Sam Kean
AUTHOR

Sam Kean

Science & Engineering | Biographies & Memoirs | History
Official bio: Sam Kean spent years collecting mercury from broken thermometers as a kid, and now he's a writer in Washington, D.C. His new book is The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons. His first two books, The Disappearing Spoon and The Violinist's Thumb were national bestsellers, and both were named an Amazon "Top 5" science books of the year. The Disappearing Spoon was nominated by the Royal Society for one of the top science books of 2010, while The Violinist's Thumb was a finalist for PEN's literary science writing award. His work has also been featured on "Radiolab" and NPR's "All Things Considered," among other shows. You can follow him via Twitter @sam_kean, and read excerpts at http://www.samkean.com. (un)Official bio: Sam Kean gets called Sean at least once a month. He grew up in South Dakota, which means more to him than it probably should. He's a fast reader but a very slow eater. He went to college in Minnesota and studied physics and English. At night, he sometimes comes down with something called "sleep paralysis," which is the opposite of sleepwalking. Right now, he lives in Washington, D.C., where he earned a master's degree in library science that he will probably never use. He feels very strongly that open-faced sandwiches are superior to regular ones.
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Best Sellers

  • The Violinist's Thumb Audiobook By Sam Kean cover art

    • The Violinist's Thumb

    • And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code
    • By: Sam Kean
    • Narrated by: Henry Leyva
    • Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
    • Release date: 07-17-12
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 925 ratings

    Regular price: $28.50

    Sale price: $28.50 or 1 credit

    Free with 30-day trial
  • The Icepick Surgeon Audiobook By Sam Kean cover art

    • The Icepick Surgeon

    • Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science
    • By: Sam Kean
    • Narrated by: Ben Sullivan
    • Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
    • Release date: 07-13-21
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 414 ratings

    Regular price: $29.65

    Sale price: $29.65 or 1 credit

    Free with 30-day trial
  • Unlocking the Hidden History of DNA Audiobook By Sam Kean, The Great Courses cover art

    Regular price: $14.95

    Sale price: $14.95 or 1 credit

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  • The Disappearing Spoon Audiobook By Sam Kean cover art

    • The Disappearing Spoon

    • And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements
    • By: Sam Kean
    • Narrated by: Sean Runnette
    • Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins
    • Release date: 08-18-10
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 5,688 ratings

    Regular price: $29.95

    Sale price: $29.95 or 1 credit

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  • The Bastard Brigade Audiobook By Sam Kean cover art

    • The Bastard Brigade

    • The True Story of the Renegade Scientists and Spies Who Sabotaged the Nazi Atomic Bomb
    • By: Sam Kean
    • Narrated by: Ben Sullivan
    • Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins
    • Release date: 07-09-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 599 ratings

    Regular price: $29.65

    Sale price: $29.65 or 1 credit

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  • The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons Audiobook By Sam Kean cover art

    Regular price: $30.79

    Sale price: $30.79 or 1 credit

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  • Caesar's Last Breath Audiobook By Sam Kean cover art

    • Caesar's Last Breath

    • Decoding the Secrets of the Air Around Us
    • By: Sam Kean
    • Narrated by: Ben Sullivan
    • Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
    • Release date: 07-18-17
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,465 ratings

    Regular price: $29.65

    Sale price: $29.65 or 1 credit

    Free with 30-day trial
  • The Disappearing Spoon: Young Listeners Edition Audiobook By Sam Kean cover art

    Regular price: $26.22

    Sale price: $26.22 or 1 credit

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