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Engineers of Dreams
by Henry Petroski • 1995
America's bridges were built by dreamers, rivals, and the hard lessons of catastrophic failure.
3.78
166
Engineers of Dreams Summary
Engineers of Dreams 94%
America's bridges were built by dreamers, rivals, and the hard lessons of catastrophic failure.
by Henry Petroski 1995
3.78
166 ratings
Civil Engineering
by David Muir Wood • 2012
Why bridges stand and dams hold: a compact tour of civil engineering, from soil to steel.
3.61
137
Civil Engineering Summary
Civil Engineering 94%
Why bridges stand and dams hold: a compact tour of civil engineering, from soil to steel.
by David Muir Wood 2012
3.61
137 ratings
The Road Taken
by Henry Petroski • 2016
The $121 billion congestion tax: what the history of pavement says about fixing America's roads.
3.44
529
The Road Taken Summary
The Road Taken 92%
The $121 billion congestion tax: what the history of pavement says about fixing America's roads.
by Henry Petroski 2016
3.44
529 ratings
Concrete Planet
by Robert Courland • 2011
Concrete is older than the wheel, built Rome, and now silently corrodes the modern world.
3.89
218
Concrete Planet Summary
Concrete Planet 92%
Concrete is older than the wheel, built Rome, and now silently corrodes the modern world.
by Robert Courland 2011
3.89
218 ratings
Engineering in Plain Sight
by Grady Hillhouse • 2022
An illustrated field guide to the engineering secrets embedded in every street, pole, and bridge.
4.20
856
Engineering in Plain Sight Summary
Engineering in Plain Sight 92%
An illustrated field guide to the engineering secrets embedded in every street, pole, and bridge.
by Grady Hillhouse 2022
4.20
856 ratings
Panama Fever
by Matthew Parker • 2007
A forty-mile obsession that cost 25,000 lives: how a four-century dream became the Panama Canal.
3.80
920
Panama Fever Summary
Panama Fever 91%
A forty-mile obsession that cost 25,000 lives: how a four-century dream became the Panama Canal.
by Matthew Parker 2007
3.80
920 ratings
The Great Bridge
by David McCullough • 1972
The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.
4.26
19k+
The Great Bridge Summary
The Great Bridge 91%
The father died. The son collapsed. The daughter-in-law stepped in and built the Brooklyn Bridge.
by David McCullough 1972
4.26
19k+ ratings
To Forgive Design
by Henry Petroski • 2012
The safest bridges and planes are designed by studying the ones that fell down.
3.53
217
To Forgive Design Summary
To Forgive Design 91%
The safest bridges and planes are designed by studying the ones that fell down.
by Henry Petroski 2012
3.53
217 ratings
The Perfectionists
by Simon Winchester • 2018
From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.
4.15
7k+
The Perfectionists Summary
The Perfectionists 90%
From cylinders to microchips: the hidden pursuit of perfect smoothness that built the modern world.
by Simon Winchester 2018
4.15
7k+ ratings
Maintenance of Everything
by Stewart Brand • 2026
Civilization runs on maintenance nobody sees, values, or funds. Until it stops.
4.00
516
Maintenance of Everything Summary
Maintenance of Everything 90%
Civilization runs on maintenance nobody sees, values, or funds. Until it stops.
by Stewart Brand 2026
4.00
516 ratings
To Engineer Is Human
by Henry Petroski • 1985
Every disaster is a lesson plan. Bridges stay up because engineers study the ones that fell.
3.69
3k+
To Engineer Is Human Summary
To Engineer Is Human 90%
Every disaster is a lesson plan. Bridges stay up because engineers study the ones that fell.
by Henry Petroski 1985
3.69
3k+ ratings
The Book on the Bookshelf
by Henry Petroski • 1999
Why books once faced the wall and wore chains: the bookshelf as a history of engineering.
3.75
1k+
The Book on the Bookshelf Summary
The Book on the Bookshelf 90%
Why books once faced the wall and wore chains: the bookshelf as a history of engineering.
by Henry Petroski 1999
3.75
1k+ ratings
The Longest Line on the Map
by Eric Rutkow • 2019
A century-long quest to link the Americas by road was stopped cold by a 250-mile jungle.
