Book Post 19: Coal by Mark C. Thurber

 Book Name : Coal 

Author : Mark C. Thurber

Genre : Non-Fiction

 

What is it about? : As the title of the book makes it amply clear this book is about Coal. Whether we like it or not the fact remains that over 1/3rd of electricity generation in the world is still generated from Coal. This book tries to answer some of the questions related to coal. Almost 200 years after we started using Coal on a mass scale why are we still dependent on it? What are the political conflicts and dynamics on the national and International level that influence the policies affecting coal. And most importantly for us what would it take for other energy sources to push out coal from the market.  

How I came to read it : This has an interesting background. During my Masters in UBC last year, one of the Departments invited this author Mark C. Thurber for a talk about his then latest book 'Coal'. I attended the talk and at the end the organizers were giving away Author signed copies. I got one from Mark himself. I had a little chat with him then took a selfie with him as well. This was my second author signed copy and the first time I met the author themselves. 

   

Did I like it?

Yes I did. Coal is a concise and to the point book. It does not deviate from the topic at hand. 

In the first chapter itself the author reveals some startling facts. For example, sample this. From 2000 to 2013 China made massive strides in manufacturing sector and boosted its per capita sevenfold. This was made possible in part by threefold increase in coal production and consumption. At present China consumes more coal than the rest of the world combined. This shows coals popularity. It is cheap and has wide geographical distribution. The competition between fuels is shaped by three main factors: resource depletion, technological change and policy. And coal still edges out other fuels in these three factors in many regions around the world. But things are changing albeit slowly. The author then reviews the PET factors: Political, Economic and Technological that have shaped coal's past and will shape its future. 

The author then outlines the History of coal usage and how it came to be so heavily used and brought us to where we are today. It was the vehicle to our prosperity at present. The book offers many thought provoking insights too many to list here. The rest of the book talks about the coal supply chain and the dynamics associated with it, the environmental groups fighting the use of coal and the strategies and tactics they use to put pressure on coal users, the alternatives associated with coal, their strengths and weaknesses and finally the last chapter details the Policies, Technology and the future of coal. 

The author provides a neutral narrative to the whole topic. Not swaying to any one viewpoint he provides a nuanced and insightful account of why coal was popular, why it is still in use and what is its future. To me it seemed like the kind of book to read if you are to follow the adage 'Know your Enemy'. Know Coal with this book and find out everything about it. Learn what makes coal what it is and try to know how the insights can be used to help other fuels to grow. Overall an excellent book. Totally worth rereading again and again.  

 

Book Post 18 : The Third Industrial Revolution by Jeremy Rifkin

Book Name : The Third Industrial Revolution: How Lateral Power is transforming Energy, The Economy and the World.

Author : Jeremy Rifkin

Genre : Non-Fiction

 
What is it about? : The book outlines the concept that the present Energy regime is outdated and that the World needs a Third Industrial Revolution which will be lead by the Mix of Renewable Energy and Internet Technologies.  

How I came to read it :  It was listed as one of the best books to read about our Energy Future. So I got it from UBC (University of British Columbia) library with the help of a friend.  

Did I like it? 

Not much. Though the book presents some brilliant concepts and a vision of the future, the whole of the book could have been condensed into a shorter read. It drifts away from the main topic quite a lot and add to that the boastful tone of the author only made it irritating at some points. Twice I thought I should stop reading but I completed it anyway. And I am glad I did. The overall concept of the book is good. It presents a model of planning and how things should be done as we move into a climate emergency affected world. A lot of jurisdictions have already adopted the The Third Industrial Revolution model outlined in the book. The model has 5 main pillars, the adoption of which, the author says will revolutionize our lives. 

Two main points stick out. One is the combination of Internet technologies and Energy. He says whenever a communication regime combines with a energy source, revolutions happen. Both the previous revolutions are good examples of this. Second is the change in way of doing things. From the traditional top down structure to lateral. More emphasis on collaboration and group work than on single individual work. 

Overall an okay read. Though a simple essay could have captured all the ideas presented instead of a narrative that meanders its way through this book. 

But the biggest bonus for me was the section of Thermodynamics. The below lines are the best part. 

''Albert Einstein once pondered the question of which laws of science were the least likely to be overthrown or seriously modified by future generations of scientists. He concluded that the first and second laws of Thermodynamics were most likely to withstand the test of time. 

He wrote:
A theory is more impressive the greater is the simplicity of its premises, the more different are the kinds of things it relates and the more extended its range of applicability. Therefore, the deep impression which classical thermodynamics made on me. It is the only physical theory of universal content which I am convinced, that within the framework of applicability of its basic concepts, will never be overthrown.''

Book Post 17: Invention by Design : How Engineers get from Thought to Thing by Henry Petroski

Book Name : Invention by Design : How Engineers get from Thought to Thing 

Author : Henry Petroski 

Genre : Non- Fiction

 
What is it about? : This book is about the nature of Engineering. How Engineers think of a problem or a necessity and try to meet it. It does this by presenting a few case studies. Starting from the common paper clips to Bridges it covers a huge range of things designed by Engineers.  

How I came to read it :  I had this book in my wish list for a long time now. I remember I first came to know about it some 5 years back while I was in my first job. A major hindrance to getting my hands on it was the cost and its unavailability on major online book stores. Here in Vancouver I could easily get it from the University library thanks to a friend.  

Did I like it? 

Moderately. The style and a bit of dry writing made it a mildly boring book to read. I had so much expectations on this one. 

