Energy

A beginner's guide

This book might be part of the Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications) series.

As Einstein pointed out in his famous equation, E=MC2, all matter can be described as energy. It is everywhere; it is everything. In this engaging book, prolific author and academic Vaclav Smil provides an introduction to the far-reaching term and gives the reader a greater understanding of energy's place in both past and present society. Starting with an explanation of the concept, he goes on to cover such exciting topics as the inner workings of the human body, and the race for more efficient and environmentally friendly fuels. With global …

Paperback, 192 pages

English language

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ISBN:
978-1-85168-452-6
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Reviews

reviewed Energy by Vaclav Smil (Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications))

Makes you understand how energy dominates human society

Lots of numbers, facts, figures, and explanation about energy; how it dominates our climate, our societies, and our history.

This is one of those books that makes you realize why the world works the way it does, instead of how. Why are traditional diets full of starches? Because starch-heavy crops are the most efficient way to convert solar energy into digestible food.

Even though my copy was revised in 2015, there are some anachronisms in the text. A reference to "Zaïre" rather than Congo. The chapter about lighting talks exclusively about CFLs, treating LED lighting as a future development.

Worth it. I'll probably read other books by him.