Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC (in audiobook format).

In "Nuts and Bolts," Roma Agrawal takes us on an enlightening journey through the history and impact of seven seemingly simple inventions that have had profound effects on our modern world. With her background as a structural engineer, Agrawal is uniquely qualified to dissect and discuss the intricacies and innovations of the nail, the wheel, the spring, the magnet, the lens, the string, and the pump.

Agrawal's narrative is both educational and deeply personal, intertwining the technical evolution of these inventions with stories of the often-uncredited scientists, engineers, and innovators who brought them to life. Her hand-drawn illustrations and clear explanations demystify complex principles, making them accessible to readers of all backgrounds.

What stands out in this book is Agrawal's ability to connect the dots between ancient breakthroughs and contemporary technologies. She reveals how the nail, a simple yet essential item, has evolved from Egyptian times to support the construction of modern skyscrapers. Similarly, she traces the lineage of the string from its Neanderthal origins to its role in creating musical instruments.

The book is a tribute to the small, often overlooked components that form the backbone of our complex machinery and everyday conveniences. From dishwashers to spacesuits, Agrawal shows how these basic elements are integral to the devices that shape our lives.

Agrawal's storytelling is a masterclass in making the mundane fascinating. She delves into the social and cultural implications of these inventions, such as the preciousness of nails in preindustrial Britain and the significance of the spinning wheel in India's independence movement.

Narrated by the author herself, the audiobook version adds an extra layer of intimacy to the experience. Agrawal's passion for engineering and her respect for the craft come through in her engaging delivery, making "Nuts and Bolts" not just a book but an experience that celebrates human ingenuity.

Overall, "Nuts and Bolts" is an eye-opening read that will change the way you look at the world around you. It's a testament to the idea that big changes often come from small beginnings, and it's a must-read for anyone interested in the hidden wonders of engineering and technology.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the ARC of this!

I really enjoyed that the audiobook was read by the author. This was a fascinating history of different inventions.

Nuts and Bolts: Seven Small Inventions That Changed the World in a Big Way
Written and Read by Roma Agrawal
Book 269/200
Genre: Science, Engineering, Non-Fiction
Format: Audio/Digital, ARC
Pages/Time: 272/8hr 16min
Published: 2023
Rating: 8.5/10
Narration: 7/10

Agrawal's analysis of humankind's greatest inventions is a thought-provoking and informative read. As a fellow engineer, I loved hearing about the evolution of these inventions and how these small components create items we use every day.

I also greatly enjoyed the Nuts and Bolts highlights the women and men who were integral to the development of each of these seven items that are often overlooked and ignored. This is truly a fascinating read I can't help but recommend for anybody interested in science or engineering!

4+ inventive stars

Roma Agrawal does a fantastic job of combining universal truths of seven small inventions with personal stories in this non-fiction narrative. She explains complicated things in a simple way that is easy to understand. The book is well-organized. I liked the way she brought attention to lesser known (women and BIPOC) inventors who often get overlooked. The story about the woman who invented the dishwasher and started a company was fascinating.

I listened to the audiobook. Agrawal’s pleasant voice, with an easy-to-understand British accent, makes the narrative lively.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nuts and Bolts: Seven Small Inventions That Changed the World in a Big Way was an interesting listen.

In Nuts and Bolts , structural engineer Roma Agrawal examines seven of these extraordinary the nail, the wheel, the spring, the magnet, the lens, the string, and the pump. It mentions how each invention came about or was created and for ones with no known creation date when the first one is mentioned. Each section also gives examples of how each is used today and what items are possible because of these seven small inventions.

I enjoyed the audiobook but I don't think I could have read Nuts and Bolts as a physical read. It is a bit too long and have some items I felt were unneeded. I wanted something that stuck for to the seven inventions and what was made possible by their invention. This had a lot of extra stuff in it.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for a copy of the audiobook.

A real treat for people who like to tinker with things or are just interested in the inner workings of objects. Roma Agrawal is a great teacher - she explains even complicated technical stuff in an engaging and easy-to-understand way - and in the audio version, which she narrates, you can clearly hear her infectious enthusiasm. I loved how she combined history and theory with her personal experience in these stories.

It is refreshing to read a book about engineering written by a woman and a person with non-Western roots. As she writes on her website, "I want to inspire everyone, from all backgrounds, to explore the world around them, to be curious, and maybe discover the exciting world of engineering and science careers along the way. And I think she has succeeded in this book.

Thanks to the publisher, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

[2 Stars]

Interesting but not deeply memorable. I get what Agrawal was trying to do, and think she achieved it quite successfully.....but it just wasn't the story I was looking for.
I probably should have anticipated that this would lean more into history than engineering based on the title

I love this concept and thought this was interesting read! I've recomended it to my dad as I think it would appeal to him but I can see how if your not an engineer/how things work fan this could be a boring read for people. Also, I loved the authors voice!

(4/5 stars) This book scratched an itch in my engineering brain! Renaissance scientists defined six simple machines that were foundational to progress in the world - the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. Agrawal in her survey contends that seven small inventions - the nail, wheel, spring, magnet, lens, string and pump - now make up the foundation of our modern world. I found this book really engaging, and Agrawal uses her expertise to tie things together in an accessible way. Definitely would recommend this if you've ever gone down a YouTube rabbit hole watching How It's Made videos.

This book explores how seven seemingly simple elements—nail, wheel, spring, lens, magnet, string, and pump—underpin engineering innovations throughout history. Diverse examples show how these building blocks enable complex inventions that revolutionize life. The book reveals the outsized impact of elementary components on the advancement of engineering.

This book is brilliant and fun. It includes some personal anecdotes that humanize the inventions. It's fascinating to see how simple objects evolved into the advanced technology of the modern world. The narration by the author was well done.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The basis of this book should be obvious to everyone but, somehow, it’s so easy to take these inventions for granted that I’d never thought of it. From the beginning of humankind, we’ve tried to improve our lives by coming up with gadgets, some taken from nature, others purely human ingenuity. In this approachable read, Roma Agrawal, an engineer herself, explains how these creations came to be. Their history, uses, applications and even possible future technologies that are made possible with these humble inventions. The nail, the wheel, the spring, the lens, the magnet, the string, and the pump, some of their uses are obvious (of course we know that you need nails to build a bridge), but others are mindboggling (how did springs make smartphones possible). I also had no idea that the wheel was not invented for transportation, or how the first televisions worked. The author is obviously very smart, but she makes all the concepts completely understandable, and her narration of the audiobook is really entertaining. Even with my limited scientific knowledge, I grasped everything here. Enjoyable and informative.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Tantor Audio!