Stuff Matters
Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World
About the book
The same photograph of materials scientist Mark Miodownik on the roof of his London apartment opens every chapter, with a different everyday object circled each time. Each chapter takes one of ten materials: old ones such as steel, paper, glass and porcelain, newer ones such as concrete, plastics and carbon fiber, recent inventions such as graphene and aerogels, and chocolate. He mixes the science of each with its history, from the Chinese, long the only makers of porcelain, preferring other materials to glass, to the hunt for cheap billiard balls that pushed the growth of plastics. Besides reaching the New York Times best seller list, it took the Royal Society Prize for Science Books.
Bill Gates called Miodownik a witty, smart writer with a gift for sharing his love of materials, and Patrick Collison lists it on his bookshelf page.
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 2 recommendations
Bill Gates (CEO/Microsoft)
Mark Miodownik’s personal and professional obsession, as he explains in his book Stuff Matters, is basic materials we often take for granted such as paper, glass, concrete, and steel -- as well as new super-materials that will change our world in the decades ahead. I’m pleased to report that he is a witty, smart writer who has a great talent for imparting his love of this subject. As a result, Stuff Matters is a fun, accessible read.
On Patrick Collison’s Bookshelf - Patrick Collison
Get this book on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books
See more books recommended by
See more books written by
Often recommended alongside
- Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street by John Brooks (2 shared recommenders)