Six Innovations that Made the Modern World - How We Got to Now

Another deep-thinking look at the world that, like "Freakonomics" and "Outliers," make you see familiar parts of your life from a new angle, with a new and (hopefully) improved perspective. My high school students have loved all three books.

An excellent, adventurous journey full of fascinating and informative stories. Each innovation unfolds like a book of fiction. But it's real, and it makes you feel a little smarter. If you like non-fiction done well, this book is for you.

The author has chosen six innovations and some may feel a couple are unusual choices to start with. But he weaves an entertaining story about each and his reasoning is good. The book's a quick read and you really can get into the story.

This work is very well written and accessible to everyone, even when it details complex subjects.
It takes a different look at history, and as such, lends to you a new perspective.
I enjoyed it.
Here is my full review: http://blogyinyang.com/blog1/2014/11/13/how-we-got-to-now-book-review/

Very well written, entertaining with the exactly right measure of detail and history combined with references to current ideas.
I would say it should be required reading for 11th or 12th graders it is so grandiose, ambitious, yet accessible and interesting.

I thought the PBS series was fantastic, but the book is ever better! Absolutely fascinating material but the hook for me is Johnson's irrepressible sense of wonder about the world we live in and how it came to be.

This book is truly remarkable. It was almost possible to put down. The author combined the facts about the innovations that define our world with the fascinating stories behind the breakthroughs. Easy to read with the layman in mind rather than the scientist I read this book in a few hours. This was the best book I have read all year and I am an avid reader. Purchase and enjoy the ride.

I love popular history, and this book is extraordinary in that Steven Johnson uses a unique and creative approach. I have been recommending this to my friends and will be giving copies as Christmas presents. Insightful and fun.

This is a worthy successor to the James Burke "Connections" works of decades past. And just as in his projects, the PBS series accompanying it makes a more complete experience. I learned many fascinating tidbits and trivia, while embracing the bigger picture of technological advances. The chapter on Glass alone was worth the trip! You won't look at your eyeglasses, an air conditioner or a frozen dinner the same way again.

This book is fascinating in the way that it weaves together the histories of so many technologies. For example, who knew that the printing press making books available caused many people to realize for the first time that their vision was bad, which led to eyeglasses and the entire science of glassmaking which led to so many products we use today, including fiber optics. Well-written and extremely interesting!

This highly readable book identifies some of the threats that together build the tapestry of progress. Each step is associated with unintended consequences that magnify and augment our development as a species. Genius plus awareness of he margins between disciplines and openness to opportunity get us to now.

Stevn Johnson recently spoke at a college near here and he was very interesting. I bought the book for my son, because I think it's something he'll be interested. I hope to read it before I give it to him for Christmas. If the book is as interesting as the author, I'm sure I'll relly like it

The Connnections Series on PBS years ago was similiar in concept but done much better. I know the medium was different, TV versus the written word, but Connections tied thinks together much better. Some of the material such as, for example, the ice trade, has been covered in other publications. I expected more from this book.

An amazing book that everyone has to read. It opens up hidden connections of the past and future and explains a staggering effect of inventions on our life. This book made me look at the current trends in our life in a different perspective.

Excellent reading; concise trajectory of early research on the six innovations to modern, everyday applications. Very interesting mix of history, science, engineering, and their political, economic and social ramifications.

Although the introduction was a little dry, the text is fascinating. It is filled with little known facts about the evolution of things we take for granted in our daily lives. My curiosity and need to learn was definitely satisfied by this read.

I was searching for a book that discussed the development of technology and how it influenced and changed our world absent all the political posturing and indoctrination I found in so many books on this topic. I have just finished reading the first unit and if the author remains true to his objective of remaining numeral on the good or evil that resulted this will satisfy my need to let the readers make and defend their value judgements.

excellent book! I enjoy reading science books written for the layman yet many of them either scrimp on the science side or on the laymens side. This book however does neither, it is easy for a non-science oriented person to read, yet it explains the subject as fully as possible. I would definitely recommend if your a fan of, say, Mary Roach.

An interesting approach to an unusual selection of topics. Enjoyed this book and the PBS series immensely. I love the way Steven Johnson lays out such interesting tales about the discovery of so many things we take for granted.

After hearing what the book is about, most people would say "that sounds boring", but the writer was able to put history in an exciting way. I wanted to find out more and frequently find myself telling others about the inventions in this book. This was a college class requirement, but I would read it again for enjoyment.

Wow! After reading I bought several of these as gifts. The ancient threads that got us to now make a fascinating read. Who would have thought to put poison in the water supply in order to purify it?

The solid historical facts served with a light touch give this kaleidoscopic series of vignettes gives us a sparkling perspective on the major technological developments which have brought us to the amazing convenience of lining in this twenty first century.
Peyton Palmore

Extremely interesting and well written book. Enjoyed it immensely. Describes how the human race harnessed and developed what nature provided us. Chapters describe how we developed cold, sound, the concept of time, etc. from the first attempts in our history to the present and what may lie ahead.