Well, who knew asphalt was so interesting? Not me, for sure. Nor did I realise how integral it has been to building and developing our modern society, as well as causing untold damage to our environment. Nor did I have any idea of its origin or history and the multifarious ways in which it has been used. And now I do, thanks to this fascinating and well-researched book, which I found unexpectedly compelling – although I admit to finding it rather too technical for my unscientific brain on occasion. A thought-provoking and illuminating read.

There are a lot of facts in here, so many facts and I learned a ton! I was, however, kind of lost on the thesis-clearly a lot of research was done but to what end? I fear something critical was buried in these facts. Maybe it's because I also think I missed a section where there was disambiguation over what asphalt specifically is or the various things asphalt can be (which would be useful for Americans as the book definitely uses mostly Britishisms to refer to things) which I know like, oh that's what the book is about but some summary or synthesis would've prepared me better

Fact Gusher. This is one of those history/ anthropology books that gives a LOT of facts very rapidly, without any real critical examination of the central thesis. For a book showing *how* asphalt has been used throughout human history, it is quite good - O'Reilly shows from the earliest human records that we have been using asphalt pretty much since we've been using anything else, including its critical role in Egyptian mummification and even Noah's Ark. For a book trying to make a case of *why* asphalt has been used so extensively... again, it never really examines the central thesis or really makes any kind of solid case here. Which is why I had to deduct a star. Indeed, many of the areas O'Reilly claims that asphalt was a driving factor can be more easily - and completely - explained with factors other than this particular material. Without negating that this particular tool was indeed useful and in at least some cases genuinely necessary for the execution of the events as history records them happening. Still, a truly fascinating read showing the far longer history and much more varied uses of this substance that many modern readers hardly give a second thought. Very much recommended.