The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another

The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another is a 2020 popular science book by Ainissa Ramirez. A materials scientist and science communicator, Ramirez holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. The book’s title refers to the two-way relationship between materials and humans. Using eight inventions as case studies, Ramirez demonstrates how innovations in materials impacted society. Ramirez writes in simple, engaging prose, making challenging topics accessible to a wide range of readers.

The book received the AAAS/Subaru SBF Prize in 2021 for Young Adult Science Book and captured the Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Gold Medal in 2020 for Adult Non-Fiction. In addition, the book was named one of Smithsonian Magazine's Ten Best Science Books of 2020 and was a finalist for the 41st Los Angeles Times Book Awards, Science and Technology category.

This guide refers to the 2020 edition published by MIT Press.

Summary

The Alchemy of Us comprises an introduction, eight chapters, and an epilogue. The introduction describes Ramirez’s childhood interest in the sciences and her science coursework in college—much of which she found dry and disappointing. A professor’s explanation of how atoms interact to impact all aspects of the world reignited Ramirez’s interest in the sciences and led her to pursue a career as a materials scientist.