Mauve: How One Man Invented a Color That Changed the World

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Mauve: How One Man Invented a Color That Changed the World

3.63 of 5 stars 3.63 · rating details · 529 ratings · 75 reviews

In 1856 eighteen-year-old English chemist William Perkin accidentally discovered a way to mass-produce color. In a "witty, erudite, and entertaining" (Esquire) style, Simon Garfield explains how the experimental mishap that produced an odd shade of purple revolutionized fashion, as well as industrial applications of chemistry research. Occasionally honored in certain colle...more

Paperback, 240 pages

Published May 17th 2002 by W. W. Norton & Company (first published September 4th 2000)

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Jul 22, 2007 David rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: unexpectedly-terrific

This was a fascinating book, albeit on a very specific topic. Nicely done and full of interesting nuggets of information about life in Victorian England.

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May 09, 2009 Marissa Morrison rated it 2 of 5 stars

I am glad that Garfield wrote this book because I don't think I would otherwise have learned about the history and significance of synthetic dyes. However, this book seemed to be more a collection of facts than a narrative. I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me that Mauve contains the author's notes, which he planned to flesh out to create a coherent story, but then he ran out of time. In many instances, I wasn't sure what to make of the facts presented.

Example One: Garfield says that Perki...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction

Garfield's writing style is mostly matter-of-fact, with a few flashes of oddness or romance, which I wanted more of: I liked, for example, that he gave the recipe for Perkin's dye alongside a recipe for Nesselrode pudding (served at a jubilee dinner in New York celebrating Perkin's invention). I wanted more of that: my absolute favorite thing in the book was the long list of where color-names come from (chemicals flowers, places, fruits, common things, etc.).

Which isn't to say that the central...more Garfield's writing style is mostly matter-of-fact, with a few flashes of oddness or romance, which I wanted more of: I liked, for example, that he gave the recipe for Perkin's dye alongside a recipe for Nesselrode pudding (served at a jubilee dinner in New York celebrating Perkin's invention). I wanted more of that: my absolute favorite thing in the book was the long list of where color-names come from (chemicals flowers, places, fruits, common things, etc.).

Which isn't to say that the central story of Perkin, who made his discovery by accident at the age of eighteen, wasn't interesting in itself. Perkin studied and worked in the lab of August Wilhelm von Hofmann at the Royal College of Chemistry, and one of Hofmann's interests was showing "how well the study of chemistry could produce the artificial synthesis of natural substances" (29). One of the substances he wanted to synthesize was quinine, which was in huge demand for the prevention and treatment of malaria; Perkin's discovery, which came about at home over the Easter holiday because of his curiosity about the results of a failed experiment, was not synthetic quinine, but rather a way of treating coal-tar to make a distinctive powerful and color-fast purple dye with aniline as its base. Mauve inspired many imitators: other aniline dyes in similar shades and other shades were developed, and were manufactured (especially in Germany) on a huge scale, bringing more and brighter colors to more consumer goods.
And aniline dyes like Perkin's mauve weren't just used to dye textiles: they were used to stain cell and tissue samples, and were useful in staining and therefore identifying and studying specific bacteria associated with specific diseases. They even were the starting point for chemotherapy, as scientists realized that the dyes weren't just staining the cells but reacting with matter in them.

I wasn't so into the parts of this book about industry (I especially could have done without all the bits about corporate buyouts and mergers) though I did like some of the more lively bits, particularly a section on the Victorian-era dye industry's publicity battle. As more and more people made aniline dyes in various colors, worries about health risks grew: some colors used arsenic, which could pollute local water supplies and might also cause skin irritations; some doctors and concerned citizens claimed that even arsenic-free colors were irritating because of the coal-tar itself - especially in cheaper dyes that were less color-fast than Perkin's mauve. There was a push to encourage a switch back to natural dyes, but that didn't really make financial/logistical sense, and besides, the manufacturers of artificial dyes pushed back. I love this: "Williams Bros and Ekin, from Hounslow, Middlesex, mentioned that an analytical chemist from London called Antony Nesbitt fed his rabbits for many weeks on oats which had been steeped in strong solutions of magenta, violet, brown and orange. The rabbits seemed to like it, and stayed white" (108).

