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The Book. The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization - Inspirational Science Books for Adults - Unique Artifact - Knowledge Encyclopedia with Over 400 Pages of Detailed & Catchy Illustrations
Learn history easily with The Ultimate Guide To Rebuilding A Civilization.Structured book.The world history ancient civilizations book contains 400 pages with discoveries in main medicine, basic materials, mechanisms, military arts, hearth and home, farming, entertainment, musical instruments, and society. We combined a clear structure, high-quality texts, and detailed images to completely immerse you in the story.Elegant coffee table book.Exhale after a long day of work, open educational and entertaining books for adults on any page, and be carried away to another universe of amazing discoveries. Our interesting books for men look like a masterpiece, so you can hold it in your hands and turn the pages with pleasure.For homeschooling & satisfying curiosity.Learn more about inventions that significantly influenced human history. Use the book of knowledge to study history with your children or to expand your horizons. There's nothing better than immersing yourself in some of the world's best stories after a long day.Inspired by a childish dream.The Hungry Minds history books was born thanks to the tireless interest of a child. What would I make a bow string of if I lived in the Middle Ages? This is one of the questions that came to our founder when he was little. He thought about it before bed and checked the facts in the morning. The book combines research interests, scientific facts, and talented drawings, so that every child, regardless of age, can enjoy history.Perfect gift.If your loved ones are interested in history, and how different mechanisms work, if they like to analyze and read, they will definitely enjoy the inspirational books for men, women, and kids. Our history gifts for men and women are great for any occasion - as birthday or Christmas gifts.Order The Book How to Rebuild Civilization now and learn more about the most important human inventions!
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 21, 2025
Would I pack this book in my bugout bag if the end were near?
No. I'd tear a few key pages from it and hoof it.
Is it interesting and beautifully illustrated?
Yes.
Is it worth the $120 price tag?
No.
Is it worth half that?
Yes.
Now, if I were truly rebuilding society and had a team, skilled in all the necessary fields to execute the contents of the book, would I bring it then?
Yes.
90% of the contents laid the groundwork for the modern world we enjoy today.
So, in essence, this is a good jumping off point for those interested in learning some basic, fundamental survival information like: starting a fire or making penicillin. Though it's not going to help you build a set of binoculars or a gasifier. For the more complex items, you'd need to do your own research and put together a companion reference guide. And then maybe hire a team of experts to execute it.
But let's be real, this isn't really a book about rebuilding society. It's a book about innovations and inventions which were pivotal to the modern world we enjoy today. Plus, it's a fascinating read and it does prompt the mind to ask questions and that's always a good thing.
No. I'd tear a few key pages from it and hoof it.
Is it interesting and beautifully illustrated?
Yes.
Is it worth the $120 price tag?
No.
Is it worth half that?
Yes.
Now, if I were truly rebuilding society and had a team, skilled in all the necessary fields to execute the contents of the book, would I bring it then?
Yes.
90% of the contents laid the groundwork for the modern world we enjoy today.
So, in essence, this is a good jumping off point for those interested in learning some basic, fundamental survival information like: starting a fire or making penicillin. Though it's not going to help you build a set of binoculars or a gasifier. For the more complex items, you'd need to do your own research and put together a companion reference guide. And then maybe hire a team of experts to execute it.
But let's be real, this isn't really a book about rebuilding society. It's a book about innovations and inventions which were pivotal to the modern world we enjoy today. Plus, it's a fascinating read and it does prompt the mind to ask questions and that's always a good thing.
May 14, 2023
An interesting book in that it gives hints of how various objects needed for anything greater than a primitive civilization are built and how they work. I say hints because on many pages there are many complicated things that are assumed to be simple. If you are doing metal work, smelting ore into useful metal may require a handful of types of ore with no clue how to obtain that ore. When chemistry is mentioned, some chemicals are quite toxic, yet no realistic information on dealing with these toxic subjects is mentioned.
Overall the book does give a broad overview of many items and gives clues on how you might build these items.
Overall the book does give a broad overview of many items and gives clues on how you might build these items.
January 28, 2024
4.5/5 🌟
A great guide to learn about all kinds of topics to be able to survive and enjoy life.
The illustrations on every single page were probably the best part of the book, but I also learned a ton of stuff that I never thought of before. Do you know how penicillin is made? If not, you should definitely look it up.
I especially enjoyed the first third and the last third of the book, where it is all about basic survival skills as well as the more entertaining sides of society, e.g. art, music, games, storytelling, fancy food. The middle of the book includes a lot of complicated explanations about engineering, chemistry, physics and the like, which went right over my head. I might have skipped a few paragraphs because of that.
There is also quite a lot of humour hidden inside. The book inserts itself from time to time in the illustrations. There are fun references to spot, such as a hidden laser sword among more traditional weapons, which form a well-known throne from a certain fantasy book series. Or a depicition of Medusa looking into a mirror. And the written text itself can be quite fun as well.
