MP3 Audio Sample
Short Synopsis
A fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have influenced the course of history, Napoleon's Buttons offers a new understanding of the shaping of civilization and the workings of the contemporary world.
Full Synopsis
Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance—which, in turn, can result in great historical shifts.
With lively prose and an eye for colorful and unusual details, Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson offer a novel way to understand the shaping of civilization and the workings of our contemporary world.
Author Jay Burreson, Penny Le Couteur
Narrated by Laural Merlington
Publication date Oct 10, 2011
Running time 12 hrs
Available Formats
audio download