Energy And Civilization
#1671 of 2,654 all-time
Energy And Civilization
Vaclav Smil
4 people recommended it in 4 threads, 2017–2022.
What people on Hacker News said
Really dense and detailed examination of energy history of mankind for the former, and infrastructure of technological civilization for the latter.
He lays out how our need for energy has shaped human history—from the era of donkey-powered mills to today’s quest for renewable energy. It’s not the easiest book to read, but at the end you’ll feel smarter and better informed about how energy innovation alters the course of civilizations.
May be a bit dense sometimes in raw data but overall provides an awesome overview of how humanity has used and continues to use energy, from a historical, economical and physical perspective.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2022 and recommend for 2023 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are the best unknown books you have read? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Books I read this year 2017 · 1 recommendation