Mostly I liked the bits of this book about the history of dyes and dying: I knew that cochineal was made from insects, for example, but had no idea that it took "about 17,000 dried insects for a single ounce of dye" (40). And I'd heard of Tyrian purple, but I loved this passage about it:

Pliny described how, during autumn and winter, the shellfish were crushed, salted for three days and then boiled for ten. The resultant colour resembled 'the sea, the air and a clear sky,' suggesting that Tyrian purple defined not one particular shade but a rich spectrum from blue to black. The dying process varied from port to port, and might have water or honey mixed in to achieve different hues. (39-40)

That's what I wanted more of: color as product/process and color as evocative, bits of shell conjuring sea and air and sky. (less)

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Feb 27, 2012 Deborah Biancotti rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fic, 19thc

An interesting story, plainly told, about a modest man (William Perkin) whose dedication to science over fame meant he never fully exploited the benefits of his discoveries. Also some passing references to the dangers of arsenic & aniline colouring techniques of the 1800s, and where the science of colour has been and come to. With some irritating quotes from the nineties, I suppose to ground the biography as contemporarily relevant.

Although my little hardcover is physically beautiful and has...more An interesting story, plainly told, about a modest man (William Perkin) whose dedication to science over fame meant he never fully exploited the benefits of his discoveries. Also some passing references to the dangers of arsenic & aniline colouring techniques of the 1800s, and where the science of colour has been and come to. With some irritating quotes from the nineties, I suppose to ground the biography as contemporarily relevant.

Although my little hardcover is physically beautiful and has some gorgeous mauve detailing, the writing within the book is quite plain. The author seems as dedicated as his subject to avoiding any kind of drama. An example (read all of it, I double-dare you):

"Perkin resumed his research into unsaturated acids until confined to bed on the morning of 11 July 1907. 'Although he complained of suffering pain he spoke hopefully of his condition,' Mendola noted, 'and anticipated being soon able to leave his room.' But it was a false note. Perkin had entered the arena of the unwell with double pneumonia and appendicitis, and these proved more serious than he or his family first realised. Near the end, Lady Perkin told her husband that they must soon be separated for a time. According to The Christian newsletter, his reply was: 'May you have much of the joy of the Lord.' An attendant told him, 'Sir William, you will soon hear the "Well done, good and faithful servant".' Perkin observed: 'The children are in Sunday School. Give them my love, and tell them always to trust Jesus.' He then let out the first verse of the hymn 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross', and when he reached the last line, 'And pour contempt on all my pride', he said, 'Proud? Who could be proud?'
Then he fell asleep. Then he woke up, and at about six o'clock in the evening on 14 July 1907, he died, aged sixty-nine. His friends agreed, in view of his activity, his death could not be regarded as premature."

Yes. Just be glad the author didn't take us through every single 'then he fell asleep, then he woke up' that probably really did happen over those 3 days in the 'arena of the unwell'. It's clear that a biography which includes such a modest man must be difficult to research, but other details - like, how it *feels* to suffer double pneumonia and appendicitis - could probably be found in medical books, and would have added to the realism and drama. And don't his friends sound awful?

In the end I felt that the author and I were after two very different kinds of details. I still don't know how Perkin felt about his achievements or whether he would have agreed with his friends, I lack vivid or grounding details on the arsenic deaths of factory workers poisoned by their work with colour. And what colour *did* replace 'mauvine' in public fashion in the mid-1860s?

It did open my eyes to a fascinating era in human technology, though. Definitely keen to find more books on 19th century science. (Suggestions, anyone?) :)(less)

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Feb 11, 2013 Marsha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, science, non-fiction, health-mind-body, clothing-fashion-dress

Science, like art, is largely perspiration with a minute amount of inspiration thrown into it. Occasionally, however, the greatest discoveries can come about through sheer luck.

