Liquid: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives

Shortlisted for The Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2018

'Miodownik packs this delightful book with so much 'well, I never knew that' information. Not only does he know his stuff but, just as importantly, he knows how to tell a good story. A truly delightful read' - Jim Al-Khalili, author of Paradox

A series of glasses of transparent liquids is in front of you: but which will quench your thirst and which will kill you? And why? Why does one make us drunk, and another power a jumbo jet?

The fascinating new book by the bestselling scientist and engineer Mark Miodownik - the best-selling, prize-winning author of Stuff Matters - Liquid is an expert tour of the world of the droplets, heartbeats and ocean waves that we come across every day.

Structured around a plane journey which sees encounters with substances from water and glue to coffee and wine, he shows how these liquids can bring death and destruction as well as wonder and fascination. From Laszlo Biro's revolutionary pen and Abraham Gesner's kerosene to cutting-edge research on self-repairing roads and liquid computers, Miodownik uses his winning formula of scientific storytelling to bring the everyday to life.

He reveals why liquids can flow up a tree but down a hill, why oil is sticky, how waves can travel so far, and how to make the perfect cup of tea. Here are the secret lives of substances that we rely on but rarely understand.