Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology (Anchor Library of Science)

This is a rare type of book: a prophesy of tomorrow. Written in 1986, this brilliant, audacious book, has many prophesies that came true and many that remain to be achieved. Some of the ideas are naive and never made sense in the first place. That said, it is an inspiration to read because of its brilliance and originality.The first half introduces Drexler’s vision of molecular assemblers, which can make anything. (Drexler understands the meaning of "small" better than Steve Martin's sketch of "getting small".) In the second half, he discusses the pros and cons of making such assemblers, among many other topics. For example, Drexler predicts the use of hypertext in a future world - which is exactly what happened when the Internet was invented.The idea of molecular assemblers is the most interesting of Drexler’s visions – and the most controversial. The inspiration for nanotechnology originated from a talk made by Richard Feynman in the 1959: “There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom”. In 1986, "Engines of Creation" must have created quite a sensation and excitement about nanotechnology. However, at the time the idea of molecular assemblers was not considered feasible by some chemists, particularly a Professor Richard Smally. A debate ensued between Drexler and Smally, who claimed that molecular assemblers as envisioned in "Engines" are impossible. As a result, Drexler -- the inspiration and godfather of nanotechnology -- was ostracized by many in this field he helped create (somewhat like what happened to Oppenheimer after running the Manhattan Project). Drexler later founded the Foresight Institute, which makes forecasts about the future with the objective of making responsible "foresight" in their ideas.

Barring our foolishness, a distinct possibility, Drexler describes an incredible and inescapable future. Are we up to the challenge of abundance?

I read several books on nanotechnology that were both more recent and more technically realistic, but this book wowed me with both breadth and depth of vision. Few tomes compare in scope - Godel, Escher, and Bach perhaps? Ending Aging? There presently isn't anything like the clarion call to nanoscale research that this book represents, and it is not a definitive historical artifact for nothing.This is about the best overview of the conceptual space of nanotechnology you can get right now - even after 24+ years. It's brilliant, it's conscise, it's visionary. It *is* a little much. Accept that and enjoy, and it may become your favorite popular science book.I think much of what Drexler proposes is impossible - as impossible as full human consciousness emulation and interstellar travel anyway. It seems to annoy or overwhelm some readers that Drexler goes so far. It bothered me every now and then. Given a century or three, who knows. It's dubious science, as it reaches beyond tested theories, but it is *great* hard science fiction. Plenty of real science, and I found nothing truly erroneous.If you are looking for something grittier, Drexler's newer books (and work) build on this. For second opinions I recommend Soft Machines and Nanomedicine: basic capabilities - they are more scholarship oriented. Read Engines first: it's hard to put down and it covers so much.If you are interested in nanotechnology, read this book.That is all.

Engines of Creation describes the foundations of and the issues surrounding humankind's increasing potential for building molecular machines. (Indeed as we stand here on the verge of 2008, notable accomplishments in nanotechnology continue to be made.) Drexler's "starter kit" comprises what he calls "universal assemblers," which are nanomachines designed for a simple task, such as replacing defective genetic links with healthful ones or bonding one cellular structure to another....I'm impressed with what the author and his peers have deeply pondered on preventing nanotechnological disasters, either from accident or from conscious intention of some malefactor. When one realizes a technology that can terraform planets can also readily destroy them... and us, one becomes a bit careful in how the technology is handled. The entire Part 3 of Drexler's book, "Engines of Destruction," is devoted to this issue....For my complete review of this book and for other book and moviereviews, please visit my site [...]Brian WrightCopyright 2007

I read this book a number of years ago, and it still has a special place in my canon of books on technology and humanity. This is an engaging and lucid look at the future potential, and dangers, of miniturization, nano-scale physics and science meeting together in the form of nanotechnology.The ideas of molecular construction and deconstruction are truly intriguing and scary. Imagine being disassembled molecule by molecule by a nanoconstructor. Or, the idea of creating a crystal rocket out of pure atoms. This book is full of ideas and potentiality, and the ethical questions are perhaps just the tip of this literary iceberg.A great read for anyone interested in future technology and how science and technology are fusing on the cutting edge of reality. You don't need to be a quantum physicist or even a PhD to enojy this book. I read it as an undergrad in college and had a good time with it. It even inspired a sci-fi/fantasy book still in progress.

I read this as research for a forthcoming novel in which nano-technology plays an important part. I found it a well written and easy to understand examination of the possibilities of nano-technology, solidly grounded in our understanding of physics, engineering and biological systems.Engines of Creation was written in the eighties, and while the predictions contained therein have not yet come true, nothing has happened in the intervening period in terms of scientific and technological development that would prove Drexler wrong.

Drexler is the one that they all refer to when discussing nanotechnology. He discusses the concept in a way that I found easy to read, and makes the various points in a clear, concise manner. He actually raises a number of key questions within the text, concerning just how we will define this in the future and how these concepts will impact upon human society.If this is a topic that you have an interest in, or you want to understand how this technology could change the world, then this is where you should start. It will lay the groundwork that will help you make sense of some of the other works out there.

Very interesting however a bit or may be a lot above me however,great read.

This book is exceptionally interesting and informative. links well with nanotechnology lectures

Very satisfied

Sobre el contenido, aún no empiezo a leer el libro. Tengo pendientes unos 5 :( pero estoy seguro de que será muy bueno.La razón de las 4 estrellas, es que el libro parece usado (ver la primera foto) ya que llegó sin celofán y trae algunos rayones que supongo son de la paquetería. Honestamente son contados los libros que me llegan en celofán, pero este es el primero que me llega un poquito maltratado.En segundo y que es el título de mi reseña, la calidad de la impresión deja mucho que desear. La verdad la foto que le tomé no le hace justicia, ya que tomando en cuenta lo medio maltratado que llegó y la impresión: parece un libro pirata :(Tengo más de 80 libros en mi colección y este es el primero que parece pirata. Mi primera experiencia agridulce. No lo voy a devolver, pero si dudaban en comprarlo o no, ya tienen una razón más para no hacerlo.