About the book
Vaclav Smil traces how energy has shaped human society, from foraging groups before agriculture to today's civilization built on fossil fuels. He makes the point that every action requires energy, and that life on Earth rests on photosynthesis turning sunlight into plant biomass. Humans alone systematically harness energy beyond their own bodies, through tools ranging from simple implements to combustion engines and nuclear reactors. Smil follows the shift to fossil fuels through its effects on farming, industry, transport, weapons, cities, politics and the environment. The MIT Press published the 2017 book as a much expanded revision of his Energy in World History (1994), adding new material from two decades of energy research.
Bill Gates, who counts Smil among his favorite authors, admitted it is not the easiest read but said it leaves readers better informed about how energy innovation changes the course of civilizations.
We hope you love the books people recommend! Just so you know, The CEO Library may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
This book has 1 recommendation
Bill Gates (CEO/Microsoft)
Smil is one of my favorite authors, and this is his masterpiece. 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.
Get this book on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books