A Fake Morning

From the Freedom album a track by Rebecca Ferguson called Fake Smile. A gentle soul number for the morning tune.

Enjoy.

Book 77 - Primo Levi "The Periodic Table"

Primo Levi "The Periodic Table" (Everyman Library Classics)




Primo Levi's Perdiodic Table is closer to being an autobiography than anything else, with each chapter being an interesting and self standing story of events that he experienced (with the exception of two chapters that are works of fiction which he wrote).

Levi was a Jewish Italian chemist, before, after, and during the second world war. Though he wasn't famous as a chemist, and mainly worked in industry, he has published various books, and for these he is well known. As someone with biochemical research experience, I really got into this book and enjoyed the stories very much. The science contained in them isn't overly technical, but does add a lot to the interest in the stories. Several of them, for example, rely on the tension of the outcome of a chemical problem he has to solve, and the consequences of his doing so or not.

As did many Jews at that time, Levi experienced the unpleasantness of the Nazis, and several of the chapters take place during the war years. His experience in Auschwitz itself is not detailed here, but is recounted in another of his works which was published before this.

There is much here that will appeal to the non-scientist too, as this is also a great illustration of human nature, of philosophical appreciation of life and nature.

It's a really quite startling read in some respects, yet it is told from the comfort and security of old age such that you experience it at a distance. A really worthy book.

Birthday Greetings

Happy birthday to roxymissrose today May you have a great day.