# Energy and Civilisation by Vaclav Smil

**URL:** https://community-energy.discourse.group/t/energy-and-civilisation-by-vaclav-smil/33
**Category:** Energy Nerd's Book Club
**Tags:** books-to-consider
**Created:** [7 September 2024 13:22 UTC](https://community-energy.discourse.group/t/energy-and-civilisation-by-vaclav-smil/33 "2024-09-07T13:22:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![HeatherSmith](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/community-energy.discourse.group/heathersmith/32/4_2.png) [@HeatherSmith](https://community-energy.discourse.group/u/HeatherSmith)
#### Post date: [7 September 2024 13:22 UTC](https://community-energy.discourse.group/t/energy-and-civilisation-by-vaclav-smil/33/1 "2024-09-07T13:22:58Z")

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I have read this book - it is a tome. It is [well regarded by Bill Gates](https://www.gatesnotes.com/Energy-and-Civilization). And it has some fascinating work trying to understand the earliest labour advantages gained by fire, tools, domesticated horses and oxen etc. Either this book or another in a similar vein shows how our current energy consumption would be equivalent to 30 [energy “slaves”](https://www.stuartmcmillen.com/comic/energy-slaves/) working for us.

 ![71ej369YA7L.AC_UF894,1000_QL80](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/uploads/community_energy/original/1X/0046163c349dbfae004e20c480728d27bbde8e66.jpeg)