A great guide to learn about all kinds of topics to be able to survive and enjoy life.
The illustrations on every single page were probably the best part of the book, but I also learned a ton of stuff that I never thought of before. Do you know how penicillin is made? If not, you should definitely look it up.
I especially enjoyed the first third and the last third of the book, where it is all about basic survival skills as well as the more entertaining sides of society, e.g. art, music, games, storytelling, fancy food. The middle of the book includes a lot of complicated explanations about engineering, chemistry, physics and the like, which went right over my head. I might have skipped a few paragraphs because of that.
There is also quite a lot of humour hidden inside. The book inserts itself from time to time in the illustrations. There are fun references to spot, such as a hidden laser sword among more traditional weapons, which form a well-known throne from a certain fantasy book series. Or a depicition of Medusa looking into a mirror. And the written text itself can be quite fun as well.
September 23, 2023
This book was one of the most beautiful, joy bringing, useful things I bought this year. It is divinely illustrated in a steam punk style and depicts the basic functioning of most of humanity's most important achievements. Should civilization collapse, I hope who survives will find this amidst the rubble of my house and be able to restart. Of course I feel many things should of been described better, especially childbirth. But it would realistically take hundreds of books to go more in depth of most things, this is a meant to be a quick guide. But all in all it is a wonder to behold and a collectors item.
A must have in everyone's library. Buy it. Really. I hope it gets translated in other languages too.
A must have in everyone's library. Buy it. Really. I hope it gets translated in other languages too.
January 31, 2024
⭐REVIEW: The Ultimate Guide To
Rebuilding A Civilization
🤔 Have you ever imagined visiting the past with full
knowledge of modern information and technology? If
you told people from the Middle Ages or Ancient Egypt
about a telephone, a car, or electricity, they would take
you for a deity or a superhero. But do you actually
know how these things work?
📌 Most people know very little about how such
inventions of our civilization, like a plow, a mill, a blast
furnace, or glass are made and how they work. Most
people have no idea and never desire to discover how
the things that make our civilization work.
📖 This catchy, witty compilation of inventions, filled
with beautiful illustrations, is a wonderful gift for
collectors, enthusiasts, and curious minds.
✨ The intriguing illustrations that combine engineering
drawings and medieval art depict the structure of
devices and materials in many forms, throwing you into
a beautiful world of structures, objects, processes, and
inventions.
👨🎨 The art creatively employed to explain things is one
of the most fascinating I've seen recently. Don't get me
wrong, I love books, but this was almost divine. I lose
myself reading this art book, which spikes my curiosity
and makes me eager to understand how things work in
our civilization.
Why should I read it❓
📌 If you are fascinated by technical, military, medical,
and artistic inventions, you will undoubtedly love this
book. If you ever wonder how beer, silk, roads, wine,
coffee, lightbulbs, and electricity are made and work,
you must check this book out.
📖 This book is for anyone who wants to expand their
horizons and is never satisfied with learning new
things. It is for those curious minds who never want to
settle and retain their childlike nature.
Rebuilding A Civilization
🤔 Have you ever imagined visiting the past with full
knowledge of modern information and technology? If
you told people from the Middle Ages or Ancient Egypt
about a telephone, a car, or electricity, they would take
you for a deity or a superhero. But do you actually
know how these things work?
📌 Most people know very little about how such
inventions of our civilization, like a plow, a mill, a blast
furnace, or glass are made and how they work. Most
people have no idea and never desire to discover how
the things that make our civilization work.
📖 This catchy, witty compilation of inventions, filled
with beautiful illustrations, is a wonderful gift for
collectors, enthusiasts, and curious minds.
✨ The intriguing illustrations that combine engineering
drawings and medieval art depict the structure of
devices and materials in many forms, throwing you into
a beautiful world of structures, objects, processes, and
inventions.
👨🎨 The art creatively employed to explain things is one
of the most fascinating I've seen recently. Don't get me
wrong, I love books, but this was almost divine. I lose
myself reading this art book, which spikes my curiosity
and makes me eager to understand how things work in
our civilization.
Why should I read it❓
📌 If you are fascinated by technical, military, medical,
and artistic inventions, you will undoubtedly love this
book. If you ever wonder how beer, silk, roads, wine,
coffee, lightbulbs, and electricity are made and work,
you must check this book out.
📖 This book is for anyone who wants to expand their
horizons and is never satisfied with learning new
things. It is for those curious minds who never want to
settle and retain their childlike nature.
July 19, 2024
This is a fun coffee table book! You must understand, this book is more of an artistic endeavor-a survey of lots of things! The illustrations are gorgeous and the quality is decent. Do not count on depth or instructions/blueprints. It was a frivolous purchase for me, but I predict it to be endlessly enjoyable for flipping through. I didn’t pay out of pocket, really, just with saved-up gift cards—-it’s very expensive, and perhaps not worth full price? As long as you stay with the perspective that this more entertainment than education, most will enjoy.
