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Title: The Knowledge

Subtitle: How to Rebuild Our World from Scratch

Author: Lewis Dartnell

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-17-14

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 281 votes

Genres: Science & Technology, Technology

Publisher's Summary:

Most of us are ignorant about the fundamental principles of the civilization that supports us, happily utilizing the latest - or even the most basic - technology without having the slightest idea of why it works or how it came to be. If you had to go back to absolute basics, like some sort of postcataclysmic Robinson Crusoe, would you know how to re-create an internal combustion engine, put together a microscope, get metals out of rock, accurately tell time, weave fibers into clothing, or even how to produce food for yourself?

Regarded as one of the brightest young scientists of his generation, Lewis Dartnell proposes that the key to preserving civilization in an apocalyptic scenario is to provide a quickstart guide, adapted to cataclysmic circumstances. The Knowledge describes many of the modern technologies we employ, but first it explains the fundamentals upon which they are built. Every piece of technology rests on an enormous support network of other technologies, all interlinked and mutually dependent. You can't hope to build a radio, for example, without understanding how to acquire the raw materials it requires, as well as generate the electricity needed to run it.

But Dartnell doesn't just provide specific information for starting over; he also reveals the greatest invention of them all - the phenomenal knowledge-generating machine that is the scientific method itself. This would allow survivors to learn technological advances not explicitly explored in The Knowledge as well as things we have yet to discover. The Knowledge is a brilliantly original guide to the fundamentals of science and how it built our modern world as well as a thought experiment about the very idea of scientific knowledge itself.

Members Reviews:

Great science knowledge + zombie apocalypse prep

I love tech and engineering. This book taught me how things work from the ground up (literally). The basic knowledge in here should be required reading for any serious student of the universe.

The narrator was ok but occasionally got on my nerves. I've yet to hear a great non fiction narration - maybe it's not possible. The book is clearly explained but still a bit dense for audio. I plan on listening several times as well as purchasing for my bookshelf.

Highly recommend.

Interesting discussion of basic chemistry

Although this book started out slow, I was more impressed with the book the further I got into it. It discusses the basic chemistry behind technologies such as glass, steel, acids, heating, foods, clothing, photography, metal working, medicine, etc., etc. It is a "what if" scenario of what would happen if there were a nuclear holocaust and the survivors needed to concoct basic technologies. The author draws upon the works of others to build a book which truly challenges the scientific knowledge of readers.

Essential post-apocalyptic reading

It was dry at times, but I am sure it will come come in handy after the upcoming zombie apocalypse.

We might be screwed, but... science!

Prepping and survivalism are pursuits I have mixed feelings about. Yes, it makes sense to be prepared if some natural disaster or civil emergency happens, but if some major catastrophe causes civilization to go completely off the rails, I think we're all pretty screwed.