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Symphony in C
Symphony in C: Carbon and the Evolution of (Almost) Everything | Robert Hazen
4 posts | 2 read | 4 to read
An enchanting biography of the most resonant - and most necessary - chemical element on Earth. Carbon. It's in the fibres in your hair, the timbers in your walls, the food that you eat and the air that you breathe. It's worth billions as a luxury and half a trillion as a necessity, but there are still mysteries yet to be solved about the element that can be both diamond and coal. Where does it come from, what does it do, and why, above all, does life need it? With sparkling prose and engaging narrative, earth scientist Robert Hazen leads us on a vibrant journey through the origin and evolution of life's most ubiquitous element. The story unfolds in four movements - Earth, Air, Fire and Water - and transports us through 14 billion years of cosmic history. From the outer reaches of the universe to the cliffs of Scotland and into the precious-metal mines of Namibia, Symphony in C is a sweeping chronicle of carbon: the most essential element on Earth.
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shanaqui

I'm super in the mood for popular science at the moment, clearly, so here's my next read. I'm not as into chemistry as biology, so it might depend on how his writing it... there are authors who can engage me in anything, including physics, so it's possible! Also, the title and idea is pretty clever.

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Kell1
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Pickpick

Recently I have been curious about Carbon and it's influence in shaping the world. I was looking for a book that could put everything together in explaining why it is so, and this book almost satisfied that desire. It was written by a minerologist and it tends to wander off into that direction. It's a great read if you want to understand a little bit more about the world, but I will keep looking for more answers about C that I couldn't find here.

wanderinglynn In Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson, he has a chapter about the elements and their role in shaping the universe. Won‘t be as in depth as you want, but it might lead you to other resources. 5y
Kell1 @wanderingly, thanks for the recommendation, will definitely add the book to my stack. Much appreciated. 5y
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pyjamaviking
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Pickpick

Really topical book. It's accessibly and entertainingly written. The prose is very list-like though, and that's where it loses something in my eyes. If you can handle the science though, this would be an excellent choice. #symphonyinc #roberthazen #review

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pyjamaviking
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