The content is, without a doubt, hugely informative. The development of the things presented in the case studies are shown in a such a way so as to throw light on the different facets of Engineering like Design, analysis, failure, economics etc. They also touch on different engineering fields like Aeronautical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical and Structural Engineering. The case studies are of the following items:  Paper clips, Pencils Points, Zippers, Aluminum Cans, Fax, Airplanes, Water networks, Bridges and Buildings.

I never knew that the  development of paper clips involved a lengthy Engineering process. You would be amazed to know how many designs were suggested for the simple purpose of holding a bunch of papers together. There was an important point mentioned that Engineers spot problems that the general public cannot see. The development of a lot of everyday products is the result of this ability of the Engineers. The other case studies reveal a lot about the issues in developing a product and how engineers go about solving them.

All in all, had it not been for the drab writing this book would have been a powerful magnet for attracting people to Engineering. 

Book Post 16 : A Concise History of Canada's First Nations by Olive Patricia Dickason

 Book Name : A Concise History of Canada's First Nations

Author : Olive Patricia Dickason

Genre : Non- Fiction 

What is it about? : It is about 

How I came to read it :  Before coming to Canada I did a lot of homework in getting to know the country. I read History books, watched a few movies and read tons of articles. By the time I landed in Canada I had a fair bit of knowledge about the country's history. But one thing which still eluded me was knowing about the History of the original natives of the place. Hoping to fill this gap I got this book from the UBC library through a friend. 

Did I like it? 

Yes.

Starting with the earliest known history, through the First meetings with Europeans to the latest developments this book covers everything. There are complex dynamics playing out throughout with the Key Players being the French, the British, The Hurons and a few others. Revealing a number of lesser known facts about the First nations this book is an eye opener. It talks about the number of treaties, the residential school system, the trade, the beginning of the reserve system, the Indian Act, how the Confederation of Canada was shaped and the equations with First Nations. The last chapter talks about the Road to Self Government.

The only drawback I found is that it tends to drag a bit in the middle. It will take a serious reader to forge on in till the end. A casual reader looking to get a quick idea about the history of the First Nations will be disappointed. A more serious reader may enjoy the details. I fell somewhere in the middle. Nevertheless this was an eye-opening read and I am glad I read it.   

Book Post 15: How to be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith

Book Name : How to be an Explorer of the World 

Author : Keri Smith

Genre : Self Help/Kids

What is it about? : As the title amply makes it clear this book tries to inculcate in the reader all the qualities that makes one an Explorer of the World. From Observation pointers and exercises to Note taking tips it covers a lot of points. Ideally for kids but equally suitable for adults who have forgotten their inner child this book is a life changer or maybe a habit changer to be more precise. 

How I came to read it :  Long back I spotted this book in the UBC Bookstore. I flipped through it and right there decided I have to read it. But I already had a backlog of books to read so I skipped it then. Months later I burrowed it from the Vancouver Public Library. 

Did I like it? 

Absolutely loved it! Written in a simple kids language it has a number of fun exercises. It starts with an exercise asking the reader to list down all the object near where he/she is sitting. From this beginning it goes on to list a multitude of different tasks. Sprinkled among these is a few quotations to inspire and motivate. At the beginning of the book is a Mission Statement which I have posted below. I simply loved this book. It would be a perfect gift for little kids. 

Book Post 14 : At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft

Book Name : At the Mountains of Madness 

Author : H.P. Lovecraft        

Genre : Cosmic Horror

Year of Publication : 1936

What is it about? : About a scientific expedition gone wrong in Antarctica.

How I came to read it :  A casual conversation about Horror bought back memories of a book I had bought long back but couldn't read it. It was a book of Horror stories by H.P. Lovecraft. I thought its time I start reading Lovecraft. So I picked up this Magnum opus of his.  

Did I like it? 

I loved it. For me three factors make up a good horror story. The Setup. The Buildup and The Delivery. 'At the Mountains of Madness' excels in all three. The setup is brilliant. A University team goes to the Antarctica to conduct some scientific experiments. There a sub team ventures further into the heart of the deserted land to gather some samples. The team at the base receives a message that they have found something spectacular. Something that will make all the known history and science to be rewritten. But the team fails to return and the base team sends a second team to investigate. What the second team finds there is what forms the delivery. The transition from the setup to the delivery is the buildup. All of this has been done expertly. The scale of Lovecraft's themes are gigantic. He does not scare you at an individual level but something far more deeper. 

An excerpt from an article in the Guardian in 2010 perhaps sums up best what Lovecraft is about. 

''The American writer HP Lovecraft, who died in 1937, has been called "the man who scares Stephen King". A writer of horror and science fiction, Lovecraft's guiding principle was that the universe is incomprehensible and terrifyingly alien, and that there somewhere exists an abyss which, should we have the misfortune to gaze into it, will rob us for ever of our sanity. Many of his books feature a grimoire (my favourite word ever) called the Necronomican, which was written eons ago by a man called Abdul al-Hazred in Sana'a, Yemen. Spooky, eh? Lovecraft isn't easy to read; his language is archaic and convoluted, and you might not know half the time what he is going on about.''

True, Lovecraft is a bit hard to read but therein lies the beauty. It is like the process of diffusion of a gas in a room. The idea of what is happening spreads slowly in your mind like the smell of a perfume in a closed room. By the time the idea is full established in your mind you realize the horror of it all. Lovecraft is a master! And 'At the Mountains of Madness' easily climbs into my list of favorite horror books.