Energy: A Beginner's Guide

Description

With his famous equation, E=mc2, Einstein showed us that all matter can be described as energy. It is everywhere; it is everything. In this engaging introduction, renowned author and scientist Vaclav Smil covers a wide range of topics, from the inner workings of the human body to the race for more efficient and eco-friendly fuels. Shedding light on the science behind global warming and efforts to prevent it, and how our daily decisions affect energy consumption, this book highlights the importance of energy in both past and present societies. Whether you're after insight or dinner table conversation, Energy: A Beginner's Guide will amaze and inform, uncovering the science behind one of the most important concepts in our universe.

Author Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, Canada. He has written more than 30 books and been a keynote speaker at both the World Economic Forum and the Global Roundtable on Climate Change. In 2010 he was named by Foreign Policy as one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers.

'There is no author whose books I look forward to more than Vaclav Smil' -- Bill Gates 'This book is about physical rather than social sciences. It explores important topics around how energy works, how our production and use might evolve, and how this affects climate change.' -- Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook 'A breath of fresh air and a gem in the bookshop. Rich in thoughtful insights and written in sparkling prose.' -- Professor David G. Victor - School of Global Policy and Strategy, UC San Diego