February 21, 2025
Some of the negative reviews I've seen for this book aren't taking it on the merits of what it is. Instead they're looking at what they want it to be.
If you're going into this expecting a how-to book on rebuilding civilization, it's not for you. This isn't a prepper manual.
It's an art book. A wonderfully illustrated art book that's a great conversation piece, a prompt for further reading and research, or just a lovely way to while away a few hours.
If you're going into this expecting a how-to book on rebuilding civilization, it's not for you. This isn't a prepper manual.
It's an art book. A wonderfully illustrated art book that's a great conversation piece, a prompt for further reading and research, or just a lovely way to while away a few hours.
June 21, 2023
Waited a long time dor this book, and it was worth every minute. It’s a big heavy book, but if the apocalypse starts tomorrow this has to travel with me ;-)… some parts are even useful now. (Like I’ve been looking for a clear recipe to make chocolate, trying this one out this weekend) + very beautiful illustrations!
December 4, 2023
In the spirit of a lot of older works, or an encyclopedia, a collection of a (rather idiosyncratically chosen) popular-level guide to how a lot of basic inventions work. I'll keep it on my shelf but there are better older books. I took a star off because the physical binding on this edition is poor; it's already tearing off and I've barely started to handle it.
June 13, 2026
wow, i'm thankful enough for the link in the comment i found under a tiktok post, allowing me to download freely the compressed pdf of this book (btw, is this illegal? 🤔😅)
i've learnt a lot of things thanks to this big book, but i honestly think i won't need all of the informations i just read..
in the end, i truly thought this was a sort of joke/satire, or made by people who just arrived on a planet and, well, want to build a civilisation... but for humans like us, already established on Earth.. most of what i learnt won't be useful anytime soon
that's why i think this book was partly unserious (unwillingly or not)
there were so many interesting informations on different topics, as a curious being, i thought it was really cool! i did keep a lot of those stuffs, highlighted and bookmarked what i thought i could use/need some day (even recipes?)
not to mention the illustrations!! it really added more depth and understanding to the book, and there were absolutely gorgeous!
oh, and the «sex toys» part had me on the floor, crying as i laughed too much 🤣
interesting in some way, but definitely funny
glad i didn't have to spend £120 to get to read it, but i'll definitely keep the pdf around, we never know🤷🏻♀️
S.
i've learnt a lot of things thanks to this big book, but i honestly think i won't need all of the informations i just read..
in the end, i truly thought this was a sort of joke/satire, or made by people who just arrived on a planet and, well, want to build a civilisation... but for humans like us, already established on Earth.. most of what i learnt won't be useful anytime soon
that's why i think this book was partly unserious (unwillingly or not)
there were so many interesting informations on different topics, as a curious being, i thought it was really cool! i did keep a lot of those stuffs, highlighted and bookmarked what i thought i could use/need some day (even recipes?)
not to mention the illustrations!! it really added more depth and understanding to the book, and there were absolutely gorgeous!
oh, and the «sex toys» part had me on the floor, crying as i laughed too much 🤣
interesting in some way, but definitely funny
glad i didn't have to spend £120 to get to read it, but i'll definitely keep the pdf around, we never know🤷🏻♀️
S.
December 26, 2024
This book was amazing. Starting from the idea to the intricate and lovely drawings that include so many Easter eggs from pop culture. However many explanations are really not detailed enough to diy. I realize that it would be impassible to do this in a single book but in some topics that I was more knowledgeable I realized that the information could be presented better and more complete.
November 16, 2024
Grazie Stefania è bellissimissimo
Read
February 3, 2025Briefly touches on a plethora of humanity’s inventions paired with lush illustrations. The chances of me ever actually using this information is practically nil.
Want to Read
December 6, 2025You know when someone loves you by the thought he or she puts into thinking about you in a gift they give. I am so looking forward to this book as part of my home school reading material. I was stuck for science projects and now I am going to have a huge supply of projects from real life to read through and understand. My dad bought this book from the publisher and it will arrive in January.
The book is expensive but it is not the cost that is important. It is the thought behind the gift. My dad says this book will inspire me and encourage me, and the many reviews here say the same idea. I really wish I could write this as an update instead of as a review - but Goodreads....
The book is expensive but it is not the cost that is important. It is the thought behind the gift. My dad says this book will inspire me and encourage me, and the many reviews here say the same idea. I really wish I could write this as an update instead of as a review - but Goodreads....
January 19, 2026
The best book I own in my 1100+ collection. Hands down.
November 13, 2024
READ THE GERMAN VERSION - ISBN: 978-3-911408-00-4
Deine Hochkultur ist den Bach runtergegangen und Du hängst mit den letzten paar Menschen auf der Erde fest? Hast keine Ahnung, wie es nun weitergehen soll? Nun, dieses Buch wird Abhilfe schaffen! Eine Menge Wissen und geniale Illustrationen können Dir dabei helfen, eine neue Zivilisation zu gründen!