3.04
258
The Longest Line on the Map Summary
The Longest Line on the Map 90%
A century-long quest to link the Americas by road was stopped cold by a 250-mile jungle.
by Eric Rutkow 2019
3.04
258 ratings
Brunelleschi's Dome
by Ross King • 1999
A goldsmith promised to build the world's largest dome without scaffolding. No one believed him.
3.91
28k+
Brunelleschi's Dome Summary
Brunelleschi's Dome 90%
A goldsmith promised to build the world's largest dome without scaffolding. No one believed him.
by Ross King 1999
3.91
28k+ ratings
India’s Railway Man
by Rajendra B. Aklekar • 2017
Bridge: 46 days. Mountain railway: 7 years. The values that built modern India on schedule.
3.85
249
India’s Railway Man Summary
India’s Railway Man 90%
Bridge: 46 days. Mountain railway: 7 years. The values that built modern India on schedule.
by Rajendra B. Aklekar 2017
3.85
249 ratings
At Home
by Bill Bryson • 2010
Every room in your house conceals a history of bloodshed, invention, and empire.
3.99
99k+
At Home Summary
At Home 90%
Every room in your house conceals a history of bloodshed, invention, and empire.
by Bill Bryson 2010
3.99
99k+ ratings
Structures
by J.E. Gordon • 1978
The hidden physics that keeps the world standing, and the surprising ways everything still breaks.
4.14
4k+
Structures Summary
Structures 90%
The hidden physics that keeps the world standing, and the surprising ways everything still breaks.
by J.E. Gordon 1978
4.14
4k+ ratings
Success through Failure
by Henry Petroski • 2006
Every triumph contains the seed of its collapse; the art of design is spotting it early.
3.60
201
Success through Failure Summary
Success through Failure 90%
Every triumph contains the seed of its collapse; the art of design is spotting it early.
by Henry Petroski 2006
3.60
201 ratings
Structural Analysis
by Russell C. Hibbeler • 1982
Trusses, beams, and frames: how to find every force and deflection inside them before they're built.
4.10
424
Structural Analysis Summary
Structural Analysis 90%
Trusses, beams, and frames: how to find every force and deflection inside them before they're built.
by Russell C. Hibbeler 1982
4.10
424 ratings
The Path Between the Seas
by David McCullough • 1977
Forty years, two nations, twenty-five thousand dead: the true cost of fifty miles of canal.
4.22
24k+
The Path Between the Seas Summary
The Path Between the Seas 90%
Forty years, two nations, twenty-five thousand dead: the true cost of fifty miles of canal.
by David McCullough 1977
4.22
24k+ ratings
The Evolution of Useful Things
by Henry Petroski • 1994
Annoyance, not function, gave us forks, zippers, paper clips. The real driver of everyday design.
3.52
1k+
The Evolution of Useful Things Summary
The Evolution of Useful Things 89%
Annoyance, not function, gave us forks, zippers, paper clips. The real driver of everyday design.
by Henry Petroski 1994
3.52
1k+ ratings
The Driving Machine
by Witold Rybczynski • 2024
How art, war, and ego shaped the car, from the Model T to the Tesla.
3.82
197
The Driving Machine Summary
The Driving Machine 89%
How art, war, and ego shaped the car, from the Model T to the Tesla.
by Witold Rybczynski 2024
3.82
197 ratings
An Empire of Wealth
by John Steele Gordon • 2004
How a scrappy republic became the engine of global capitalism, from canals to microchips.
4.10
1k+
An Empire of Wealth Summary
An Empire of Wealth 89%
How a scrappy republic became the engine of global capitalism, from canals to microchips.
by John Steele Gordon 2004
4.10
1k+ ratings
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing
by Petroski • 1996
Paper clips, fax machines, bridges: what their shortcomings reveal about the logic of engineering.
3.75
351
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing Summary
Invention by Design; How Engineers Get from Thought to Thing 89%
Paper clips, fax machines, bridges: what their shortcomings reveal about the logic of engineering.
by Petroski 1996
3.75
351 ratings
The Things We Make
by Bill Hammack • 2023
Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.
3.75
1k+
The Things We Make Summary
The Things We Make 89%
Engineering isn't applied science: it's the art of solving problems before anyone understands them.
by Bill Hammack 2023
3.75
1k+ ratings
The Pencil
by Henry Petroski • 1992
A pencil hides centuries of engineering failures, global trade, and the secret to good design.
