There is no author whose books I look forward to more Bill GatesThere is perhaps no other academic who paints pictures with numbers like Smil GuardianExplore how speed influences every aspect of life on Earth, from the slow grind of geological processes and the fleeting lifespans of organisms to the astonishing speed of light and the remarkable adaptations of creatures like the swift antelope and the soaring albatross. In this ambitious and wideranging ideas book, internationally bestselling author Vaclav Smil uncovers the intricate connections between speed, nature, and human innovation.With counterintuitive insights, such as how erosion actually accelerates mountain growth, Smil challenges longheld myths. For example, Smil debunks the notion that our modern lives are accelerating at an unprecedented pace the rapid adoption of mobile phones from 0% in 1983 to 90% in 2002 (19 years) is like the spread of earlier technologies such as radio (22 years), colour television (24 years) and even microwave ovens (17 years).In SPEED, Smil combines his trademark compelling statistics with insightful analysis to take readers on a captivating journey through the vast timescales of Earths history and the complexities of modern life. He explains how we measure speed and reveals the theoretical limits that shape our societies, offering a thoughtprovoking exploration of the forces that define our world. This eyeopening book encourages readers to see speeds vital role in everything around us.

Binding: Paperback;352 pages; Publisher: TBS-Penguin Random House Wholesale; Classification: GT; Weight: 568 g; Dimensions: 233 x 155 x 31

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