Theo Gray's Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home - But Probably Shouldn't

I'm the kind of person who often takes warnings to "not try this at home" as a challenge. I like to tinker and experiment, and I have a particular fondness for demonstrations that look incredibly dangerous but are actually quite safe as long as I've taken the proper precautions. I purchased this book in the hopes of being able to proudly disregard the "...but probably shouldn't" part of the subtitle. On that point, I was largely disappointed, but the book made up for this shortcoming in other ways.The simple fact of the matter is, many (not all) of the experiments described in this book can't actually be done at home. Some are prohibitively expensive. Some are seriously dangerous (in the no kidding, "you will kill yourself if you aren't professionally trained" sort of way, not in the stereotypical "do not try this at home" sort of way). Some require ingredients that are illegal to possess without some kind of proper license. While it's true that several other experiments actually can be done at home (exactly how many cross that threshold depends largely on the reader's willingness to purchase expensive equipment), if you're buying this book hoping to find a bunch of backyard science experiments to do with your family, you will be disappointed.However, what the contents lack in practicality, they more than make up for in entertainment value. Most books of "do it at home" science experiments rehash the same old demonstrations we all learned about in middle school. This book will actually show you some that, unless you're a professional chemist, you've probably never seen before. Yes, it covers some familiar territory as well, but I was seriously impressed by how many of the experiments were new to me. Indeed, some of them even taught me some interesting new principles of chemistry beyond the particulars of the reaction in question. With that in mind, if you're looking for an entertaining and informative collection of science demonstrations without regard for their practicality, this book is just what the doctor ordered.Whichever category you find yourself in, I think you'll be impressed with the author's casual yet informative tone and often humorous commentary. Similarly, the photography almost every page is first-rate. You might not be able to do these experiments at home, but they've been beautifully rendered in images, often from high-speed cameras, that are almost as impressive as it would be to see the demonstrations in person.This was not at all the book I thought it was when I purchased it, but I found myself glad to have bought it and read it anyway. My disappointment at the impracticality of the experiments was more than compensated for by the book's other qualities.

Great photos and fun layout -- to thrill young scientists. My nephew has become interested in chemistry this year (he's in 7th grade) and has been self-teaching himself. I researched and found this book plus "The Disappearing Spoon" (about the periodic table) and have found them to be perfect gifts for him this Christmas!! (I read through parts of each book to be sure they were suitable for young readers.).Mad Science is like a coffee table / picture book of all kinds of strange and dangerous experiments ... each one spans 3-4 pages of photos, large print, hazard warnings, quirky bits of knowledge, and info on the elements involved in the experiments. No danger of a kid doing these dangerous experiments at home (where is 7th grader going to get chlorine gas, solid sodium or jet fuel??But what a way to show why chemistry is fun and interesting and a mental workout. This book is like a Ripley's Believe It or Not magazine about chemistry.

It's a great book with great content--lots of large colorful photos and a variety of labs will definitely keep you interested. However, don't get too excited! You're not going to be able to do a majority of these experiments with common household items. Most of the labs require chemicals, metals, and parts that the average family would not possess. So if you're just curious and wanna play with chemistry, this isn't the best book for you. You'll be able to admire the concepts and pictures, but you won't get to carry out the actual experiments without access to some uncommon materials (which can be ordered online of course).And this book is for those who "know what they're doing".

Your really, really shouldn't do any of these experiments at home. Nor should you allow your tweens and teens to get a hold of this book. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! Otherwise - great, informative, and interesting book. Back when Theo was published in Popular Science, I'd get the latest copy and flip straight to his article first. Glad to have all of those articles centralized in one book. Now I can get rid of those stacks of PopSci, and I'm locking the book in my safe where the stygian-underage-hellions that are my children can't get to it.

This was a perfect gift. You might not get it for yourself. Great for kids about junior high age (and their parents!) with a scientific bent, particularly chemistry. You're not going to do any of these yourself. Fun to see photos of the experiments and learn the why's.

