Napoleon's Buttons

Name: Napoleon's Buttons
Price: 1.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (997 reviews)
Author: Penny Le Couteur

by Penny Le Couteur

Nonfiction

4.5 (997)

4.5 stars from 997 reviews. Top 90% of Nonfiction books we track.

384 pages~6.4 hr readPublished by Jeremy P TarcherPublished 2003-01-01

$1.99Deal87% off peak

Last checked: Jul 9, 2026

Price history: $4.99 – $14.99

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Price range: $4.99 – $14.99

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Perfect for you if...

You're fascinated by how small scientific breakthroughs cascade into massive historical consequences.
You enjoy pop science that makes chemistry accessible without dumbing it down.
You like understanding the 'why' behind historical events rather than just the dates and names.

Maybe not for you if...

You prefer narrative history with characters and drama rather than thematic exploration of ideas.
You're allergic to any chemistry, even when explained in plain English.
You're looking for a comprehensive history book; this is more about surprising connections than complete coverage.

About this book

Napoleon's Buttons examines seventeen groups of molecules that have significantly shaped the course of history. These molecules drove early exploration and enabled voyages of discovery. They led to major engineering achievements, advances in medicine and law, and influenced what people eat, drink, and wear. Small changes in atomic structure can produce substantial shifts in a substance's properties, which in turn can trigger major historical consequences. The book presents these connections through detailed narrative and specific examples, offering a perspective on how chemistry has influenced the development of civilization and the modern world.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$4.99 – $14.99

Currently on sale at $1.99 — 87% off peak. Price has dropped 15 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 147 days. Typically stays discounted for 18 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #13K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.5★ from 997 reviews

Gaining approximately 4 new reviews per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.5 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $1.99. It typically returns to around $14.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.