of WW2 is written very beautifully, with a deep sense of nostalgia and longing (though longing for what, I can never decide). Levi is an incredibly talented chemist and writer, and I describe him as a chemist first and foremost because his role as a chemist is much more important to me in the novel than his role as the writer. In the same way that Bazarov in Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons" inspects and analyses the human condition through his role as a doctor, so too does Levi inspect humanity (or the lack of it) as a chemist. It's amazingly beautiful and descriptive, sometimes as realistic and detailed as an oil painting. My only gripes is that the occasional vignette is almost too slow and boring, perhaps like a photograph that aged badly and has become muddy and unclear. Other than that, the novel as a whole is spectacular and deserves a read. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Human Chemical Observations *by A***E on 29 October 2017* Many may find that the first several pages weed those that will read from those who will not. And whilst the craft of writing well comes with patience and time, I find that Primo leaves you wondering about what is also not on the page... the voices now silent, no longer even echos of recollection. Here are some of my favourites: In the brief instants of the flight of the instinct of self-preservation made us take a leap backward. Emilioi said, "I thought it would make more noise." "and nobody knows why anymore" "It seemed to me that I had won a small but decisive battle against the darkness, the emptiness, and the hostile years that lay ahead." --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.pt/products/53113022-the-periodic-table-penguin-modern-classics](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/53113022-the-periodic-table-penguin-modern-classics) --- *Product available on Desertcart Portugal* *Store origin: PT* *Last updated: 2026-05-17*