Book of the Month - January 2017

The magical mechanics behind our everyday lives.

More often than not, non-engineers do not know or appreciate how much engineering is involved in every aspect of urban life. The mechanical details of the metropolitan conveniences some of us take for granted are overlooked, but they are vital in maintaining the momentum of city life.

In Science and the City: The Mechanics Behind the Metropolis, Laurie Winkless guides us through the different categories of the city, such as materials and energy, to draw a detailed map of how it all connects. Although each chapter begins in layman’s terms for the less informed, it gradually delves into more detail on the terminology and technology that can be appreciated by both professionals and those who are purely curious.

The book includes illustrations of mechanical systems to help visualise the construction of certain milestone feats of engineering. Winkless keeps a balanced world view, by researching thoroughly, touching upon future possibilities, and introducing disadvantages of systems that have been labelled environmentally friendly.

All in all, the book manages to paint a lively and active picture of the magical mechanical veins that run above, below and through our cities to connect our daily lives.

Science and the City: The Mechanics Behind the Metropolis, by Laurie Winkless, is published by Bloomsbury at £16.99.