What if everything created by engineers had disappeared overnight? What would be missing? Not just cars, houses, roads and bridges but tunnels and skyscrapers. The impact engineering has on our human experience is undeniable, but more often than not it is invisible.
In the first of our official ‘Stem Book Clubs’, we have taken three very different books about three very different STEM subjects which each give a glimpse into how Engineering has impacted the modern human world we take for granted.
From Engineering superstar Adrian Newey’s comprehensive, engaging and highly entertaining exploration of how a car actually works; to Roma Agrawal’s hidden history of the structures that surround us; to Siddhartha Mukherjee’s story of how bio-engineering – having already radically reshaped our understanding of our own bodies – is leading us into an unsettling future.
Win “Built: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures”
To celebrate our first official book club we are giving away all three books this month. Starting with “Build – The Extraordinary Secret Lives Of Structures”
To enter simply follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube Channel.
All these books are aimed at slightly older readers. If you are looking for books for younger readers explore our “Books For Younger Children That Encourage Learning In 2017” and “15 Books To Get You Engaged With Engineering” posts.
The extraordinary Secret Lives of StructuresWhat if everything created by engineers had disappeared overnight? What would be missing? Not just cars, houses, roads and bridges but tunnels and skyscrapers.
The impact engineering has on our human experience is undeniable, but more often than not it is invisible.
This is where Roma Agrawal’s BUILT takes aim. Their unique look at how engineering has evolved from the very first mud huts to the steel and glass monoliths which dominate our cities skylines unpacks the unseen impact of Engineering on our modern world.
Each chapter in the book is written around particular materials or techniques – bricks, concrete and steel are explored in terms of how they gave rise to tunnels, water systems and high-rise buildings. Each idea is traced back to its – often unexpected – origin.
This format allows you to easily dip in and out of the book. As well as unpacking a wealth of Engineering history, the book is particularly heartfelt when it comes to Agrawal’s chapter on Emily Warren Roebling – the overlooked engineer behind the Brooklyn Bridge.
Even a century after Roebling’s death she is still an unknown figure in a male-dominated industry – perhaps this book will go some way to change that perception.
A work of pure gene-iusA mark of a great ‘science’ book is that is able to bring to life the most difficult subjects.
In ‘The Gene’ Siddhartha Mukherjee shows off his abilities as a science writer by weaving together science history, memoir, science-fiction horror and a classic detective novel to create something unique and engaging.
The book follows the story of the gene from its discovering into a distant unsettling future.
Explore the Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Formula 1 DesignerAdrian Newey OBE is one of Britain’s greatest engineers and the world’s foremost designer in Formula One.
His autobiography jumps back through his 35-year career through the lens of the cars he has worked to design and the people he has worked alongside.
Arguably Adrian is a true engineering genius – and the book gives an insight into how evolved from a 12-year-old sketching his own car designs, through his career as an IndyCar racer through to his striking success in Formula One. Over his career Adrian designed for everyone from Mario Andretti through Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Mika Hakkinen, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.
The book really shines when it comes to its comprehensive, engaging and highly entertaining detail how a car actually works.
The book features gorgeous illustrations and never seen before drawings and in our minds showcases what makes Formula One so exhilarating – the perfect combination of style, speed and engineering efficiency.
