"Well-conceived,well-done popular science."
—Booklist

"The authors unearth a wealth of anecdotes from all parts of the world and use them effectively to illustrate the technological underpinnings of modern society. Thoughtful, often surprising, smoothly written."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Entertaining accounts of how various objects' chemical properties might have changed history."
—Library Journal
"What does the fiery compound C17H19O3N have to do with the discovery of North America? Plenty, according to this remarkable collection of scientific sleuthings. The book's cases — especially the chapter blaming Napoleon's disastrous Russian campaign on the eponymous tin fasteners that failed to hold French uniforms together — unfold like CSI meets the History Channel. A splendid example of better reading through chemistry.  B+"
—Entertainment Weekly

"This book is both original and fascinating; I was quickly absorbed by this refreshing mix of science and history; I learned a lot of both and read this book quite quickly for a science book."

—The Literary Flaneur