What people recommend, in their own words, with the receipt.
Founder and president of the Roots of Progress Institute; writes the history and philosophy of progress
6 things
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has DeclinedBook Steven Pinker
My top book of 2017 was The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, by Steven Pinker. It's the story of how and why the world has gotten safer and more peaceful, from tribal societies to today.
Year-end 'Twelve books from 2017' post ranking the books he read that year
blog.rootsofprogress.org ↗·2017-12-31
The Alchemy of AirBook Thomas Hager
A close runner-up is The Alchemy of Air, by Thomas Hager. It's the story of the Haber-Bosch process for creating synthetic ammonia, which is crucial for producing the fertilizer needed to feed the seven billion or so people on Earth today.
Year-end 'Twelve books from 2017' post ranking the books he read that year
blog.rootsofprogress.org ↗·2017-12-31
The Most Powerful Idea in the World: A Story of Steam, Industry, and InventionBook William Rosen
I also enjoyed The Most Powerful Idea in the World: A Story of Steam, Industry, and Invention, by Willam Rosen. It's the story of the steam engine, but also covers the origins of patent law.
Year-end 'Twelve books from 2017' post ranking the books he read that year
blog.rootsofprogress.org ↗·2017-12-31
The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a CataclysmBook Lewis Dartnell
I also read The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm, by Lewis Dartnell. I have no interest in apocalyptic scenarios, but this book is a good survey of the key technologies of industrial civilization.
Year-end 'Twelve books from 2017' post ranking the books he read that year
blog.rootsofprogress.org ↗·2017-12-31
A Culture of Growth: The Origins of the Modern EconomyBook Joel Mokyr
The book that in a way started this project was A Culture of Growth: The Origins of the Modern Economy, by Joel Mokyr.
Year-end 'Twelve books from 2017' post ranking the books he read that year
blog.rootsofprogress.org ↗·2017-12-31
Making the Modern World: Materials and DematerializationBook Vaclav Smil
For a survey, I read Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization, by Vaclav Smil (or the first few chapters of it, which were the ones relevant to me).
Year-end 'Twelve books from 2017' post ranking the books he read that year
blog.rootsofprogress.org ↗·2017-12-31
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