The substance of civilization

The Open Library:

Stephen L. Sass's The Substance of Civilization shows that the story of human civilization can be read most deeply in the materials we have found or created, used or abused. They have dictated how we build, eat, communicate, wage war, create art, travel, and worship. Some, such as stone, iron, and bronze, lend their names to ages. Others, such as gold, silver, and diamond, contributed to the rise and fall of great empires. How would history have unfolded without glass, paper, steel, cement, or gunpowder? Sass shows us how substances and civilization have evolved together. In antiquity, iron was considered more precious than gold. Spanish miners in the New World thought platinum, which is more rare than silver, a useless nuisance. The celluloid used in movie film had its origins in the search for a substitute for ivory billiard balls. The discovery ages ago that clay could be fired to make pots was revolutionary; so was the more recent discovery that clay also contains the substance that runs our computers.

Search for “The substance of civilization” downloads:

Visit our Downloads Search page to see if downloads are available.

Borrow "The substance of civilization" Online:

Check on the availability of online borrowing. Please note that online borrowing has copyright-based limitations and that the quality of ebooks may vary.

• Is Online Borrowing Available: Yes
• Preview Status: restricted
• Check if available: The Open Library & The Internet Archive

Find “The substance of civilization” in Libraries Near You:

Read or borrow “The substance of civilization” from your local library.

• The WorldCat Libraries Catalog: Find a copy of “The substance of civilization” at a library near you.