The Birth of Energy

In Birth of Energy, author Cara New Daggett delves into the historical roots of our modern understanding of energy, tracing its lineage back to the 19th-century science of thermodynamics. Published in 2019, this compelling work spans 277 pages and critically examines how early resource-based concepts of power emerged during the Industrial Revolution. Daggett argues that these concepts are intricately linked to Western capitalist domination and the political dynamics of industrialized labor. By revealing how thermodynamics was utilized as an imperial science to regulate fossil fuel consumption, she challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding energy use today. Birth of Energy is essential reading for anyone interested in the economic, environmental, and political dimensions of energy policy and consumption. Discover how historical perspectives can inform our current energy practices and policies.