However, William Perkin was more than merely a lucky amateur. Humble, soft spoken and yet gifted, talented, blessed with a curious, keen intellect and scientific know-how, Mr. Perkin set out to find a cure for malaria and stumbled across something just as wonderful—a brand new color that would end up revolutionizing the...more

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Dec 22, 2011 Ensiform rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

The story of William Perkin, a British chemist who as a teenager accidentally stumbled upon coal-tar derivative dyes --- mauve being the first. Beyond its immediate impact of creating a new industry and economy (“mauve measles” was a huge fad), the dyes were later found to have applications in cell research, medicines, explosives and plastics.

It is an intriguing story, but it’s better suited to a New Yorker article; the book itself is a bit much. Perkin wasn’t a very interesting man apart from h...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Michael Mcclelland rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The chemistry at work here is the most boring part of the book but it acts as a (mauve) thread through this historic tale covering the move of this science from a curiousity of Victorian gentleman in their private homes to an industrial-sized, commercial application. As it does so it touches on consumerism, trade, patent protection, globalisation, the British character, the fickleness of public recollection and the extraordinarily wide uses to which the discovery of a coloured compound have led...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, non-fiction-history, library_hardcopy, business-current-events-economic-hi

I have a confession to make - I work for a chemical company (not making dyes though), and used to be an engineer in a former existence, so I understood a fair amount of what this book says about chemistry. BUT, it's a great narrative of how one small moment in time, a mistake, an error, happened to completely revolutionize our lives today.

The chemical industry gets a bad wrap these days, sometimes fairly (chemical companies have done some pretty stupid/heinous things) and sometimes unfairly (tr...more I have a confession to make - I work for a chemical company (not making dyes though), and used to be an engineer in a former existence, so I understood a fair amount of what this book says about chemistry. BUT, it's a great narrative of how one small moment in time, a mistake, an error, happened to completely revolutionize our lives today.

The chemical industry gets a bad wrap these days, sometimes fairly (chemical companies have done some pretty stupid/heinous things) and sometimes unfairly (trust me, life would be COMPLETELY different and much, much more difficult and dangerous without the chemicals we all use today perfectly safely), but this book actually tells the story of how the chemical industry developed (but in a non-tedious way), and how it was driven and why, and about some of the incredibly smart men who created some pretty amazing stuff in a wide range of fields.

Incidentally, this book gives some of the best insights into the Victorian age, and what motivated great Victorians. It really lets you feel how Victorians thought they could change the world (and actually did), and how that realization came to a crashing halt with increasing German aggression. It touches on nationalism (Germany believed in it, England believed it but almost too late to save itself). It touches on women's increasing independence and their spending power (their whims for a color drove the creation of a completely new industry), and the increasing spending power of the middle and working classes, and how they sought to use their money to improve the quality of their lives through increased color.

It touches on the inception of environmental regulation (even then, you couldn't get away with killing your neighbors for long), and made me think with some cynicism of the "new" sustainability and "eco" movements. These are not new at all, but rather standing on the shoulders of those who have come before them in creating the synthetic versions of "natural" products. I think maybe the author missed that the modern chemical industry is not a matter of synthetic versus natural - there is much to be said for both, and chemical companies understand this, but this book was written a few years before the sustainability movement really took off.

Best of all though, this is a story of a very bright, curious young man, who whilst seeking a synthetic source for the treatment of malaria, which would have saved millions of lives, stumbled upon something, which, whilst appearing nothing more than frippery, actually ending up providing the chemical stepping stones to some of the most valuable substances we use today, including medicines. He was a man of great humility, great persistence (against much snobbery from his purist chemistry pals, he scaled up his laboratory error into a factory) and ultimately just a man. He is not well-remembered, but maybe he'd prefer it that way?

4 stars. Great read.(less)

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Jan 20, 2013 Jenny GB rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book details William Perkin's discovery of mauve. He comes across the color while he is working with coal tar and attempting to find some medicinal applications. He dyes a cloth that color, showed it to dyers that were enthusiastic about it, and then began to put together the means to produce the color (no easy task). The first half of the book details his life before and after the discovery as well as the changes that happened because of his work during his lifetime. The second half of the...more This book details William Perkin's discovery of mauve. He comes across the color while he is working with coal tar and attempting to find some medicinal applications. He dyes a cloth that color, showed it to dyers that were enthusiastic about it, and then began to put together the means to produce the color (no easy task). The first half of the book details his life before and after the discovery as well as the changes that happened because of his work during his lifetime. The second half of the book concerns itself with his legacy and the continued influence of dyes in the next century.

