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Speed - by  Vaclav Smil (Paperback) - 1 of 1

Speed - by Vaclav Smil (Paperback)

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About this item

Highlights

  • A data-driven, scientific account of our need for speed--exploring a wide range of topics including evolution, transportation, and technology In a world obsessed with efficiency, perhaps nothing is valued as highly as being fast.
  • About the Author: Vaclav Smil is distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba.
  • 368 Pages
  • Science, Philosophy & Social Aspects

Description



Book Synopsis



A data-driven, scientific account of our need for speed--exploring a wide range of topics including evolution, transportation, and technology

In a world obsessed with efficiency, perhaps nothing is valued as highly as being fast. Some of our greatest achievements include building planes that break the sound barrier and creating computers that process data at the touch of a button. With signature clarity, Smil offers accessible explanations of every major speed category, from wind erosion to hunting cheetahs, from Boeing 747s to America's war time industrial mobilization to the speed of global energy decarbonization.

But as Smil argues in this paradigm-shifting book, speed isn't just a metric to optimize. In Speed, Smil expands on our traditional, human-centric understanding of speed to explore phenomena of space and time, evolution, and human achievement. What was the speed of planet formation? Of the development of different life forms? What happened in the collision of humans and the limits of natural speed, and what has emerged from our incessant desire to push those boundaries?

Lauded for his"compelling, fascinating, realistic" (Steven Pinker) portraits of the modern world, Smil knows that we can't, won't, and shouldn't abandon our collective need for speed. But as good devotees of speed's eminence, we must understand it, its value, and its cost. Rich in historical and contemporary data, the latest work by Smil is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary guidebook for science readers living in the fast lane.



Review Quotes




"An intriguing account of the role of speed in evolution and human civilization . . . Packed with accessible analogies and nuanced analyses, this is a well-rounded, interdisciplinary view of efficiency."
--Publishers Weekly



About the Author



Vaclav Smil is distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba. He is the author of How to Feed the World, Numbers Don't Lie, Size, and the New York Times bestselling How the World Really Works, as well as over forty books on topics including energy, environmental and population change, food production and nutrition, technical innovation, risk assessment, and public policy. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Order of Canada.
Dimensions (Overall): 8.25 Inches (H) x 5.55 Inches (W) x .81 Inches (D)
Weight: .64 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 368
Genre: Science
Sub-Genre: Philosophy & Social Aspects
Publisher: Penguin Books
Format: Paperback
Author: Vaclav Smil
Language: English
Street Date: June 2, 2026
TCIN: 1005927825
UPC: 9780593834541
Item Number (DPCI): 247-49-4990
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.81 inches length x 5.55 inches width x 8.25 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.64 pounds
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Q: What type of writing style does Vaclav Smil use?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
  • A: Smil employs a clear and accessible writing style, making complex topics understandable for readers.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
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Q: What is the significance of speed in human civilization according to the book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
  • A: The book argues that speed is a crucial metric that influences efficiency, evolution, and technological advancements.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: Who is the author of this book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
  • A: The author is Vaclav Smil, a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What is the primary focus of the book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
  • A: The primary focus is on our societal obsession with speed and its implications across various fields.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What topics does the book explore regarding speed?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
  • A: The book covers evolution, transportation, technology, and the broader implications of speed in human achievement.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 6 days ago
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