Napoleon’s Buttons by Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson (2004). This book explores the role of chemistry in history. It is a brilliantly written narrative of how several chemical inventions changed the course of history and how the people behind these inventions, sometimes inadvertently, contributed to drive entire nations towards making and sustaining wars and to make peace. Even readers with little interest in chemistry will find this book rich in historical insights.
One of my favorite chapters covers Magellan and his crew of 256 sailors, who embarked on a daring journey around the world to open new trade routes for Portugal. Only 18 survived the voyage.
Reflecting on the hardships faced by these explorers over five centuries ago made me reconsider the conveniences we take for granted today: refrigeration, soap, preserved foods, antibiotics, painkillers, and more. In the 15th century, those on long sea voyages faced months at sea without basic resources. Food preservation posed a constant challenge: without preservatives, dried meat molded, and without waterproof containers, grains could not be safely stored. Cooking was risky, especially in poor weather, as ships were highly flammable.
Then there was the issue of nutrition. Humans need vitamin C, but fruits and vegetables couldn’t be stored for months at sea. This deficiency led to illnesses, with no antibiotics, pain relievers, or even antibacterial soap available in the 15th century. Poor hygiene and the absence of countless modern chemicals made life so harsh that the average life expectancy was just 35 years.
This book offers a profoundly eye-opening perspective.