John Browne - Make, Think, Imagine: Engineering the Future of Civilization

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MAKE, THINK, IMAGINE

John Browne makes a compelling argument about the power of technological progress and its ability to bring prosperity to the global community. He expertly backs this central argument with in-depth historical research, interviews, and his own personal experience to provide a blueprint for future global progress underpinned by the spirit of innovation. It is also a long-overdue tribute to the importance of the engineer in our society. LORD FOSTER , Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners

Make, Think, Imagine is for anyone curious about how our world was created and asks deep questions about our possible future. Lord Brownes beautifully written and easily accessible work breaks down the forces behind our innate desire to create, to point us in the right direction: an inclusive future that gets us a greener, healthier, and safer planet. TONY FADELL , iPod inventor, iPhone co-inventor, Nest founder and Future Shape principal

A fascinating tour de force from someone who has walked the walk but has gone well beyond his own experience to explore the centrality of engineering to our lives and to meeting the challenges of the future. As someone unable even to change a plug, I surprised myself in enjoying a book about engineering so much. ALASTAIR CAMPBELL , writer, campaigner, and strategist

Make, Think, Imagine is a very thoughtful, deep journey through our fast-moving and fast-changing evolution, describing how engineering has and will continue to change the landscape of our civilization. RATAN TATA , chairman emeritus of Tata Sons

Engineering technology is the necessary catalyst for progress in humanity. Its magic! PROFESSOR JAMES J. SPILKER, JR. , Stanford University, co-inventor of GPS and winner of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering 2019

A fascinating overview of the vital roles played by engineers in every aspect of modern life, and an important and optimistic vision of how engineering will be essential to provide a prosperous and healthy future for humans living on our densely populated and increasingly polluted planet. SIR MARK WALPORT , Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government

A compelling tale of humanity embedded in an engineered world: past, present, and future. John Browne opens our eyes in conversation with other experts with this story of improving lives. DAME SALLY DAVIES , Chief Medical Officer for England

In an era of technological advancements, many argue that we are moving too fast and feel threatened by innovation. This remarkable book takes an insightful dive into the past, drawing out some of historys pivotal engineering innovations and demonstrating how they helped civilization solve problems more efficiently. Through his powerful analysis of our past successes and failures, John Browne delivers a clear argument for a brighter, safer, healthier future fully embracing innovation. This book is a must-read for everyone with an interest in improving human life and overall wellbeing. LORD ARA DARZI , Professor of Surgery at Imperial College London and pioneer of robot-assisted surgery

At a time when gloom and pessimism abound, Make, Think, Imagine provides a welcome blast of good news. John Browne, in a compelling and insightful book, shows that we have the creativity, the tools, and the know-how we need to build a brighter future. If we design and use it responsibly, engineered technology can and will make us healthier, safer and more free, wherever we live. We need to grasp the moment and have the courage to see it through. SIR JEREMY FARRAR , Director of the Wellcome Trust

The public is quite unaware of the impact of engineering, and John Brownes summary, I believe, is accurate modern civilisation is primarily based on engineering. PROFESSOR BRAD PARKINSON , Stanford University, co-inventor of GPS and winner of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering 2019

In a time of doubt and pessimism John Browne presents the rational, evidence-based case for optimism and belief in the possibility of human progress. NICK BUTLER , energy commentator, strategist, and visiting Professor at Kings College London

In our time of huge environmental challenges, John Brownes book is a joyful reassertion of the phenomenal problem-solving capacity of human beings. By arguing that engineering is the fundamental driver of all progress, he successfully asserts that there is the real potential for societys problems to be solved and for the world to move forward again. THOMAS HEATHERWICK , designer

Lord Browne has brought together the insights of some of the finest engineering minds on the planet in this elegant love poem to engineering across the ages. A rattling good read. VIVIENNE PARRY OBE , writer and broadcaster

This inspiring, ambitious book celebrates the contributions engineering has made to progress in the past, and explores thoughtfully the role it can play in shaping the future. PROFESSOR DIANE COYLE OBE , University of Cambridge

A call to intelligent and sensitive action. John Brownes directory of a sustainable future gives us hope and the outlines of a roadmap to get there. SIR ANTONY GORMLEY , sculptor

Science and technology have transformed our world. This book argues persuasively that our civilization is dependent on them, and if the world is to prosper then we need to harness both effectively for the future of humankind. SIR PAUL NURSE FRS , Director of the Francis Crick Institute and winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine

Like the engineer he was trained to be, John Browne gathers wisdom from over a hundred innovators, weaves into it his own diverse experience, and reveals a realistic and optimistic fabric of the future. We can get there and John tells us how. VINT CERF , Internet pioneer

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wander the globe, looking behind the curtains of the worlds greatest collections and achievements and discussing them with the people that created them? Browne takes us on a personal and technological tour de force of breathtaking expanse. It is a view that brings art and science back together; that shines a light both forward and back on the good and bad that technology can bring; but that is ultimately optimistic about what we can achieve. Browne rises above todays narrow disciplines to see afresh the world our hands have fashioned. DAVID HALPERN , author of Inside the Nudge Unit and CEO of the Behavioural Insights Team

Browne has written a timely book that connects his deep knowledge of business, culture, history, and science. Make, Think, Imagine is a much-needed antidote to the drift and pessimism gripping advanced industrialised democracies. LIONEL BARBER , Editor of the Financial Times

Lord Browne has written an ode to the ways in which engineering has improved human civilization, from how we communicate, build, use energy, and move to how we explore the universe. Make, Think, Imagine is a joy to read, with interesting historical insights and a vision of a better future. JOHN HENNESSY , Chair of Alphabet (parent company of Google) and former president of Stanford University

John Browne always makes me think. He is ahead of the curve. DAVID MILIBAND , President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and former UK Government Foreign Secretary

MAKE,
THINK,
IMAGINE

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE OF CIVILIZATION

JOHN BROWNE

PEGASUS BOOKS

NEW YORK LONDON

To my father, who told me to get a real job

The authors profits from this book will go to The John Browne Charitable Trust, where they will be used for the education of engineers and support of the arts