Zu „THE BOOK – Der ultimative Wegweiser zum Wiederaufbau einer Zivilisation“ von Hungry Minds
FAKTEN
Das Werk „THE BOOK – Der ultimative Wegweiser zum Wiederaufbau einer Zivilisation“ von Hungry Minds ist im Deutschen im September 2024 beim Verlag We Mind Publishing erschienen. Es ist ausschließlich als hochwertiges Hardcover erhältlich.
KURZMEINUNG
Ansprechend, wie lehrreich gestaltet, beinhaltet dieses Werk tatsächlich eine Menge Wissen, das sowohl als Überlebensguide als auch Nachschlagewerk fungieren kann. Großartig!
KLAPPENTEXT
Lernen Sie Geschichte einfach mit dem ultimativen Leitfaden zum Wiederaufbau einer Zivilisation.
Strukturiertes Buch. Das Geschichtsbuch über antike Zivilisationen enthält 400 Seiten mit Entdeckungen in den Hauptbereichen: Medizin, Grundmaterialien, Mechanismen, Militärkunst, Herd und Heim, Landwirtschaft, Unterhaltung, Musikinstrumente und Gesellschaft. Wir haben eine klare Struktur, hochwertige Texte und detaillierte Bilder kombiniert, um Sie vollständig in die Geschichte eintauchen zu lassen.
Elegantes Coffee-Table-Buch. Atmen Sie nach einem langen Arbeitstag aus, öffnen Sie auf einer beliebigen Seite lehrreiche und unterhaltsame Bücher für Erwachsene und lassen Sie sich in ein anderes Universum erstaunlicher Entdeckungen entführen. Unsere interessanten Bücher für Männer sehen aus wie ein Meisterwerk, sodass Sie es gerne in den Händen halten und die Seiten umblättern können.
Für Homeschooling & zur Befriedigung von Neugier. Erfahren Sie mehr über Erfindungen, die die Menschheitsgeschichte maßgeblich beeinflusst haben. Nutzen Sie das Buch des Wissens, um Geschichte mit Ihren Kindern zu studieren oder Ihren Horizont zu erweitern. Es gibt nichts Besseres, als nach einem langen Tag in einige der besten Geschichten der Welt einzutauchen.
Inspiriert von einem kindlichen Traum. Das Geschichtsbuch von Hungry Minds entstand dank des unermüdlichen Interesses eines Kindes. Woraus würde ich eine Bogensehne machen, wenn ich im Mittelalter leben würde? Dies ist eine der Fragen, die unserem Gründer in seiner Kindheit kamen. Er dachte vor dem Schlafengehen darüber nach und überprüfte die Fakten am Morgen. Das Buch vereint Forschungsinteressen, wissenschaftliche Fakten und talentierte Zeichnungen, damit jedes Kind, unabhängig vom Alter, die Geschichte genießen kann.
SCHREIBSTIL & MEHR
Dieses Werk hat mich schon beim Aufschlagen begeistert. Die Illustrationen sind großartig. Durch den Zeichenstil hat man direkt den Eindruck, man schlägt ein uraltes Werk auf, das vor Hunderten Jahren geschrieben wurde, um den Menschen dereinst zu helfen, wieder auf die Füße zu kommen.
Auch die Texte sind nicht etwa umständlich geschrieben. Vielmehr leiten sie in einer gut zu lesenden und verständlichen Sprache Schritt für Schritt an, was im jeweiligen Fall zu tun und/oder zu beachten ist.
THE BOOK ist für mich sowohl Nachschlagewerk als auch Lexikon und Überlebensguide. Manche Angaben mögen eventuell veraltet sein, aber sie werden funktionieren. Den Verfassern dieses Werkes war es nämlich ein Anliegen, alles möglichst korrekt darzustellen – und das merkt man durchaus.
Neben dem vielen Wissen macht dieses Werk auch einfach Freude, wenn man es durchblättert. Man stolpert dann hin und wieder über Dinge, die man nur halb wusste oder über die man sich vorher noch nie Gedanken gemacht hat. Es ist zwar kein Buch, um es in einem Rutsch durchzulesen – weshalb es auch so lange gedauert hat, ehe ich meine Rezension geschrieben habe –, aber man kann darin dennoch nach Herzenslust schmökern.
Die Gliederung hilft auch dabei, einzelne Themen schnell zu finden. Wir haben beispielsweise Unterteilungen wie Mechanik, Pflanzen, Spiele, Medizin und mehr. Ein Füllhorn für Interessierte, Wissbegierige und solche, die gern in solchen Werken stöbern.