3.80
657
The Pencil Summary
The Pencil 89%
A pencil hides centuries of engineering failures, global trade, and the secret to good design.
by Henry Petroski 1992
3.80
657 ratings
How We Got to Now
by Steven Johnson • 2014
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
4.12
16k+
How We Got to Now Summary
How We Got to Now 89%
Six ordinary breakthroughs built the modern world; their biggest consequences were never planned.
by Steven Johnson 2014
4.12
16k+ ratings
Engineering Mechanics
by Russell C. Hibbeler • 1992
From particles to rigid bodies: a methodical path through statics, dynamics, and vibrations.
4.06
205
Engineering Mechanics Summary
Engineering Mechanics 89%
From particles to rigid bodies: a methodical path through statics, dynamics, and vibrations.
by Russell C. Hibbeler 1992
4.06
205 ratings
Halt Station India
by Rajendra B. Aklekar • 2014
Bombay's oldest railway still passes through the ruins of the city it replaced.
4.38
120
Halt Station India Summary
Halt Station India 89%
Bombay's oldest railway still passes through the ruins of the city it replaced.
by Rajendra B. Aklekar 2014
4.38
120 ratings
How to Invent Everything
by Ryan North • 2018
Stranded in the past with nothing but your wits, and the flowchart says you're before 50,000 BCE.
4.14
6k+
How to Invent Everything Summary
How to Invent Everything 89%
Stranded in the past with nothing but your wits, and the flowchart says you're before 50,000 BCE.
by Ryan North 2018
4.14
6k+ ratings
The Johnstown Flood
by David McCullough • 1968
2,200 dead, a city erased in ten minutes. The dam's owners were never held accountable.
4.13
26k+
The Johnstown Flood Summary
The Johnstown Flood 89%
2,200 dead, a city erased in ten minutes. The dam's owners were never held accountable.
by David McCullough 1968
4.13
26k+ ratings
Networks of New York
by Ingrid Burrington • 2016
Orange lines on the pavement mark fiber-optic cables: a field guide to the visible internet.
3.80
232
Networks of New York Summary
Networks of New York 89%
Orange lines on the pavement mark fiber-optic cables: a field guide to the visible internet.
by Ingrid Burrington 2016
3.80
232 ratings
The Essential Engineer
by Henry Petroski • 2010
Science explains; engineering creates. When we confuse the two, our biggest problems get harder.
3.37
270
The Essential Engineer Summary
The Essential Engineer 89%
Science explains; engineering creates. When we confuse the two, our biggest problems get harder.
by Henry Petroski 2010
3.37
270 ratings
Cities
by Monica L. Smith • 2019
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
3.26
446
Cities Summary
Cities 89%
Cities were never about efficiency. They were about all the things you cannot get alone.
by Monica L. Smith 2019
3.26
446 ratings
A Short History of the World
by Christopher Lascelles • 2011
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
3.86
2k+
A Short History of the World Summary
A Short History of the World 89%
Thirteen billion years in one short book: why empires fall, ideas spread, and everything connects.
by Christopher Lascelles 2011
3.86
2k+ ratings
The Control Revolution
by James R. Beniger • 1986
Steam outran human control. The century-long scramble to catch up invented modern data processing.
4.16
112
The Control Revolution Summary
The Control Revolution 89%
Steam outran human control. The century-long scramble to catch up invented modern data processing.
by James R. Beniger 1986
4.16
112 ratings
Internal Improvement
by John Lauritz Larson • 2001
Public works were meant to knit the early republic together. Private capital drew the map instead.
3.73
33
Internal Improvement Summary
Internal Improvement 89%
Public works were meant to knit the early republic together. Private capital drew the map instead.
by John Lauritz Larson 2001
3.73
33 ratings
Nothing Like It in the World
by Stephen E. Ambrose • 2000
Shopkeepers, swindlers, and immigrant armies: the men who punched a railroad through a continent.
