Energy and civilization : a history
(Book)
Uniform Title
Author
Published
Cambridge, Massachusetts : The MIT Press, [2017].
ISBN
0262536161, 9780262536165
Physical Desc
vii, 552 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Status
Adult Nonfiction (3rd floor)
NF 333.7909 SMIL 2017
1 available
NF 333.7909 SMIL 2017
1 available
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Copies
Location | Call Number | Status |
---|---|---|
Adult Nonfiction (3rd floor) | NF 333.7909 SMIL 2017 | On Shelf |
More Details
Published
Cambridge, Massachusetts : The MIT Press, [2017].
Format
Book
Language
English
ISBN
0262536161, 9780262536165
Notes
General Note
Revised edition of: Energy in world history / Vaclav Smil. 1994.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 463-530) and index.
Description
Energy is the only universal currency; it is necessary for getting anything done. The conversion of energy on Earth ranges from terra-forming forces of plate tectonics to cumulative erosive effects of raindrops. Life on Earth depends on the photosynthetic conversion of solar energy into plant biomass. Humans have come to rely on many more energy flows -- ranging from fossil fuels to photovoltaic generation of electricity -- for their civilized existence. In this monumental history, Vaclav Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel--driven civilization. Humans are the only species that can systematically harness energies outside their bodies, using the power of their intellect and an enormous variety of artifacts -- from the simplest tools to internal combustion engines and nuclear reactors. The epochal transition to fossil fuels affected everything: agriculture, industry, transportation, weapons, communication, economics, urbanization, quality of life, politics, and the environment. Smil describes humanity's energy eras in panoramic and interdisciplinary fashion, offering readers a magisterial overview. This book is an extensively updated and expanded version of Smil's Energy in World History (1994). Smil has incorporated an enormous amount of new material, reflecting the dramatic developments in energy studies over the last two decades and his own research over that time.--,Publisher.
Action
cc,2020-02-11,JV
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Citations
APA Citation, 7th Edition (style guide)
Smil, V. (2017). Energy and civilization: a history . The MIT Press.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)Smil, Vaclav. 2017. Energy and Civilization: A History. The MIT Press.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities (Notes and Bibliography) Citation, 17th Edition (style guide)Smil, Vaclav. Energy and Civilization: A History The MIT Press, 2017.
MLA Citation, 9th Edition (style guide)Smil, Vaclav. Energy and Civilization: A History The MIT Press, 2017.
Note! Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy. Citation formats are based on standards as of August 2021.