Mr. Browne uses his chosen elements to frame a wide-ranging look at scientific progress. It's also a lot of fun.―The Wall Street Journal The fascinating story of how seven elements―iron; carbon; gold; silver; uranium; titanium; and silicon―have changed modern life; for good and ill. With carbon we access heat; light and mobility at the flick of a switch; while silicon enables us to communicate across the globe in an instant. Uranium is both productive (nuclear power) and destructive (nuclear bombs); iron is the bloody weapon of war; but also the economic tool of peace; our desire for alluring gold is the foundation of global trade; but has also led to the death of millions. John Browne; CEO of British Petroleum (BP) for twelve years; vividly describes how seven elements are shaping the world around us; for better and for worse.Combining history; science and politics; Seven Elements takes you on a present-day adventure of human passion; ingenuity and discovery. This journey is far from over: we continue to find surprising new uses for these seven elements. Discover how titanium pervades modern consumer society; how natural gas is transforming the global energy sector; and how an innovative new form of carbon could be starting a technology revolution.
#777477 in BooksColor: Paperback W.W. Norton Co 2008-04-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.00 x 8.40 x 8.50l; 2.75 #File Name: 1602392455592 pagesQuality material used to make all Pro force productsTested in the field and used in the toughest environments100 percent designed in the USA
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good as a reference toolBy Suzette UrbanoPROS: Details relating to survival psychological mindset; possible situations relating to enemy territory; overview codes of conduct relating to survival situations. Useful info can be applied in civilian survival situations as much as military.CONS: Just meant as a guide book; though detailed it is not a substitute for survival procedures taught in military training; dialogue is rather boring and dry. It is a text book basically not a fun reading adventure.Overall I have enjoyed learning procedures used in the USAF for survival situations. It is simplistic and lays things out in easy steps. I wouldn't use it to refer to in a life or death situation; more it is a reference book for refreshing on training you may already have or will be in soon.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. TERRIBLE quality copy! Buy from a different publisher!By JohnIt should be fascinating. It's just the USAF manual "64-4"(your tax dollars at work) but the QUALITY OF THIS COPY IS TERRIBLE! No way would I have bought this if I had seen it first in a store. (Note: graciously gave me a refund; no questions asked.)* The font is way too tiny. Forget your reading glasses; get a magnifying glass!* The line drawings came out OK; but the photos are so low-contrast that I can barely make out what they are! They're just light-gray blotches. The photos for distinguishing different spiders all look the same. The evasion chart might as well be any map because nothing on it is readable.The screw-ups who threw this together didn't even spell-check the cover they put on it. (The word "is" is spelled "iis.") I'd much rather have the USAF reprint with its plain Manila covers and gigantic font --the one that's actually meant to be read by a flight crew. This doesn't even come close.50 of 52 people found the following review helpful. Great BookBy MMThis book is packed with useful information. It makes a great study guide or even just as an informational book. It includes illustrations and surprisingly detailed instructions for just about everything in the wild. It has everything from lashing and knots to wild plants and maps. The back of the book says it includes "First aid for illness and injury; finding your way without a map; building a fire; finding food and water; using ropes and tying knots; mountain survival; concealment techniques; signaling for help; survival at sea; building shelters; animal tracking; predicting the weather and much more"... and I've looked through the book; there really IS much more.