3.99
14k+
Nothing Like It in the World Summary
Nothing Like It in the World 88%
Shopkeepers, swindlers, and immigrant armies: the men who punched a railroad through a continent.
by Stephen E. Ambrose 2000
3.99
14k+ ratings
Storia economica dell'Europa pre-industriale
by Carlo M. Cipolla • 1974
How plague, timber famine, and silver hunger forced medieval Europe to invent the modern economy.
4.29
277
Storia economica dell'Europa pre-industriale Summary
Storia economica dell'Europa pre-industriale 88%
How plague, timber famine, and silver hunger forced medieval Europe to invent the modern economy.
by Carlo M. Cipolla 1974
4.29
277 ratings
The Alchemy of Us
by Ainissa Ramirez • 2020
We invented quartz clocks, steel rails, and silicon chips. Then they reinvented us.
3.90
1k+
The Alchemy of Us Summary
The Alchemy of Us 88%
We invented quartz clocks, steel rails, and silicon chips. Then they reinvented us.
by Ainissa Ramirez 2020
3.90
1k+ ratings
A People’s History of Computing in the United States
by Joy Lisi Rankin • 2018
The PC erased a decade of shared computing where users were creators, not customers.
3.49
193
A People’s History of Computing in the United States Summary
A People’s History of Computing in the United States 88%
The PC erased a decade of shared computing where users were creators, not customers.
by Joy Lisi Rankin 2018
3.49
193 ratings
The Ten Books on Architecture
by Vitruvius
The ancient blueprint behind Western architecture: from human proportion to war machines.
4.04
3k+
The Ten Books on Architecture Summary
The Ten Books on Architecture 88%
The ancient blueprint behind Western architecture: from human proportion to war machines.
by Vitruvius
4.04
3k+ ratings
Invention and Innovation
by Vaclav Smil • 2023
Moore's Law is an outlier. Everywhere else, innovation crawls, stumbles, or backfires.
3.84
1k+
Invention and Innovation Summary
Invention and Innovation 88%
Moore's Law is an outlier. Everywhere else, innovation crawls, stumbles, or backfires.
by Vaclav Smil 2023
3.84
1k+ ratings
Stuff Matters
by Mark Miodownik • 2013
What a steel razor and a teacup reveal about civilization: the hidden science of everyday materials.
4.11
21k+
Stuff Matters Summary
Stuff Matters 88%
What a steel razor and a teacup reveal about civilization: the hidden science of everyday materials.
by Mark Miodownik 2013
4.11
21k+ ratings
Fiber
by Susan P. Crawford • 2018
Fiber is this century's electricity, and America skipped the wiring job.
3.87
159
Fiber Summary
Fiber 88%
Fiber is this century's electricity, and America skipped the wiring job.
by Susan P. Crawford 2018
3.87
159 ratings
Skunk Works
by Ben R. Rich • 1994
No bureaucracy. No interference. A handful of engineers in a shed built planes invisible to radar.
4.46
17k+
Skunk Works Summary
Skunk Works 88%
No bureaucracy. No interference. A handful of engineers in a shed built planes invisible to radar.
by Ben R. Rich 1994
4.46
17k+ ratings
The Light Ages
by Seb Falk • 2020
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
3.67
2k+
The Light Ages Summary
The Light Ages 88%
Eclipse math, precision clocks, a six-foot computer: the medieval laboratory inside the monastery.
by Seb Falk 2020
3.67
2k+ ratings
Dark Tide
by Stephen Puleo • 2003
A 25-foot wave of molasses killed 21 people because one company ignored every warning sign.
4.03
5k+
Dark Tide Summary
Dark Tide 88%
A 25-foot wave of molasses killed 21 people because one company ignored every warning sign.
by Stephen Puleo 2003
4.03
5k+ ratings
Wright Brothers, Wrong Story
by William Elliott azelgrove • 2018
Wilbur Wright solved flight alone. Orville Wright spent decades burying that fact.
3.66
130
Wright Brothers, Wrong Story Summary
Wright Brothers, Wrong Story 88%
Wilbur Wright solved flight alone. Orville Wright spent decades burying that fact.
by William Elliott azelgrove 2018
3.66
130 ratings
Story of Civilization
by Will Durant • 1975
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
4.43
2k+
Story of Civilization Summary
Story of Civilization 88%
Civilization rests on four fragile foundations; remove one, and the whole structure collapses.
by Will Durant 1975
4.43
2k+ ratings
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