The Grid

Cultural anthropologist Gretchen Bakke examines the American electrical grid, a great engineering success of the last century that has aged badly and now stands in the way of cleaner energy. The system grew up when monopoly, centralization and standardization meant strength, and wind and solar power, which come and go, strain both its parts and its logic. Bakke treats the grid as an accident of history and culture and a distinctly American artifact, shaped by bold expansion, the odd reckless plan, clever technology and constant improvisation. Much of the book follows how Americans are changing the grid now, sometimes with grit and big dreams and sometimes through legislation or by brandishing guns.

Bill Gates said it belongs to one of his favourite genres: books about everyday things that turn out to be fascinating.