The Element in the Room

‘Made me go Hydrogen Argon, Hydrogen Argon, Hydrogen Argon.’ Rufus Hound

As featured in Best stocking-filler books of 2017 – The Guardian

‘Witty and clever writing, every topic is engaging, fun and in some cases laugh-out-loud funny…there are too many highlights to mention’ – How it Works

• Why is it impossible to spin your right foot clockwise while you draw a 6 with your right hand?


• Can you extract DNA from a strawberry daiquiri?


• Would you make love like a praying mantis?


• Should you book a holiday on Earth 2.0?

The Element in the Room will take you on a rib-tickling, experiment-fuelled adventure to explain everyday science that is staring you in the face. If you are sci-curious, pi-curious or just the-end-is-nigh-curious then this is the book for you.

Steve Mould and Helen Arney are two thirds of science comedy phenomenon Festival of the Spoken Nerd. As a trio they have appeared on QI, created their own experimental* comedy show ‘Domestic Science’ for Radio 4, toured their stand-up science shows to over 50,000 nerds (and non-nerds) and accumulated millions of views on YouTube.

‘These nerds are the real deal’ – Ben Goldacre, author of BAD SCIENCE

‘They make science fun and understandable which is a great combo.’ Sandi Toksvig

‘MIND BLOWN.’ Tim Harford

‘Science was never such hilarious explosive fun.’ Richard Herring

‘This book is 37% better than mine. But it took 100% more nerds to write it.’ Matt Parker (the other third of Spoken Nerd)