Nun, ich könnte mir jetzt einen Wecker herstellen, mein Immunsystem anregen oder versuchen, mir eine Belagerungsmaschine herzustellen. Wobei ich es gleichermaßen sinnvoll wie unnötig finde, Waffen mit einzubeziehen. Aber man kennt den Menschen. Und Waffen dienen ja auch zum Jagen, nicht nur zum gegenseitigen Bekämpfen …
Das Werk erhebt keinesfalls den Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit und einige Themen hätten mich tatsächlich noch ein wenig mehr in der Tiefe interessiert, jedoch schlägt sich das nicht negativ auf dieses Buch hier nieder. Denn es gibt ja zu dieser Zeit noch andere Quellen, die ich dazu befragen kann. ;)
FAZIT
Ein rundum stimmiges Werk, das in seiner Aufmachung und textlichen Gestaltung ansprechend und leicht verständlich ist. Es lädt ein zu Schmökern, seinen Wissensdurst zu stillen und dabei Freude zu haben. Ich finde, das ist eine gelungene Mischung!
©Teja Ciolczyk, 13.11.2024
Deine Hochkultur ist den Bach runtergegangen und Du hängst mit den letzten paar Menschen auf der Erde fest? Hast keine Ahnung, wie es nun weitergehen soll? Nun, dieses Buch wird Abhilfe schaffen! Eine Menge Wissen und geniale Illustrationen können Dir dabei helfen, eine neue Zivilisation zu gründen!
Zu „THE BOOK – Der ultimative Wegweiser zum Wiederaufbau einer Zivilisation“ von Hungry Minds
FAKTEN
Das Werk „THE BOOK – Der ultimative Wegweiser zum Wiederaufbau einer Zivilisation“ von Hungry Minds ist im Deutschen im September 2024 beim Verlag We Mind Publishing erschienen. Es ist ausschließlich als hochwertiges Hardcover erhältlich.
KURZMEINUNG
Ansprechend, wie lehrreich gestaltet, beinhaltet dieses Werk tatsächlich eine Menge Wissen, das sowohl als Überlebensguide als auch Nachschlagewerk fungieren kann. Großartig!
KLAPPENTEXT
Lernen Sie Geschichte einfach mit dem ultimativen Leitfaden zum Wiederaufbau einer Zivilisation.
Strukturiertes Buch. Das Geschichtsbuch über antike Zivilisationen enthält 400 Seiten mit Entdeckungen in den Hauptbereichen: Medizin, Grundmaterialien, Mechanismen, Militärkunst, Herd und Heim, Landwirtschaft, Unterhaltung, Musikinstrumente und Gesellschaft. Wir haben eine klare Struktur, hochwertige Texte und detaillierte Bilder kombiniert, um Sie vollständig in die Geschichte eintauchen zu lassen.
Elegantes Coffee-Table-Buch. Atmen Sie nach einem langen Arbeitstag aus, öffnen Sie auf einer beliebigen Seite lehrreiche und unterhaltsame Bücher für Erwachsene und lassen Sie sich in ein anderes Universum erstaunlicher Entdeckungen entführen. Unsere interessanten Bücher für Männer sehen aus wie ein Meisterwerk, sodass Sie es gerne in den Händen halten und die Seiten umblättern können.
Für Homeschooling & zur Befriedigung von Neugier. Erfahren Sie mehr über Erfindungen, die die Menschheitsgeschichte maßgeblich beeinflusst haben. Nutzen Sie das Buch des Wissens, um Geschichte mit Ihren Kindern zu studieren oder Ihren Horizont zu erweitern. Es gibt nichts Besseres, als nach einem langen Tag in einige der besten Geschichten der Welt einzutauchen.
Inspiriert von einem kindlichen Traum. Das Geschichtsbuch von Hungry Minds entstand dank des unermüdlichen Interesses eines Kindes. Woraus würde ich eine Bogensehne machen, wenn ich im Mittelalter leben würde? Dies ist eine der Fragen, die unserem Gründer in seiner Kindheit kamen. Er dachte vor dem Schlafengehen darüber nach und überprüfte die Fakten am Morgen. Das Buch vereint Forschungsinteressen, wissenschaftliche Fakten und talentierte Zeichnungen, damit jedes Kind, unabhängig vom Alter, die Geschichte genießen kann.
SCHREIBSTIL & MEHR
Dieses Werk hat mich schon beim Aufschlagen begeistert. Die Illustrationen sind großartig. Durch den Zeichenstil hat man direkt den Eindruck, man schlägt ein uraltes Werk auf, das vor Hunderten Jahren geschrieben wurde, um den Menschen dereinst zu helfen, wieder auf die Füße zu kommen.
Auch die Texte sind nicht etwa umständlich geschrieben. Vielmehr leiten sie in einer gut zu lesenden und verständlichen Sprache Schritt für Schritt an, was im jeweiligen Fall zu tun und/oder zu beachten ist.
THE BOOK ist für mich sowohl Nachschlagewerk als auch Lexikon und Überlebensguide. Manche Angaben mögen eventuell veraltet sein, aber sie werden funktionieren. Den Verfassern dieses Werkes war es nämlich ein Anliegen, alles möglichst korrekt darzustellen – und das merkt man durchaus.
