Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold

Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold combines science, history, and adventure to chronicle humanity's four-century effort to understand and control cold. The book traces how temperature science led to significant scientific discoveries and practical applications that transformed civilization, while also showing how scientific progress—driven by chance discoveries and individual determination—has enabled people to adapt to and modify their environments. Through this account, Tom Shachtman illustrates how scientific advancement has shaped human understanding of and relationship with the world. The book was adapted into a documentary directed by David Dugan, underwritten by the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which aired on the BBC and PBS's Nova in 2008.