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Book

The powerful primate : how controlling energy enabled us to build civilization

Call Number

  • 303.483 E592 (CEN, OSH)

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Edition

First Scribner hardcover edition.

Publication Information

New York : Scribner, 2026.

Physical Description

xvii, 285 pages, 4 leaves of plates : color illustrations ; 23 cm

Summary

Explores the role of physical power, engineering skill, and energy use in human evolution and technological development. Roland Ennos traces how humans have harnessed successive energy sources--from wood and animal labor to water, wind, fossil fuels, and nuclear power--and how these advances contributed to agriculture, industry, and modern civilization. Blending insights from anthropology, biomechanics, engineering, and environmental history, the book examines both the achievements and the environmental consequences of humanity's expanding ability to manipulate physical forces. It also considers how the same engineering capabilities that shaped human progress may inform efforts toward a more sustainable future.

"A captivating journey through humanity's relentless quest to harness and control physical power, fueling groundbreaking innovations while leaving a profound impact on our planet-from the acclaimed author of The Age of Wood. The Powerful Primate presents a compelling argument that flips the traditional view of humanity on its head. Rather than focusing solely on our intellectual abilities, author Roland Ennos argues it's our physical power and engineering brilliance that have set us apart in the animal kingdom. From our bipedal ancestors wielding simple tools to modern humans mastering complex machinery, Ennos takes us on a gripping journey through the evolution of human dominance. Readers will learn the fascinating history of how humans have progressively harnessed energy from sources such as wood, animals, water, wind, fossil fuels, and even atomic nuclei to drive our rise to being the most powerful species on Earth. Our ancestors' ability to hit harder, throw further, and cut deeper than any other animal laid the groundwork for the development of agriculture, industry, and ultimately, modern civilization. Yet, this power has come at a cost: environmental degradation and societal challenges have arisen from our relentless pursuit of energy and technological advancement. There is hope, however-the same engineering skills that have brought us here can pave the way for a more sustainable future. Blending anthropology, biomechanics, engineering, and history, The Powerful Primate is a thought-provoking story of ambition, ingenuity, and the costs of progress-a must-read for anyone interested in the forces that shape human civilization"--

Contents

  • Developing our power. The dawn of power
  • Putting our backs into it
  • Getting a grip
  • Cutting it
  • The transformational tool
  • Mixing and matching
  • Tying it all together
  • Expanding our power. Growing our power
  • Reducing the workload
  • Carving out empires
  • Gearing it up
  • Forging military power
  • Raising the power supply
  • Power for precision
  • Powering an industrial nation
  • Transmitting power
  • Portable power
  • The hegemony of the machines
  • Reining in our power.

Subjects