In this episode of Books Deep Dive, we dive into Vaclav Smil's groundbreaking book How the World Really Works, which explores the critical role energy and food production play in shaping the modern world. From the origins of life through the conversion of energy to the massive advancements driven by fossil fuels, Smil takes us on a journey through history and science, showing how fundamental these forces are to our existence. We’ll explore key topics like the history of energy conversion, how fossil fuels revolutionized agriculture, and how electricity transformed society. If you're curious about how the world functions behind the scenes and how energy powers our lives, this episode is for you!