The Essential Engineer

Why Science Alone Will Not Solve Our Global Problems

By: Henry Petroski

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

From the acclaimed author of The Pencil and To Engineer Is Human, The Essential Engineer is an eye-opening exploration of the ways in which science and engineering must work together to address our world’s most pressing issues, from dealing with climate change and the prevention of natural disasters to the development of efficient automobiles and the search for renewable energy sources. While the scientist may identify problems, it falls to the engineer to solve them. It is the inherent practicality of engineering, which takes into account structural, economic, environmental, and other factors that science often does not consider, that makes engineering vital to answering our most urgent concerns.

Henry Petroski takes us inside the research, development, and debates surrounding the most critical challenges of our time, exploring the feasibility of biofuels, the progress of battery-operated cars, and the question of nuclear power. He gives us an in-depth investigation of the various options for renewable energy—among them solar, wind, tidal, and ethanol—explaining the benefits and risks of each. Will windmills soon populate our landscape the way they did in previous centuries? Will synthetic trees, said to be more efficient at absorbing harmful carbon dioxide than real trees, soon dot our prairies? Will we construct a “sunshade” in outer space to protect ourselves from dangerous rays? In many cases, the technology already exists. What’s needed is not so much invention as engineering.

Just as the great achievements of centuries past—the steamship, the airplane, the moon landing—once seemed beyond reach, the solutions to the twenty-first century’s problems await only a similar coordination of science and engineering. Eloquently reasoned and written, The Essential Engineer identifies and illuminates these problems—and, above all, sets out a course for putting ideas into action.


Photograph of The New York Times Building (c) David Sundberg/Esto

Critic reviews

"Analyzing both historical and contemporary examples, from climate change to public health, Petroski shows how science often overlooks structural, economic, environmental and aesthetic dimensions that routinely challenge engineers. Moreover, he says, sometimes science trails technology, as when engineers had to design the first moon landing vehicles before scientists learned its surface composition. Far from being hostile toward science, Petroski pleads for continued cooperation between science and engineering. When, as Petroski laments, even President Obama has sometimes omitted engineering in touting science, this book could hardly be more timely."--Publishers Weekly

"With customary acuity and variety, Petroski is sure to please his established readership with these interesting disquisitions on technology." --Booklist

Awesome

was comprehensive on Engineering. An eye opener for the curious engineer out in the world.

I love this book. ..

I love this book because of how well written, informative and excited way Doctor Petroski puts the issues forth. His books always get me thinking of engineering issues I never would have thought of before I have read his book. I love all of his books.

Thank an engineer today

What did you like best about this story?

I think Mr. Petroski makes the important point that much of society credits science/scientists with all the advances of technology, but technological advances are primarily the realm of engineers.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had to go look at the Webster definition of "engineer." It said something about applying science. But engineers also apply math as routinely as they do science. It's a shortcoming in siciety due to the subjects available through high school.