Size

Smil, Vaclav

£20.00

Size is the most fundamental structural variable of the universe. Neither bacteria nor empires are immune to its laws. Measuring it is challenging, especially where complex systems like economies are concerned, yet mastering it offers rich rewards: the rise of the West, for example, was a direct result of ever more accurate and standardized measurements. Grounded in history and drawing on the latest science, with much recourse to art and classic literature, ‘Size’ explains the regularities – and peculiarities – of the key processes shaping life (from microbes to whales), the Earth (from asteroids to volcanic eruptions), technical advances (from architecture to transportation), and societies and economies (from cities to wages).

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Publish Date: 04/05/2023

Description

‘There is no author whose books I look forward to more’ Bill Gates

The New York Times bestselling author returns with a mind-opening exploration of how size defines life on Earth.

Explaining the key processes shaping size in nature, society and technology, Smil busts myths around proportions – from bodies to paintings and the so-called golden ratio – tells us what Jonathan Swift got wrong in Gulliver’s Travels – the giant Brobdingnagian’s legs would buckle under their enormous weight – and dives headfirst into the most contentious issue in ergonomics: the size of aeroplane seats.

It is no exaggeration to say this fascinating and wide-ranging tour de force will change the way you look at absolutely everything.

Additional information

Weight 504 g
Dimensions 240 × 162 × 29 mm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Hardback

Pages

352

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

530.8 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K