Connections by James Burke.

The Highly Acclaimed Bestseller.

How did the popularity of underwear in the twelfth century lead to the invention of the printing press?

How did the waterwheel evolve into the computer? How did the arrival of the cannon lead eventually to the development of movies?

In this brilliant book, James Burke examines the ideas, inventions, and coincidences that have culminated in the major technological advances of today. With dazzling insight, he untangles the pattern of interconnecting events: the accidents of time, circumstance, and place that gave rise to the major inventions of the world.

Why this is a scientific detective story:

• The Hidden Web: Burke shows that history isn't a straight line. It's a web of "connections" where a textile invention in the Middle Ages can spark a revolution in communication centuries later.
• The Big Eight: He focuses on eight specific innovations—including the computer, the airplane, and the atomic bomb—that defined the modern world.
• A Warning and a Hope: He explores how each invention carries enormous potential for both humankind's benefit and its destruction.

🔭 From the Desk of Paul Bracken:
"If you ever saw the BBC documentary series, you know James Burke is a master storyteller. He changed how I look at history. He shows us that science doesn't happen in a vacuum—it happens because of weird coincidences, politics, and sometimes just dumb luck. It's a fascinating read that connects the dots in ways you'd never expect."