Neben dem vielen Wissen macht dieses Werk auch einfach Freude, wenn man es durchblättert. Man stolpert dann hin und wieder über Dinge, die man nur halb wusste oder über die man sich vorher noch nie Gedanken gemacht hat. Es ist zwar kein Buch, um es in einem Rutsch durchzulesen – weshalb es auch so lange gedauert hat, ehe ich meine Rezension geschrieben habe –, aber man kann darin dennoch nach Herzenslust schmökern.
Die Gliederung hilft auch dabei, einzelne Themen schnell zu finden. Wir haben beispielsweise Unterteilungen wie Mechanik, Pflanzen, Spiele, Medizin und mehr. Ein Füllhorn für Interessierte, Wissbegierige und solche, die gern in solchen Werken stöbern.
Nun, ich könnte mir jetzt einen Wecker herstellen, mein Immunsystem anregen oder versuchen, mir eine Belagerungsmaschine herzustellen. Wobei ich es gleichermaßen sinnvoll wie unnötig finde, Waffen mit einzubeziehen. Aber man kennt den Menschen. Und Waffen dienen ja auch zum Jagen, nicht nur zum gegenseitigen Bekämpfen …
Das Werk erhebt keinesfalls den Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit und einige Themen hätten mich tatsächlich noch ein wenig mehr in der Tiefe interessiert, jedoch schlägt sich das nicht negativ auf dieses Buch hier nieder. Denn es gibt ja zu dieser Zeit noch andere Quellen, die ich dazu befragen kann. ;)
FAZIT
Ein rundum stimmiges Werk, das in seiner Aufmachung und textlichen Gestaltung ansprechend und leicht verständlich ist. Es lädt ein zu Schmökern, seinen Wissensdurst zu stillen und dabei Freude zu haben. Ich finde, das ist eine gelungene Mischung!
©Teja Ciolczyk, 13.11.2024
March 28, 2026
they lost me on the page about creating soap but that's okay, all the pictures are still gorgeous
October 11, 2025
I got this book as a birthday present and it is an amazing piece of visual art. The imagery is stunning; there are many memes, historical parallels, and the quality of the pictures is amazing. The text is weaker, especially if you compare it to Ryan North’s “How to Invent Everything.” Actually, I am not sure whether this book should be read as one single piece or if it’s just a so-called coffee table book? But actually, I loved it—there are still a lot of new things I learned and the visuals are just breathtaking!
October 17, 2025
Idea di base molto interessante ma richiede delle conoscenze di base che una normale persona non ha in caso di uno scenario apocalittico.
November 23, 2024
Кніга ў чымсці паўтарае энцыклапедыі фармата "усё аб усім", якія чытаў у дзяцінстве, але яе адрознівае падыход, дзе нібы цэлёвай аўдыторыяй з'яўляюцца людзі будычыні, якім трэба з нуля ствараць цывілізацыю. Кніга вельмі прыгожая візуальна (таму раю глядзець папяровую версію) - некаторыя малюнкі здзіўляюць мастацкай фантазіяй, хаця часам і пужаюць. Пры гэтым тут крыху спрэчны выбар тэм - напрыклад, у частцы пра базавае выжыванне ёсць артыкул пра гатаванне мыла, з рэферэнсамі ў бок фільма "Байцоўскі клуб". Ці даволі спрэчны выбар артыкулаў да той часткі, якая тычыцца грамадства. Шчыра кажучы, некаторыя моманты выглядаюць занадна недарэчна, што крыху псуе агульнае уражанне.
February 7, 2025
The illustrations are a work of art. Information wise I learned more from a different book with a similar aim of teaching how to reinvent civilization.
February 18, 2024
The intersection of whimsy and wisdom. If you wonder is it worth the money the answer to quote another brilliant book is yes a thousand times yes. Learn new and old skills wonder over stunning illustrations and ponder maybe as a species we can do big things better
August 4, 2024
Loved this so much! The artwork is incredible and this book does indeed cover most of the basics to keep humanity going. Definitely keeping this on my shelf in preparation for the collapse of society.
September 2, 2024
Great coffee table book.
December 13, 2024
Not the best for information but aesthetics are 10/10.
January 22, 2025
Diverse, informative, well crafted, and beautifully illustrated. A must have for any book collection.
March 16, 2026
First of all, this team did not skimp on presentation. The book itself is oversized, beautifully cloth bound with silver gilded type and decoration. Each page is a faux-aged color with ink-and-watercolor illustrations and a cohesive crosshatched style throughout. A neo-Victorian futuristic steampunk and cyberpunk style makes even the most modern technology feel tangible and understandable. It can't be overlooked how sumptuously illustrated this book is. Every single page is a lavish spread of artwork that often overshadows the text with its detail. It's tempting on first read to just flip through the pages first and revel in the artwork without even taking in any of the information because the design is so compelling.
