Description:
In addition to explaining the chemistry in rare earth metals, Rare delves into the economic and geopolitical issues surrounding these "conflict minerals."
Review Quotes: ""Engaging, eclectic.... Veronese's analyses of the various factors affecting supply of these metals adds up to a good overview.... Rare makes powerful points about the consequences of conspicuous consumption."-Nature "The underlying science is accessible and is deftly combined with comments on the often-overlooked societal implications of the planet's chemical make-up. Viewed as a kind of 'essential guide' to crucial elements, Rare outlines their increasing geopolitical importance in the modern world."-BBC Focus Magazine"Delves into history, mineral science, politics, and numerous other fields with impressive ease.... Rare is precisely that: a rarity, a book loaded with information that never bores or talks down to the reader. And this book will only grow more relevant in the coming years."-San Francisco Book Review"A fascinating and easy-to-follow guide to an obscure but hugely important subject, one that will be in the headlines every day once our grandchildren are adults; and for anyone who is curious about what makes the teeny-tiny devices of our modern world work as well as they do, this is well worth picking up."-Chicago Center for Literature and Photography"Rare is a clear and entertaining account of the fascinating properties of rare earths, their importance to the world, and the unique roles only they can play in many high-tech devices."-Theodore Gray, author of The Elements: A Visual Exploration and Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything