3 Books That Explain the Materials Powering Our World

Understanding the materials that power our world is essential in grasping the forces that drive modern civilization

Tenedos
3 min readAug 14, 2024

Here are three insightful books that delve into the critical materials shaping our planet and future.

Photo by MiningWatch Portugal on Unsplash

1. Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization

Author: Ed Conway, Genre: Nonfiction, History, Science, Publication Date: 2023

Material World explores six fundamental materials — sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium — revealing how these raw materials have influenced the rise and fall of empires, driven technological innovations, and continue to dictate geopolitical strategies. Ed Conway takes readers on a global journey, from the depths of the world’s largest mines to the cutting-edge labs where tomorrow’s materials are being developed.

This book provides a comprehensive look at how these seemingly mundane materials are the building blocks of modern civilization. It’s a fascinating blend of history, economics, and science, offering a new perspective on the everyday substances that power everything from our smartphones to our cities. Conway’s accessible writing makes complex topics…

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Tenedos
Tenedos

Written by Tenedos

I love to write about technology and turn complex topics into engaging reads