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Force

What It Means to Push and Pull, Slip and Grip, Start and Stop
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( 51 ratings, 16 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The book Force by Henry Petroski delves into the intricacies of engineering triumphs and the physical and conceptual forces that drive them. It explores how principles of design and engineering shape the world around us, providing insight into the combination of scientific innovation and human ingenuity. Through historical examples, it illustrates the transformative impact of engineering on society and the challenges faced in creating complex structures.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intersection of science and engineering, as it explores the principles of force and their real-world applications. It delves into the stories behind historical engineering feats and failures, offering a unique perspective on the physical forces that shape our world.

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An eminent engineer and historian tackles one of the most elemental aspects of life: how we experience and utilize physical force

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An eminent engineer and historian tackles one of the most elemental aspects of life: how we experience and utilize physical force.

“Another gem from a master of technology writing.”—Kirkus Reviews

Force explores how humans interact with the material world in the course of their everyday activities. This book for the general reader also considers the significance of force in shaping societies and cultures.

Celebrated author Henry Petroski delves into the ongoing physical interaction between people and things that enables them to stay put or causes them to move. He explores the range of daily human experience whereby we feel the sensations of push and pull, resistance and assistance. The book is also about metaphorical force, which manifests itself as pressure and relief, achievement and defeat.

Petroski draws from a variety of disciplines to make the case that force—represented especially by our sense of touch—is a unifying principle that pervades our lives. In the wake of a prolonged global pandemic that increasingly cautioned us about contact with the physical world, Petroski offers a new perspective on the importance of the sensation and power of touch.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Henry Petroski's Force is celebrated for revealing the integral role of engineers in society, with reviewers noting its entertaining and illuminating stories. Petroski's vivid writing enlivens complex scientific concepts with sensory details, offering a joyful exploration of force that combines psychology and physics. The book is praised for its diverse analysis of force, encompassing everything from everyday activities to significant engineering feats, and it is regarded as both informative and delightful.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300274134

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 24 October 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 47 b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 328

About the Author

Henry Petroski is the author of nineteen previous nonfiction trade books, including The Pencil and The Evolution of Useful Things, which consider the invention, design, and cultural significance of common objects. He is a distinguished professor emeritus at Duke University.

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