The premise is that in the event of a civilization-destroying event, this manual would guide a person through re-inventing the most crucial parts of society from the ground up.
All of the processes are illustrated and labeled so that one feels as if the goal might actually be obtainable. Categories included are culinary, military, communications, infrastructure, textile, and many more. I love the robust breadth of inventions, machines, processes, and approaches included. Generally speaking, each section begins with the most primitive tools or processes involved and works its way into more elaborate mechanics, as if an actual reader needed the foundational information to work his way into the headier applications. Page numbers are included for prerequisites explained in other sections. My only complaint is that after a while things get so complex that summarizing them on a single two-page spread becomes untenable, and the process almost immediately falls out of reach for the untrained (unspecialized) civilization builder. The pacing between simple to follow real life instructions to vague high-level instructions is awkward.
Now, I realize that this is partly unavoidable: get too far into the weeds of details and the book would become dense and unreadable. It's meant mostly for entertainment, not for genuine instruction. However, it swings from reading like a believable informational guide to making generalized statements such as calling for a pure chemical compound without really providing instructions for procuring said chemical much less purifying it, or else throwing out nonspecific statements like "a high ratio of X to Y," or "this must be balanced delicately" that suddenly require a suspension of disbelief instead of a feeling of trust that the process is possible. (Again, probably a nitpick since this format makes it somewhat unavoidable, but it makes the reading experience a bit less cohesive.)
CW: It is worth noting that while this book is generally all-ages and would be a fascinating study even at an elementary level for students seeking to understand how materials function together to create familiar inventions for common purposes, it does contain the occasional jarring obscenity and several instances of topless or fully nude women. (On the page teaching knot-tying and its uses, a busty topless mermaid is pictured caught in a rope net; on the page demonstrating the stages of water sanitation, several nude women are depicted showering together, etc.) And although the authors had the propriety to withhold it from the final print of the book, they did include in the supplementary material --a booklet tucked into the back of the book-- a spread of how one might go about making and using sex toys. ...because of it's "vital use" in building your civilization, obviously. I guess parents could remove the offending pages or tape them together, but a casual flip through the book leads the reader to assume that it's all educational and not realizing that this is included and presented this way is an unwelcome surprise.
The premise is that in the event of a civilization-destroying event, this manual would guide a person through re-inventing the most crucial parts of society from the ground up.
All of the processes are illustrated and labeled so that one feels as if the goal might actually be obtainable. Categories included are culinary, military, communications, infrastructure, textile, and many more. I love the robust breadth of inventions, machines, processes, and approaches included. Generally speaking, each section begins with the most primitive tools or processes involved and works its way into more elaborate mechanics, as if an actual reader needed the foundational information to work his way into the headier applications. Page numbers are included for prerequisites explained in other sections. My only complaint is that after a while things get so complex that summarizing them on a single two-page spread becomes untenable, and the process almost immediately falls out of reach for the untrained (unspecialized) civilization builder. The pacing between simple to follow real life instructions to vague high-level instructions is awkward.
Now, I realize that this is partly unavoidable: get too far into the weeds of details and the book would become dense and unreadable. It's meant mostly for entertainment, not for genuine instruction. However, it swings from reading like a believable informational guide to making generalized statements such as calling for a pure chemical compound without really providing instructions for procuring said chemical much less purifying it, or else throwing out nonspecific statements like "a high ratio of X to Y," or "this must be balanced delicately" that suddenly require a suspension of disbelief instead of a feeling of trust that the process is possible. (Again, probably a nitpick since this format makes it somewhat unavoidable, but it makes the reading experience a bit less cohesive.)
CW: It is worth noting that while this book is generally all-ages and would be a fascinating study even at an elementary level for students seeking to understand how materials function together to create familiar inventions for common purposes, it does contain the occasional jarring obscenity and several instances of topless or fully nude women. (On the page teaching knot-tying and its uses, a busty topless mermaid is pictured caught in a rope net; on the page demonstrating the stages of water sanitation, several nude women are depicted showering together, etc.) And although the authors had the propriety to withhold it from the final print of the book, they did include in the supplementary material --a booklet tucked into the back of the book-- a spread of how one might go about making and using sex toys. ...because of it's "vital use" in building your civilization, obviously. I guess parents could remove the offending pages or tape them together, but a casual flip through the book leads the reader to assume that it's all educational and not realizing that this is included and presented this way is an unwelcome surprise.
June 9, 2026
For the actual content with a $120 USD price tag, I give this a 3 max, but it gets an extra star for presentation. This book is gorgeous inside and out. The cover looks beautiful and has a soft texture like felt on it. It's not as heavy as I would have expected a hardcover book of over 400 oversized pages to be. I could honestly imagine stuffing it in a go bag for emergency situations.
Except, it's not as useful as I expected so I would find better books for that space. It's a great overview of many topics, beautifully illustrated in a steam steampunk style, but the topics I would need at the end of the world - identifying plants for food, making fire, shelter and figuring out medical care - need to be more comprehensive than this.
