John Dalton and the Development of Atomic Theory

Gr 9 Up—Dalton, an unassuming British teacher who devoted his life to his students and his experimental work in the late-18th- and early-19th centuries, is known as the father of atomic theory. Baxter begins with her subject's education at Quaker schools and his early inclination to observe and document the natural world and devise experiments to help him understand it more fully. The book focuses on his work as a teacher and his scientific efforts, in which he made significant contributions to meteorology and the understanding of colorblindness, an interest piqued by his own inability to see colors. The author describes how Dalton's meteorological observations led to experiments with atmospheric gases and the nature of the elements and his eventual publication of his theory of the atom as the smallest unit of each element. She is admiring of her subject's dedication and humility and his largely self-taught and -financed experimentation and work. Average-quality photos, reproductions, and explanatory illustrations supplement the text. Dalton and his work are worthy subjects, but the subject matter is difficult, and the text is often filled with scientific jargon. The reading level is high, some of the more advanced scientific concepts are not adequately illustrated, and the author assumes reader familiarity with British currency, history, and geography. Given those weaknesses, this title should be considered as a supplementary choice for secondary readers who possess a basic understanding of chemistry and need report material on Dalton or his revolutionary work.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Public Schools, MO