The World in a Grain
The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization
Recommended by Nicholas Thompson, and 1 others. See all reviewsRanked #17 in Materials Science, Ranked #21 in Material Science — see more rankings.
The gripping story of the most important overlooked commodity in the world--sand--and the crucial role it plays in our lives.
After water and air, sand is the natural resource that we consume more than any other--even more than oil. Every concrete building and paved road on Earth, every computer screen and silicon chip, is made from sand. From Egypt's pyramids to the Hubble telescope, from the world's tallest skyscraper to the sidewalk below it, from Chartres' stained-glass windows to your iPhone, sand shelters us, empowers us, engages us, and inspires us. It's the... more
After water and air, sand is the natural resource that we consume more than any other--even more than oil. Every concrete building and paved road on Earth, every computer screen and silicon chip, is made from sand. From Egypt's pyramids to the Hubble telescope, from the world's tallest skyscraper to the sidewalk below it, from Chartres' stained-glass windows to your iPhone, sand shelters us, empowers us, engages us, and inspires us. It's the... more
Reviews and Recommendations
We've comprehensively compiled reviews of The World in a Grain from the world's leading experts.
Nicholas Thompson Editor-in-Chief/WiredA riveting, wonderfully written investigation into the many kinds of castles the world has built out of sand. You'll find something new, and something fascinating, on every page. Perhaps even in every paragraph. (Source)
Rankings by Category
The World in a Grain is ranked in the following categories:
- #26 in Commodities
- #25 in Commodities Trading
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