As a former chemistry minor in college, this was a wonderful read about a chemist who changed the profession forever. I like that the novel describes the science in an accessible way. Reading the description of the process to create Perkin's mauve I definitely felt I understood it with my rudimentary organic chemistry knowledge. I also like how humble Perkin's is despite his bold move to create his dye and bring it to the world. Yes, other scientists had seen colors before in their experiments, but they ignored any ideas of creative applications. Yes, many other scientists were working with coal tar and may have stumbled across the idea, too, but Perkins was the one with the drive to use his discovery and bold enough to enter the industry even though he would be scorned by his fellow scientists. I found the second half of the book harder to read than the first because it goes on a lot about the anniversary celebrations and the tributes given to Perkins. To me that just dragged out the book. I was interested again in the last chapter where Garfield started to detail some of the more recent applications of dyes in science, particularly medicine. I agree with Garfield's sad comment that most students these days know nothing of the history of their particular fields. This was a wonderful look at just some of the history of chemistry and recommended for anyone who enjoys sciences or fabrics/colors. It may be hard to get through if you don't have at least a basic understanding of some of the science behind it.(less)

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Jan 22, 2009 Vivienne rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Nerds

Recommended to Vivienne by: Dayle Furlong, who had to take History of Science in university

Shelves: non-fiction

The true legacy of Mauve is the birth of organic chemistry as a scientific discipline and the chemical/pharmaceutical industry. Overall, the book reminded me of content from the "History of Science" class which fine arts B.Sc. candidates could take as their sole science credit.

In the first part of Mauve, the author outlines the discovery of the first big-money making aniline dye by William Perkin at age 18, through difficulties shifting the dye paradigm from naturally derived to synthetic, setti...more

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Jun 19, 2010 Gale rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I was writing my review of Color: A Natural History... yesterday I realized I'd never written about this book, a favorite in recent years. It's really the most interesting book I've read about a color. I remember feeling I was in London in the mid 19th century. And, of course, it was the BEGINNING of synthetic dyes which changed fashion forever.

I'd recommend it to anyone interested in chemistry (great mistakes in the lab and in the kitchen should always be appreciated!), colors and well-wri...more

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Feb 07, 2009 Stephen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Gosh I liked this book. High school chemistry was a long time ago——back when there were only 12 known elements––and I would never have thought that a book about chemistry and a chemist could be so engaging. But it was.

And his discovery? Mauve! It’s not even a color I have an affinity, it's not in my wardrobe. Not a color I go out of my way to admire, but when I came across this book, it intrigued me.

It’s the story of William Perkin an English chemist who in 1856 was trying to create artificial...more

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Apr 20, 2013 dejah_thoris rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I have to agree with other reviewers that this book is very dry. The first few chapters describing Perkin's life and discovery are the meat of the book, which may explain why it seems to be pushing connections beyond that point. Of course, it's not the author's fault that Perkin made his break-through at 19 and sold his dye factory at 30, but he could've done better than to quote and summarize from five different celebratory dinners. Connections between science and the fashion industry were neat...more

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Jan 17, 2011 Djrmel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: z2011-read, biography, non-fiction

Interesting multipurpose nonfiction, written for the reader who wants a lot of practicality and history with their science lesson. The book is very disjointed in its lay out, with the author jamming the contemporary ramifications of Parson's work in to the middle of chapters where they don't really belong. As stated in another review, it's as if Garfield wrote the book in the order of his note-taking, rather than rearranging them into a logical or at least sensible narrative. Still, his research...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Tracy rated it 3 of 5 stars

British chemist William Perkin's life and discoveries detailed in the first half of the book were fascinating--I'd give the book 4.5 stars up to that point. Then I lost the thread of the narrative a bit and it meandered and finally petered out. Maybe the author was drawing a parallel to Perkin's life? As the book flap notes, "Perkin's discovery [synthetic dye] sparked new interest in industrial applications of chemistry research, which later brought about the development of explosives, perfume,...more