Areas that are already over my head - the sciences that lead to electricity, engines and modern technology- are still beyond my understanding from this. Maybe someone more knowledgeable could use it, but when I'm struggling to even understand how the vacuum device in the 18+ insert page even works this guide isn't guiding.
Since buying, I've seen alot of reviewers call this a coffee table book and it really is. Also something great to have in a waiting room or bathroom. Anywhere that a person may be idle, without their cell and looking for a distraction to flip through, this book would be perfect. It's eye-catching and you can find lots of interesting tidbits, but if you sit down to actually read it from cover to cover it loses its appeal pretty quickly. I just hope if/when it all goes wrong, we haven't done away with libraries that have physical copies of textbooks and other guides that will be alot more thorough and helpful than this. Because I'm 100% likely to forget this on my coffee table if I have to bug out.
They really do gets props for packaging, though. That and their advertising has been very good. I suddenly saw this being an ad spot for many YouTubers I follow and once Simon Whistler's attached to selling it, I had to check it out. It isn't everything I expected or really wanted it to be, but I don't regret getting it and paying the full price for a new copy.
Except, it's not as useful as I expected so I would find better books for that space. It's a great overview of many topics, beautifully illustrated in a steam steampunk style, but the topics I would need at the end of the world - identifying plants for food, making fire, shelter and figuring out medical care - need to be more comprehensive than this.
Areas that are already over my head - the sciences that lead to electricity, engines and modern technology- are still beyond my understanding from this. Maybe someone more knowledgeable could use it, but when I'm struggling to even understand how the vacuum device in the 18+ insert page even works this guide isn't guiding.
Since buying, I've seen alot of reviewers call this a coffee table book and it really is. Also something great to have in a waiting room or bathroom. Anywhere that a person may be idle, without their cell and looking for a distraction to flip through, this book would be perfect. It's eye-catching and you can find lots of interesting tidbits, but if you sit down to actually read it from cover to cover it loses its appeal pretty quickly. I just hope if/when it all goes wrong, we haven't done away with libraries that have physical copies of textbooks and other guides that will be alot more thorough and helpful than this. Because I'm 100% likely to forget this on my coffee table if I have to bug out.
They really do gets props for packaging, though. That and their advertising has been very good. I suddenly saw this being an ad spot for many YouTubers I follow and once Simon Whistler's attached to selling it, I had to check it out. It isn't everything I expected or really wanted it to be, but I don't regret getting it and paying the full price for a new copy.
May 20, 2026
My brother has this book on his coffee table and lent it to me the last time I visited. It’s an interesting idea, and beautifully bound and illustrated, but it’s more about a conceit and vibes than actual practical guidance. Some of the really basic things (start a fire, find and filter water, knot-tying, basic compass navigation) you could actually do solely based on the text in the book, but other elements (e.g., medicine, mechanics and technology, martial arts and warfare, agriculture) are going for a broad overview and sort of “gee whiz, look at all the cool stuff humans have managed to do!” rather than actionable guidance about everything included (as the disclaimer at the front says). It is an interesting catalogue of human ingenuity, and I found the framing conceit (in the brief introduction, alluded to in a couple of other places) that the author of The Book has witnessed and tried to prevent the collapse of multiple civilizations and The Book is his attempt to help to be fascinating. I learned scattered bits about a lot of things, really got a kick out of some of the more whimsical illustrations (like a sort of steampunk set of DJ turntables), and appreciated the function as a conversation starter (why it works as a coffee table book I guess) but don’t think it’s anything earth shattering.
January 9, 2025
Credo che questo libro sia stato scritto come ode alla biblioteca in quanto istituzione di pubblica utilitá. Infatti la fruizione di questo libro non puó avvenire se non tramite prestito bibliotecario, secondo me. É un'opera strana e curiosa, ma non posso credere che esista un pubblico a cui é davvero rivolta, oltre all'autore e ai suoi conoscenti. L'idea alla base del libro é carina, ma per esaurirla bastavano 50 pagine. In effetti, peró, é cosí lungo e poderoso che nell'eccesso trova anche un perché, una certa bellezza. I disegni sono belli (alcuni), carini (molti), dimenticabili (troppi). É troppo buffo e fantastico per essere preso seriamente, come una para-enciclopedia. É troppo lungo e inutilmente dettagliato per poterne fruire come di un'opera fantastica. Il prezzo é senza senso, semplicemente.
Credo sia un'operazione puramente estetica. Ed é giusto che non venga ristampata mai. Da prendere appunto in biblioteca, leggerlo con attenzione per non rovinare la carta, e riconsegnarlo il giorno dopo. Ma anche no.
Credo sia un'operazione puramente estetica. Ed é giusto che non venga ristampata mai. Da prendere appunto in biblioteca, leggerlo con attenzione per non rovinare la carta, e riconsegnarlo il giorno dopo. Ma anche no.
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