Coal has been mined at a small scale since prehistoric times, but it truly became the dominant global fuel in the 18 th century, providing the energy required by the technological advances of the industrial revolution. A human history illustrates that this familiar carboniferous mineral has played a key role in human advancement. Jan 01, 2004 the history of coal freese displays for us is a most inhuman history. Instead, it was an economicpolitical history of coal and its development.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. A human history, author barbara freese explores the relation between humans and coal from the 14th century to present day. Part history and part environmental argument, freeses elegant book teaches an important lesson about the interdependence of humans and their natural. Coal by barbara freese used very good world of books. And with the looming threat of climate change, as america burns more coal than ever before, understanding coals power has never been more critical.
A human history has 8 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Freese narrates the discovery of coal in the colonies, the development of the first u. Taking us on a rich historical journey that begins on the banks of the river tyne, barbara freese explores the profound role coal has played in human history and continues to play in todays world. Burning it produces sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide in such quantities that. It is a pleasurable read, full of innumerable factoids and insights about how coal has affected human history. We learn how miners were threatened by all the classical elementsearth, air, fire, and water, and how the firemen did not put out fires but, just like in the novel by ray bradbury, start them. A human history by barbara freese, paperback barnes. Our cheap used books come with free delivery in the uk. As with many of these sorts of books, its basically a compilation of. Prized as the best stone in britain by roman invaders who carved jewelry out of it, coal has transformed societies, launched empires, and expanded frontiers. Above all, it fuelled the industrial revolution in britain, propelling the rise of a small rural kingdom into the greatest commercial empire in the world. Despite its allure as a cheap and warm energy source, coal.
The last third of coal is dedicated to the environmental impact it canis havehaving on the planet. The history of the british coal industry 5 vol, oxford u. Ranging from the great stinking fogs of london to the ratinfested coal mines of pennsylvania, from the impoverished slums of manchester to the toxic streets of beijing, coal is a captivating narrative about an ordinary substance with an extraordinary impact on human civilization. Barbara freese prized as the best stone in britain by roman invaders who carved jewelry out of it, coal has transformed societies, powered navies, fueled economies, and expanded frontiers. The fascinating, often surprising story of how a simple black rock has altered the course of history. Barbara freese the fascinating history of a simple black rock that has shaped our worldand now threatens it. Despite its allure as a cheap and warm energy source, coal carries a high environmental cost.
Books and some articles relating to coal mining, especially historical. The fascinating history of a simple black rock that has shaped our. In this remarkable book, barbara freese takes us on a rich historical journey. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Rent coal a human history 1st edition 9780738204000 and save up to 80% on textbook rentals and 90% on used textbooks. Jan 27, 2004 for those interested in world history, this book fills in many blanks. A human history would provide more stories and information about the lives of individual coal miners. Prized as the best stone in britain by roman invaders who carved jewelry out of it, coal has transformed societies. It became important in the industrial revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries, when it was primarily used to power steam engines, heat buildings and generate electricity. This book concentrates on the impact of coal on human history and development, written by an impartial observer an assistant attorneygeneral of minnesota who began to research the impact of coal for her job.
In this remarkable book, barbara freese takes us on a rich historical journey that begins hundreds of millions of years ago and spans the globe. In this remarkable book, barbara freese takes us on a rich historical journey that begins hundreds of. Just the sheer background of info starting with its formation, discovery and industrialization make it a book not to be put down or taken lightly. A human history is a well researched and well written novel on coal. Traces the history of coal, discussing how it has been used in different cultures, how it is mined, what negative effects it has had on people, economics, and the environment, and the role it has played in world history and development. The history of coal, that unglamorous substance that environmental attorney freese manages to buff until it shines like its distant cousin the diamondfreeses writing is a bit like coalsmooth and glinting, burning with a steady warmththough with none of its downsides, for coal also contributed to miserable air quality, blacklung disease, scarred landscapes, and. This is a history book, rich in science, facts, and. The novel talks about the history coal has had on ancient civilizations to modern day societies, and from the uk to the usa to china. Ever since the times when early nomads used the slashandburn method, coal has been around acting as jewelry for the romans and as fuel for peasants and the. I love books that describe how a single commodity slots into and shapes human history. Coal a human history 1st edition rent 9780738204000.
It was a real eyeopener, and illustrated that the pollution of the environment started a long time before the industrial revolution. It also adds information about the transition from england to the u. A human history and millions of other books are available for instant access. The history of coal mining goes back thousands of years.
Its light on the geology, and heavy on the historical implications of coal. Taking us on a rich historical journey that begins on the banks of the river tyne, barbara freese explores the profound role coal has played in human history. A human history from the worlds largest community of readers. A human history is an engaging book intended for the general reader, and it is a book that historians of technology will. A human history by barbara freese, in very good condition. A human historywould provide more stories and information about the lives of individual coal miners. There is ample biology, geology and politics to keep the reader fascinated. The books first sustained argument is that for centuries, britain led the world in coal production, and largely as a result, it triggered the industrial revolu tion p. Barbara freese takes us on a rich historical journey that begins hundreds of millions of years ago and. The production and use of coal has a very long history. Coal has transformed societies and shaped the fate of nations. Coal has been both lauded for its efficiency as a heating fuel and maligned for the lungwrenching black smoke it gives off. Despite its allure as a cheap and warm energy source. The first half of the book is set in britain and tells how coal transformed britain and ushered in the industrial age.
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