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May 09, 2011 Marilyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Story of how the English chemist William Perkin invented the color mauve while working on a cure for malaria. He was eighteen years old! The author uses this as a jumping off place to write about colors, dyes, organic chemistry, medical applications, munitions applications, literary quotes---just about anything and everything that might be related to the original discovery. Interesting, but after Napoleon's Buttons and Plastics: A Toxic Love Story, I think I'm about done with the history of orga...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Dolly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of nonfiction

Shelves: 2013, biography, english, france-french, germany, nonfiction, science, education-school

Highly technical, this story offers the life story of William Perkin and the long-term results of his accidental discovery. It was the April 2013 selection for my local book club and if it weren't for that, I'm not sure if I'd have ever read this book.

The narrative is informative and interesting, but I would caution that much of the chemistry discussed is probably best suited for those with strong chemistry backgrounds.

Overall, I found this book to offer a fascinating look at the background of...more Highly technical, this story offers the life story of William Perkin and the long-term results of his accidental discovery. It was the April 2013 selection for my local book club and if it weren't for that, I'm not sure if I'd have ever read this book.

The narrative is informative and interesting, but I would caution that much of the chemistry discussed is probably best suited for those with strong chemistry backgrounds.

Overall, I found this book to offer a fascinating look at the background of the chemical industrial revolution, when people started to believe that science could best nature. I find it completely humorous and appropriate that people in modern times are trying to find ways to become more natural.

interesting quotes:

"Perkin's discovery made sick people healthy. Coal-tar derivatives had enabled the German bacteriologist Paul Ehrlich to pioneer immunology and chemotherapy. The German scientist Robert Koch was grateful to Perkin for his discoveries of the tuberculosis and cholera bacilli. Dr. Schweitzer suggested that Perkin's work had led indirectly to groundbreaking advances in the relief of pain in those with cancer." (p. 9)

"In Glasgow in the 1820s, Charles Macintosh found a use for the coal tar, developing a method of waterproofing cloth. He used it to prepare a special solution of rubber, applied it to two pieces of coat fabric, and called it a raincoat, but other people soon began calling it a macintosh." (p. 24) (I always wondered about that.)

[by Richard Owen]"Already, natural processes can be more economically replaced by artificial ones in the formation of a few organic compounds...It is impossible to foresee the extent to which chemistry may ultimately, in the production of things needful, supercede the present vital energies of nature." (p. 57)

"The grim, resonant phrase 'Arbeit Macht Frei' [labor makes you free] appeared on posters in the Buna rubber factories of IG Farben before it appeared above the gates of the concentration camps, primarily as a disincentive from joining the trade union movement." (p. 166)

[by Professor David Phillips] "I suppose you could draw a parallel with Perkin, who was looking for a medical application and found a dye, while we were working with dyes and found a medical application." (p. 185)(less)

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Dec 24, 2012 Caroline rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: microhistories, own

A semester of grad school has happened since I finished this book (and is the primarily reason it's taken me this long to write a review). So a detailed review is not in the cards, but I do still remember my general thoughts.

I love books like this - that are hyper-specific and contain history that you would probably never hear about any other place. Who knew that mauve was such a big deal, both economically and culturally? Not me. In addition to the fascinating story of the discovery of mauve sp...more

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May 24, 2010 Trena rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Trena by: Vivienne

This is the kind of book that gives history a bad name. The format is very "so and so was born on such and such date, and then on this date he did this." No emotional content, no larger over-arching narrative, nothing compelling whatsoever (and it covered two world wars in which dye works played some non-trivial role!). It could possibly have been more boring, but I'm not sure how. For instance, it contained no fewer than five seemingly real-time accounts of nine hour celebratory banquets held i...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Wealhtheow rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, non-fiction, science

A slim but broad-reaching tale of the beginning of artifiical dyes. At the time Perkin made his discovery that coal-tar could be transformed into mauve dye, chemistry was thought of like philosophy--a gentleman's pursuit with no worldly or industrial value. Perkin's discovery and subsequent ability to make money off of it changed that perception forever. By the time he died, chemistry was a roaring industry.