I was very excited to receive this book after my chemistry professor recommend it. It was much larger than expected and read most in one day. The experiments are laid out very nicely but some of the items are impossible and illegal to obtain (red phosphorus) but most seemed well in reach with my minimal chemistry background. The best part was it was loaded with pictures in the demonstrations and any applicable warnings to keep your skin on your face. Great read for anyone who likes how to, technical, or do it yourself type books.

This is a beautiful, fun, inspiring, and thoroughly entertaining book, but it's also filled with experiments requiring either heavy machining equipment or substances that you need a license to buy. You could only do these experiments at home if you also have a machine shop in that home. Mr Gray probably has all the equipment in his basement, but most folks don't.For those looking for cool stuff to do with kids, the "sneaky uses for everyday things" books are a better source, if less entertaining in their own right.

My son loves reading this at 13 yo. unfortunately, im not an experienced chemist so i cant really let him try to melt metal and transform things in our house. however, he says when he is older, he will do this in a controlled environment himself. there are a couple i might be willing to try, which are not too dangerous, one of them being dry ice. Overall, a great read, but to do pretty much all of these, you need someone experienced nearby

Love this book. Truly mad. I've got a bit of a science background and love the ideas. True - you can't do most of these at home (unless you have a death wish) - but very, very interesting and entertaining. Great to share with students.

I bought this after reading his " Elements " book and it is wonderful. I feel the reviewer who gave it one star because he couldn't do any of the experiments has missed the point. You are not really expected to try most of these. During my 35 years teaching science I was dismayed as health and safety slowly banned all the best experiments. I still tried to do as many as I could as I felt they really sparked the young folks' interest in science. The shrinking of coins using 600 pounds of 12,000 volt capacitors is positively frightening. Also in the UK at least it is illegal to deface coins of the realm. No these experiments are great to read about, but for the most not to do. The one on making Silicon from sand, silicon dioxide was one of the first to be banned in school, sadly it was one of the best. A great book.

Als Chemielehrer war ich natürlich gespannt auf das neue Buch von Theo Gray ("Die Elemente"), insbesondere, da es neue und spektakuläre Experimente verspricht. Tatsächlich kannte ich nur rund ein Drittel der beschriebenen Experimente und mit wenigen Ausnahmen (Bleistift selber machen, Magnetit am Strand aufsammeln) sind die anderen auch recht spektakulär.Nun nachmachen wird man die meisten kaum können. Zum anderen sind sie z.T. extrem aufwendig. Ich würde es mir nicht unbedingt zutrauen einen Fallturm für flüssiges Blei zu bauen oder den Grill mit einem Staubsauger zu verbinden, um Sand zu Glas schmelzen zu können. Zum anderen sind viele der benötigten Materialien sehr schwer (oder gar nicht) zu bekommen und/oder sehr teuer. Z.B. Indium wird für den auflösenden Löffel benötigt, und das kostet 100 Euro und mehr. Schweres Wasser bekommt man hierzulande (anders als anscheinend in den USA) als Privatperson auch nicht (zumindest wüsste ich nicht wie).Tatsächlich anwenden kann ich vielleicht so um die 3-4 Experimente von der Warte aus gibt es bessere Bücher. Aber enttäuscht bin ich dennoch nicht: Die Fotos sind wirklich toll und Gray hat eine sehr flotte Schreibe. Insofern war das Buch durchaus unterhaltsam und auch sein Geld wert. Für mich jedenfalls.Bucheindrücke gibt es übrigens auf graysci.com

Great book- really! But I have to give it 2 stars because the day it came it arrived the binding broke as soon as I cracked it open (the outside cover just popped off from the rest of the book) and than, to top it off, almost immediately the pages just started out of the stocked inner binding. So yes, great book, all over my table! Terrible cheap binding. Too bad, Theodore Grey deserves SO much better!