{"title":"Gretchen Bakke","description":"\u003cp\u003eGretchen Bakke is a thought-provoking author renowned for her insightful exploration of complex systems in the modern world. With a rich background in anthropology, she delves into the intricate relationships between cultural developments and technological advancements. Her work is particularly celebrated in the \u003cem\u003eScience \u0026amp; Nature\u003c\/em\u003e category, offering readers a unique perspective on how these fields intersect with daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of Bakke's most acclaimed works, \u003cem\u003eThe Grid\u003c\/em\u003e, unravels the history and future of the American electrical grid. With a storytelling style that is both engaging and educational, Bakke examines the challenges and opportunities faced by this essential yet often overlooked infrastructure. Her analysis helps readers understand the vital role of energy systems in shaping society, making complex scientific concepts accessible and stimulating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Gretchen Bakke's collection for a blend of engaging narrative and enlightening exploration, perfect for those interested in the dynamic interplay between technology and culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-grid-by-gretchen-bakke-9781632865687","title":"The Grid","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne of Bill Gates's Favourite Books of 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA revelatory look at our national power grid—how it developed, its current flaws, and how it must be completely reimagined for our fast-approaching energy future.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmerica's electrical grid, an engineering triumph of the twentieth century, is turning out to be a poor fit for the present. It’s not just that the grid has grown old and is now in dire need of basic repair. Today, as we invest great hope in new energy sources—solar, wind, and other alternatives—the grid is what stands most firmly in the way of a brighter energy future. If we hope to realise this future, we need to reimagine the grid according to twenty-first-century values. It’s a project which forces visionaries to work with bureaucrats, legislators with storm-flattened communities, moneymen with hippies, and the left with the right. And though it might not yet be obvious, this revolution is already well under way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCultural anthropologist Gretchen Bakke unveils the many facets of America’s energy infrastructure, its most dynamic moments and its most stable ones, and its essential role in personal and national life. The grid, she argues, is an essentially American artefact, one which developed with us: a product of bold expansion, the occasional foolhardy vision, some genius technologies, and constant improvisation. Most of all, her focus is on how Americans are changing the grid right now, sometimes with gumption and big dreams and sometimes with legislation or the brandishing of guns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Grid\u003c\/em\u003e tells—entertainingly, perceptively—the story of what has been called \"the largest machine in the world\": its fascinating history, its problematic present, and its potential role in a brighter, cleaner future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46855002882284,"sku":"9781632865687","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781632865687.jpg?v=1759260388"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/gretchen-bakke.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}