Heavy going but does focus as much on social costs as structures and functions.
A graphic exploration of select parts of our large-scale infrastructure.
Nott presents a pictorial examination of three potentially fascinating engineered networks—the internet, the electrical grid, and fresh water distribution. His definition of a hidden system as “something we don’t notice until it breaks” is valid enough, and in clearly and repeatedly demonstrating how the three are, for all their benefits, also historical and ongoing sources of “inequality and environmental harm,” he performs a valuable service. But for all the careful research and efforts to lighten the tone with verbal and sight gags, the narrative’s chopped-up quotes and generalized observations, infrequently leavened by specific incidents or examples, slow the pacing to a crawl despite the seemingly endless parade of informal, largely monochrome, blue line drawings, which are packed into small panels and neither animate the discourse nor look often enough beyond localized details to capture a sense of the three systems’ overall size and complexity. Still, if end users who stay the course don’t come away with much clearer big pictures of what happens when they press keys, hit switches, and turn faucet handles, they’ll be more mindful that each of these acts comes with past and current legacies of colonialism, displaced populations, economic and class inequities, hidden agendas, and systemic racism. The human figures suggest racial and ethnic diversity.
Heavy going but does focus as much on social costs as structures and functions. (sketch pages, endnotes, bibliography) (Graphic nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-12536-6
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
Effectively showcases the contemporary brilliance that can come from ancient principles.
An exploration of various modern technologies inspired by origami, the Japanese art of paper folding.
The simple act of folding a piece of paper can become complex quickly. Even readers who have made a paper crane before will be surprised to learn that origami techniques have also helped to create NASA’s newest and biggest telescope, a fast-moving robotic gripper, and an innovative Swiss chapel. Peppered with illuminating photographs and diagrams, the straightforward text moves from the ancient history of origami, through bug wings and mathematics, to solar-powered spacecraft. The common theme, both intriguing and well expressed, is the power and complexity of folding. Included are illustrated instructions for a few hands-on projects that require paper and typical household or classroom items like scissors and a pencil. Interviews with two origami experts, both appearing to be White men, offer down-to-earth advice about following nontraditional career paths like theirs. Also featured is the work of several Asian and/or female researchers. It’s unlikely that readers will retain an understanding of every engineering concept the book describes, but they will gain an appreciation of the interplay between art and science and will be inspired to learn more.
Effectively showcases the contemporary brilliance that can come from ancient principles. (timeline, glossary, source notes, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Nov. 3, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5415-3304-2
Page Count: 104
Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020
PERSPECTIVES
Incomplete and written too soon to be useful.
Looks at the spread, U.S. government response, and impact on daily life of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Near the end of 2019, a highly contagious novel coronavirus strain was believed to have jumped from a bat or a pangolin to a human in a wet market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, leading to a worldwide pandemic. Written in the past tense just a few months into the crisis, the book uses information available through May 2020, making it a record of the early effects of this quickly changing situation. Anecdotes about the cancellation of major life events such as proms and baseball games and the difficulties of online schooling demonstrate the day-to-day effects on individuals, but important context—such as emerging scientific understanding of how the virus is spread—is often missing. There is no mention of anti-mask agitators or those who believe the virus is a hoax or political ploy. Quoting mainly voices from the U.S., even when discussing the situation abroad, the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Indigenous, and communities of color is not mentioned. The cover image shows a woman of East Asian descent with a stethoscope dressed in personal protective equipment, but the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes is never discussed. Wet markets, which exist worldwide, including in the U.S., are presented as an Asian phenomenon.
Incomplete and written too soon to be useful. (source notes, resources, further reading, index, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-15)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-6782-0018-3
Page Count: 80
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
