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Material World
- A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future
- Narrated by: Ed Conway
- Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium. They built our world, and they will transform our future.
These are the six most crucial substances in human history. They took us from the Dark Ages to the present day. They power our computers and phones, build our homes and offices, and create life-saving medicines. But most of us take them completely for granted.
In Material World, Ed Conway travels the globe - from the sweltering depths of the deepest mine in Europe, to spotless silicon chip factories in Taiwan, to the eerie green pools where lithium originates - to uncover a secret world we rarely see. Revealing the true marvel of these substances, he follows the mind-boggling journeys, miraculous processes and little-known companies that turn the raw materials we all need into products of astonishing complexity.
As we wrestle with climate change, energy crises and the threat of new global conflict, Conway shows why these substances matter more than ever before, and how the hidden battle to control them will shape our geopolitical future. This is the story of civilisation - our ambitions and glory, innovations and appetites - from a new perspective: literally from the ground up.
Critic Reviews
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- Ryan Faulkner-Hogg
- 27-06-2023
Curious Worldview Approved!
Such a brilliant book so interesting and so well read.
The world of materials is superbly interesting.
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- Daniel M.
- 14-02-2024
Very important topic
Very important topic, relevant to my work. It was interesting to learn about the stories of these materials. I wish there was a pdf file accompanying the audiobook with numbers and graphs of all of these materials, like tons per year, distribution around the world, maps with the materials journeys, etc.
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- Anonymous User
- 07-02-2024
learn stuff.
there is so much information and history
in this book. Ed Conway has done an amazing job.
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- Frank Webb
- 31-03-2024
Material World: A Lens on Our Past and a Magnifying Glass on Our Future
Ed Conway's 'Material World' is a triumph in the realm of economic history, masterfully illustrating the evolution of society through six pivotal materials. Excellently researched and compellingly written, the book not only educates but also engages, making the complex interplay of economics and materials accessible and intriguing. It does not shy away from the daunting realities we face, particularly in the realm of global warming. Conway's narrative is a poignant reminder of the significant, yet arduous, path humanity must embark upon to ensure a sustainable future. A confronting yet vital read, 'Material World' puts the monumental task ahead into stark perspective, urging society to reflect on its past actions and future responsibilities.
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- Noel
- 14-11-2023
Thought provoking and fascinating.
Huge amount of information and very well put together, clarified many of my preconceived beliefs.
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- Helen Carter
- 16-12-2023
Understand more
Through stories of people doing, creating stuff, I got to understand the world so much better. Thanks Ed
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- John
- 21-01-2024
Essential read
Everybody should read this and it should be compulsory reading in school. Vital for us to know how our world operates.
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