Combining true stories from the worlds of history, science, and politics, describes how the use of seven elements--iron, carbon, gold, silver, uranium, titanium, and silicon--has changed the world for both the better and worse

"Seven elements have stood out as having most powerfully changed the course of human history . [and] have shaped the vast complexities of our social, economic and cultural existence. These seven elements hold a grip on our emotions--and our history--like no others"--Preface.