I would this found after seeing it on Bill Gates’s blog, and in my journey into the sustainability industry, I thought “why not”. Boy, it was a good read. Vaclav Smil’s book How the World Really Works is a comprehensive and data-driven look at the seven fundamental realities that govern human survival and prosperity. The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the world we live in and the challenges we face.
Smil is a world-renowned expert on energy, environment, and sustainability. He has written over 40 books on these topics, and his work is widely respected by scientists and policymakers. In “How the World Really Works,” Smil draws on his vast knowledge and experience to provide a clear and concise overview of the key forces that shape our world.
The book is divided into seven chapters, each of which focuses on a different reality:
- Energy
- Food
- Material living standards
- Globalization
- Infrastructure
- Population
- Risks
Smil does an excellent job of explaining complex topics in a way that is easy to understand. He uses data and statistics to support his arguments, but he also provides a human perspective on the issues. For example, in the chapter on energy, Smil discusses the history of energy use and the challenges of transitioning to a clean energy future. He also talks about the impact of energy on our environment and our health.
What I love about this book is that Smil is not afraid to challenge conventional thinking. He argues that we need to be realistic about the challenges we face and that we need to make some difficult choices if we want to create a sustainable future. He also points out that there is no easy solution to any of the problems we face. An example he cited is the journey to find an alternative source of energy as energy-dense as fossil fuel. We may have to settle with the reality that there is none yet at the time of writing this book.
How the World Really Works is an important book that provides a much-needed reality check. It is a book that everyone should read, regardless of their political or ideological views.
Here are some of the strengths of the book:
- Comprehensive and data-driven
- Clear and concise
- Well-written and engaging
- Provides a human perspective on complex topics
- Challenges conventional thinking
Here are some of the weaknesses of the book:
- May be a bit dry at times – I would suggest to start off light, make notes and continue reading it is data-rich
- Some of the arguments are complex and may be difficult to follow for some readers
- The book is long, and it may be a bit overwhelming for some readers (even for me)
Overall How the World Really Works is an excellent book that provides a valuable overview of the key forces that shape our world. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges we face and the choices we need to make to create a sustainable future.
In addition to its strengths and weaknesses, I would also add that the book is a bit dated. It was published in 2020, and some of the data and statistics are now out of date. However, the book’s insights and arguments are still relevant, and it remains an important resource for anyone who wants to understand the world we live in.