The Powerhouse

by Steve LeVine
The Powerhouse cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Science and Innovation
Technical
  • ID: 2733
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780143128328
  • Publisher: Penguin Books
  • Published: 2016-01-26
  • Reviews: 3

The Powerhouse chronicles the journey of a group of U.S. scientists as they work towards a groundbreaking technological advancement in battery technology. Over a two-year period, the book captures the emotional highs, setbacks, and innovations that drive these researchers towards a world-changing battery that could power the next generation of electric cars. This is a story of cutting-edge science and the people behind it, highlighting the potential economic and environmental impacts of their work./n/nThe narrative delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by the scientists, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the competitive and collaborative nature of scientific research. The book also explores the broader implications of their work, positioning the development of advanced batteries as a key driver for global economic growth and sustainability.

Reviews
The Agency Review · 2025-10-16
fascinating 4.20

The book is described as a fascinating story of the battery business, which might seem like an oxymoron but is unpacked in a compelling manner.

This review highlights the book's ability to transform what might seem like a mundane subject into a fascinating narrative. The reviewer appreciates how the book unpacks the complexities of the battery business, making it an engaging read. They find the exploration of the competitive landscape and the personal stories of the scientists involved to be particularly compelling, providing a rich understanding of the technological and economic stakes involved in this field.

Quick quotes

    Steve Levine's The Powerhouse is a fascinating story of the battery business, which we realize sounds like an oxymoron

    So let's unpack that a bit

    It exposes the layers of competition and ambition, aspiration and disappointment behind this great turning point in the history of technology

The Wall Street Journal · 2015-03-12
insightful 4.00

The review provides a fascinating insight into the challenges of scientific advancement, particularly the difficulty of translating scientific victories into practical applications.

This review delves into the intricate challenges faced in scientific advancement, emphasizing the gap between achieving scientific breakthroughs and successfully implementing them in the real world. The reviewer finds the book to be a captivating exploration of the geopolitical and competitive landscape that shapes technological progress. They appreciate the detailed narratives of the scientists and their struggles, making the book a compelling read for those interested in the broader implications of technological innovation.

Quick quotes

    LeVine provides a fascinating insight into the challenges of scientific advancement, especially the difficulty of translating victories in the lab to practical applications

    The book exposes the layers of competition and ambition, aspiration and disappointment behind this great turning point in the history of technology

    Together, they will explore how geopolitics, competition, and the scientists themselves could shape technology's next great watershed

Goodreads · 2015-02-05
captivating 4.50

The book is described as a gripping account of invention, commerce, and duplicity in the age of technology. It is compared to 'A Soul of the New Machine' for its relevance to contemporary times.

This book is likened to a modern-day 'A Soul of the New Machine' for its compelling narrative on the invention and commercialization of advanced lithium-ion batteries. The reviewer highlights the book's exploration of the cutthroat nature of technological advancement, making it a gripping read for those interested in the intersection of science, business, and geopolitics. They appreciate the detailed account of the challenges and duplicity involved in this race for technological supremacy, providing a vivid picture of the stakes involved.

Quick quotes

    A Soul of the New Machine for our time, a gripping account of invention, commerce, and duplicity in the age of technology

    This book is a fast-paced, engaging account of one of this young century's great quests

    It exposes the layers of competition and ambition, aspiration and disappointment behind this great turning point in the history of technology

Appears in Lists