Philip Ball is a distinguished English author known for his extensive body of work, which comprises books, articles, and radio shows. With an exceptional ability to produce content, Ball is humorously said to utilize “gnomes” to aid in the creation of his writings, as noted in a lighthearted piece by the Renaissance Mathematicus.
In recent times, these figurative gnomes have concentrated on crafting visually appealing history of science coffee table books, intended to be both beautiful and accessible to those not specialized in the subject. These publications offer an engaging look into the history of science, making them perfect presents for science lovers or newcomers.
The initial volume in this collection, “The Elements: A Visual History of Their Discovery” (Thames & Hudson, 2021), explores the narrative of the elements from ancient times to contemporary chemistry, detailing each element’s discovery. Despite a significant gap—the absence of mercury’s discovery—the book continues to be favored by readers for its enlightening material and stunning illustrations.
Subsequently, in 2023, Ball published “Beautiful Experiments: An Illustrated History of Experimental Science” (University of Chicago Press). This work navigates the expansive realm of experimental science by highlighting pivotal experiments throughout history. By melding thematic chapters with sections that discuss philosophical inquiries about experimentation, the book provides a thorough insight into the importance of experiments.
In 2025, Ball’s “gnomes” produced “Alchemy: An Illustrated History of Elixirs, Experiments, and the Birth of Modern Science” (Yale University Press). Celebrated for its striking illustrations, the volume reinterprets the frequently misconstrued story of alchemy. It follows alchemical practices across various cultures and eras, examining its evolution into modern chemistry and dispelling fallacies that previously relegated alchemy to mere superstition.
Each title in this series is beautifully crafted with useful indexes and reading lists, making them both pleasurable to read and informative. They offer exceptional value at fair prices, showcasing Philip Ball’s commitment to making the history of science both accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.