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liavis's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Got me into the habit of reading books again.
caribouffant's review against another edition
4.0
‘Four pillars of modern civilisation - ammonia, steel, cement, and plastic’
avolyn's review against another edition
2.0
I guess I expected a bit more from this book, however the explanation at the end about how the book was a collection of previously written blurbs that were grouped together in a book makes a lot more sense. I am just not entirely sure that they needed to become a book, in that the information provided wasn't nearly as robust as I think a book demands.
Little referencing. More of a commentary than a comprehensive or fair assessment of these topics. Many are ones I was already familiar with. I guess after having read many books on the climate crisis as well as Factfulness and having watched a fair amount of documentaries on these topics I don't feel like I learned a whole lot from this.
Not criminal but surely unsatisfying.
Little referencing. More of a commentary than a comprehensive or fair assessment of these topics. Many are ones I was already familiar with. I guess after having read many books on the climate crisis as well as Factfulness and having watched a fair amount of documentaries on these topics I don't feel like I learned a whole lot from this.
Not criminal but surely unsatisfying.
eslee30's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
A lot of technical jargon that I didn't quiet understand, but other than that, very eye-opening.
felipepalmerola's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
roohanin's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
A book with a collection of short essays. Very informative with lots of statistics but the essay topics rarely follow a pattern. If you are not looking for a flow, go for it. Its relaxing and quite fast paced. I read 6-7 essays easily in one sitting and its only 71 small essays.
The book scored itself an extra point when author points out how we find it easy to estimate the length and distance but have difficulty in mass and weight. We prefer to talk about money in relative earnings or savings and not in terms of inflation or fluctuations in purchasing power and exchange rates. For most of us conversation ends when talks turn to comparisons in order of magnitude or qualitative differences which can not be captured in numbers.
This makes me think how much of the world would be a different place if most people could grasp these and have quality conversations on them. I can imagine the kind of conversations floating around. And the author himself pointed out that it is easier to learn than people think, it just needs dedicated effort
The book scored itself an extra point when author points out how we find it easy to estimate the length and distance but have difficulty in mass and weight. We prefer to talk about money in relative earnings or savings and not in terms of inflation or fluctuations in purchasing power and exchange rates. For most of us conversation ends when talks turn to comparisons in order of magnitude or qualitative differences which can not be captured in numbers.
This makes me think how much of the world would be a different place if most people could grasp these and have quality conversations on them. I can imagine the kind of conversations floating around. And the author himself pointed out that it is easier to learn than people think, it just needs dedicated effort
With the introduction the author had written, I expected myself to struggle a bit to keep up. But it was easy. I am having mixed feelings about it. It could be that I have the knowledge level enough to keep up or it could be that the author preferred to write stories in a way everyone can understand.
bhandarkar's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most empowering books I have read in 2021.
The Scientist Vaclav Smil (78) is well regarded for his books in the field of Energy, Technology and Science.
His books happen to be a good source of specialised information.
Numbers Don’t lie is not that book. This book is a compilation of short summaries on 71 interesting topics based on Energy, People, Machines & Devices, Countries, Food etc. In these summaries he has managed to put factual numbers and raise important question which may never have occurred to us.
example
-What is the hypothesis and data behind humans growing taller?
-Engines are older than bicycles!
-Why electric container ships are a hard sail.
-The rise of Data: Too much too fast.
-Why upgrading house windows has better returns than upgrading the heating equipment.
etc.
By putting numbers on every topic in the book, readers get a better understanding of timeframe, improvement, cost, comparative analysis related to these topics.
The information provided by him is short & enlightening, something that’s difficult to achieve.
The Scientist Vaclav Smil (78) is well regarded for his books in the field of Energy, Technology and Science.
His books happen to be a good source of specialised information.
Numbers Don’t lie is not that book. This book is a compilation of short summaries on 71 interesting topics based on Energy, People, Machines & Devices, Countries, Food etc. In these summaries he has managed to put factual numbers and raise important question which may never have occurred to us.
example
-What is the hypothesis and data behind humans growing taller?
-Engines are older than bicycles!
-Why electric container ships are a hard sail.
-The rise of Data: Too much too fast.
-Why upgrading house windows has better returns than upgrading the heating equipment.
etc.
By putting numbers on every topic in the book, readers get a better understanding of timeframe, improvement, cost, comparative analysis related to these topics.
The information provided by him is short & enlightening, something that’s difficult to achieve.