Books like Science and technology in world history

A sweeping, panoramic view of human progress that untangles the complex, often surprising relationship between the thinkers and the makers. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Science and technology in world history.

intellectual
expansive
grounded
curious

01
Energy in world history
Vaclav Smil · 1994
A sweeping, deeply pragmatic lens on human history that reveals the hidden physical forces shaping our world.
Shares:
- intellectual
- expansive
- grounded
- scholarly
02
The Day the Universe Changed
Burke, James · 1985
A dizzying, exhilarating ride through the hidden connections and paradigm shifts that built the modern mind.
Shares:
- expansive
- curious
03
The pursuit of power
William H. McNeill · 1984
A sweeping, sobering journey through a millennium of human conflict, tracing how markets and technology forged the modern military-industrial complex.
Shares:
- intellectual
- scholarly
- analytical
04
Why the West Rules - For Now
Ian Morris
A sweeping, God's-eye view of human history that turns millennia of data into a gripping puzzle about geography, power, and our collective future.
Shares:
- intellectual
- expansive
- objective
- analytical
05
The wealth and poverty of nations
David S. Landes
A sweeping, opinionated masterclass in economic history that challenges the reader to grapple with the cultural and technological roots of global inequality.
Shares:
- intellectual
06
Connections
Burke, James · 1978
A dizzying, delightful connect-the-dots journey through history that reveals the hidden threads linking ancient accidents to modern marvels.
Shares:
- expansive
- curious
07
Ideas
Peter Watson · 2005
A sweeping, panoramic journey through the evolution of human thought that leaves the reader feeling intellectually expanded and deeply connected to the past.
Shares:
- expansive
- objective
08
Carnage and culture
Victor Davis Hanson
A sweeping, accessible synthesis of 2,500 years of military history that examines the cultural roots of Western lethality.
Shares:
- scholarly
- analytical
09
What technology wants
Kevin Kelly
A sweeping, optimistic reframing of technology as a living, evolving force deeply intertwined with human destiny.
Feels:
- intellectually stimulating
- awe-inspiring
- contemplative
10
Traditions & encounters
Jerry H. Bentley and Herbert F. Ziegler · 2003
A sweeping, structured journey through the interconnected tapestry of human civilization.
Shares:
- intellectual
- expansive
- objective
- analytical
11
The city in history
Lewis Mumford · 1961
A sweeping, philosophical journey through the stone, steel, and spirit of human civilization.
Shares:
- intellectual
12
A short history of progress
Ronald Wright · 2004
A sobering, sweeping look at the ghosts of fallen empires that serves as a chilling mirror for our modern world.
Shares:
- analytical

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