Thursday, April 14, 2011

Brilliant: the Evolution of Artificial Light

Brilliant: the Evolution of Artificial Light
By Jane Brox
Houghton Mifflin, 2010, 360 p., nonfiction
Jane Brox has written a very “enlightening” and readable history of artificial light. Concerned with both the technology and the impact of artificial light on society and culture, she traces light sources from simple lanterns used by early man to modern day electric lights and the power grids required to support them. She describes the way artificial light has transformed human work and leisure as well as animal and human habits and health. The readability of the book is enhanced by her stories about the inventions and inventors of lighting devices. The book closes with chapters discussing light pollution and the need for artificial light in third world countries.
I highly recommend this book to nonfiction lovers.
SH

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