The history of artificial dyes is a fascinating one. Before Perkin discovered mauve, all...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Castiron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-checkout

A very readable look at the development of aniline dye technology, the chemist responsible, and the social and scientific effects. I'd never heard of William Perkin but found his story interesting. (Science background is not necessary to appreciate the book; it's written for a lay reader,and I didn't have to remember anything from my mumble-years-ago chemistry classes.)

I'd recommend this book to anyone who does fiber crafts (sewing, embroidery, dyeing, etc.), anyone who needs to know what Panton...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Madelynp rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fun biography of an unknown scientist! I was not aware of how instrumental the development of textile dyes was to the beginning of modern chemistry and chemical engineering, but upon further thought, it makes sense that it was the coal tar industry that really jump startd the industry as we know it.

The writing in the book is good--although he's not as entertaining as authors like David Bodanis or Walter Isaacson, the style is still engaging. My one complaint with the biography was the way that G...more

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Nov 05, 2011 Richard rated it 2 of 5 stars

I very rarely leave a book partially read, but this one was a real struggle. I think that the only reason I finished it was because it was so short. I can't decide whether it's because the subject was so boring or whether it was the writing. As a guy who loves both science and history, I am surprised at my disappointment. All in all, the Wikipedia article is as much as most people should read about the beginnings of organic chemistry for-profit.

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Feb 05, 2013 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

William Perkins didn't find a cure for malaria but he did invent the first analine dye. That in itself might not seem hugely important, but it was a development that had huge effects on industry, academia, politics, photography, medecine, warfare, forensic science... and now Perkins is largely forgotten. All of this was new to me and I found it very interesting. I was also quite relieved that I didn't need to know any chemistry (beyond a few simple terms)! Definitely worth reading for an insight...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Margaret Sankey rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a surprisingly involving social history of the first synthetic dye--mauve, discovered as chemists tried to find something to do with the byproducts of coal tar. Garfield makes connections to Prince Albert, a genuinely interested patron of the sciences, 19th century chemistry and industry and then the society which adopted the odd purpley-grey as the precise color of half-mourning needed for Victorian propriety.

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Jan 22, 2011 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I think the primary thing I learned from this is that Britain had the potential to completely dominate the world in terms of industrial science but the lack of government support for research funds and patent laws (especially compared to Germany) made them an also-ran.

I read that and look at the political climate in the US for the past, what, 30 years?, and... well, the conclusion I reached should be pretty obvious to anyone who's paying attention.

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Jul 14, 2012 Vivian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: history-and-science

A very nice overview of the development of laboratory produed dyes, and how they replaced most natural dyes. A very quick read, but delightful description of laboratories and scientists - including how one scientist can be celebrated and forgotten more than once for the same discovery.
A good companion book to 'A Perfect Red' (which I read right before this) which covers natural dyes very nicely.

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Feb 18, 2012 Adam Dodd rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Started slowly (for me at least, as a non-chemist) but the latter two-thirds were interesting and engaging. For the uninitiated, it's very surprising how many chemical and biochemical discoveries have stemmed from what was, to some degree, the accidental discovery of how to synthesise mauve.

One good reason to read the book is for the amusing excerpts from letters written between Victorian gentlemen - I wish I could get away with using such absurdly pompous and flabby language on a daily basis. I...more

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Apr 28, 2009 Janis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

This well written and gripping book will change the way you look at everything around you...the invention of the colour mauve in 1856 changed the world....it led to the development of explosives, perfume, photography, modern medecine, and the plastics industry to name a few...
NY Times review says "the delight of this book is seeing parallels to present day trends"

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Aug 17, 2009 mim rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'd been wanting to read this book ever since it was published because I've been teaching a course on color (first at University and now at the VMFA studio school.) I had no idea that it would be as interesting to me as it has been. In fact, I think that if I'd read it years ago (had it been written then) I'd have taken a course in organic chemistry. I learned so much from this book! I learned that a disinfectant common when I was a child (mercurochrome) was originally a dye? Oh, that's just a t...more

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About Simon Garfield

Simon Garfield is a British journalist and non-fiction author. He was educated at the independent University College School in Hampstead, London, and the London School of Economics, where he was the Executive Editor of The Beaver.

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