Energy cover art

Energy

A Human History

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Energy

By: Richard Rhodes
Narrated by: Jacques Roy
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About this listen

 A “meticulously researched” (The New York Times Book Review) examination of energy transitions over time and an exploration of the current challenges presented by global warming, a surging world population, and renewable energy—from Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author Richard Rhodes.

People have lived and died, businesses have prospered and failed, and nations have risen to world power and declined, all over energy challenges. Through an unforgettable cast of characters, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Rhodes explains how wood gave way to coal and coal made room for oil, as we now turn to natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable energy. “Entertaining and informative…a powerful look at the importance of science” (NPR.org), Rhodes looks back on five centuries of progress, through such influential figures as Queen Elizabeth I, King James I, Benjamin Franklin, Herman Melville, John D. Rockefeller, and Henry Ford.

In his “magisterial history…a tour de force of popular science” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), Rhodes shows how breakthroughs in energy production occurred; from animal and waterpower to the steam engine, from internal-combustion to the electric motor. He looks at the current energy landscape, with a focus on how wind energy is competing for dominance with cast supplies of coal and natural gas. He also addresses the specter of global warming, and a population hurtling towards ten billion by 2100.

Human beings have confronted the problem of how to draw energy from raw material since the beginning of time. Each invention, each discovery, each adaptation brought further challenges, and through such transformations, we arrived at where we are today. “A beautifully written, often inspiring saga of ingenuity and progress…Energy brings facts, context, and clarity to a key, often contentious subject” (Booklist, starred review). Civilization Engineering History History & Culture World Technology Capitalism Energy History

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All stars
Most relevant
the book portrays an excellent picture of how the search for solutions to various problems weave into technological innovation and the improvement of societies!
I think the reader is able to imitate any accent imaginable :)

Definitely a must for one's world understanding

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An exploration of the affects on human life of the different energy sources throughout history along with the many factors that have affected energy transitions. False starts, stumbles, large arrays of technologies vying for dominance at the same time. Transitions have been reassuringly uncertain, the different factions showing up today as they always have.

Surprisingly fresh take on the history of energy

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Sir, please refrain from accents in the future. Apart from that, good narrator.
Very informative. I'd have loved to hear a little more about renewable energy at the end and a bit less about the minute details of e.g. the discovery of electricity.

Good, but accents were distractingly bad.

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The accents of the narrator are good but annoying. Brook excellent on fascinating topic. Please write another!.

Al Brech

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I have listened to Richard's previous books and always enjoyed them. This was also enjoyable, strayed off topic sometimes. Great narration

Interesting topics, very well narrated

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