Jason Crawford
Founder and president of the Roots of Progress Institute; writes the history and philosophy of progress
A Culture of Growth: The Origins of the Modern Economy by Joel Mokyr
The book that in a way started this project was A Culture of Growth: The Origins of the Modern Economy, by Joel Mokyr.
on blog.rootsofprogress.org · 31 Dec 2017
Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization by Vaclav Smil
For a survey, I read Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization, by Vaclav Smil (or the first few chapters of it, which were the ones relevant to me).
on blog.rootsofprogress.org · 31 Dec 2017
The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager
A close runner-up is The Alchemy of Air, by Thomas Hager. It's the story of the Haber-Bosch process for creating synthetic ammonia, which is crucial for producing the fertilizer needed to feed the seven billion or so people on Earth today.
on blog.rootsofprogress.org · 31 Dec 2017
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker
My top book of 2017 was The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, by Steven Pinker. It's the story of how and why the world has gotten safer and more peaceful, from tribal societies to today.
on blog.rootsofprogress.org · 31 Dec 2017
The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm by Lewis Dartnell
I also read The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Civilization in the Aftermath of a Cataclysm, by Lewis Dartnell. I have no interest in apocalyptic scenarios, but this book is a good survey of the key technologies of industrial civilization.
on blog.rootsofprogress.org · 31 Dec 2017
The Most Powerful Idea in the World: A Story of Steam, Industry, and Invention by William Rosen
I also enjoyed The Most Powerful Idea in the World: A Story of Steam, Industry, and Invention, by Willam Rosen. It's the story of the steam engine, but also covers the origins of patent law.
on blog.rootsofprogress.org · 31 Dec 2017
Everything Jason Crawford recommends — not just books — on rcmnd →