Barbara Freese

Coal Barbara Freese

The fascinating, often surprising story of how a simple black rock has altered the course of history. Prized as the best stone in Britain by Roman invaders who carved jewelry out of it, coal has transformed societies, powered navies, fueled economies, and expanded frontiers. It made China a twelfth-century superpower, inspired the writing of the Communist Manifesto, and helped the northern states win the American Civil War.