Fifty minerals that changed the course of history
By: written by Eric Chaline
Publisher: Apple
Published: 2013
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 223
ISBN-13: 9781845435073
Subjects: Social aspects; Civilization; Minerals; History
Description: "Using the word 'minerals' in its broadest sense, Fifty Minerals that Changed the Course of History features the metals, alloys, rocks, and organic minerals and gemstones that humans have used as the building blocks of civilization. ... Weaving strands of economic, cultural, political and industrial history, each entry gives a fascinating perspective on the scope and pace of human development, and the dangers posed by our exploitation of Earth's resources."--Page 4 of cover.
Notes: Originally published: 2012.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Diamond; title: Copper; title: Bronze; title: Alabaster; title: Alum; title: Aluminum; title: Asbestos; title: Amber; title: Silver; title: Clay; title: Arsenic; title: Asphalt; title: Gold; title: Chalk; title: Coal; title: Coral; title: Ivory; title: Slate; title: Iron; title: Kaolin; title: Graphite; title: Gypsum; title: Mercury; title: Potassium; title: Marble; title: Nacre; title: Natron; title: Obsidian; title: Ocher; title: Petroleum; title: Phosphorus; title: Platinum; title: Lead; title: Plutonium; title: Pumice; title: Quartz; title: Radium; title: Sand; title: Saltpeter; title: Salt; title: Flint; title: Steel; title: Tin; title: Sulfur; title: Talc; title: Titanium; title: Uranium; title: Jade; title: Tungsten; title: Zinc.