With one famous equation, E=mc2, Einstein proved all matter can be described as energy. It is everywhere and everything.

‘There is no author whose books I look forward to more than Vaclav Smil.’ Bill Gates

Turn on a light. Start the car. Boil water. Eat. Move. Breathe. Everything is energy. But what exactly is it? And how can we best harness it without destroying the planet in the process?

Renowned scientist Vaclav Smil explores energy in all its facets – from the inner workings of the human body to the rise of modern industry and the race for more efficient and eco-friendly fuels. From the laws of thermodynamics to the latest developments in wind, solar and geothermal power, Energy: A Short History sheds light on the invisible network of energy that shapes all our lives, and how our daily decisions affect energy consumption.