Introducing *Carbon Technocracy*, a groundbreaking exploration of the intricate relationship between energy, power, and the devastating impact of fossil fuel extraction through the lens of the Fushun coal mine in Northeast China. This compelling narrative, published by The University of Chicago Press, takes readers on a historical journey detailing how Fushun transformed into a colossal open-pit mine, echoing the ambitions of past Chinese and Japanese states reaching for resources perceived as unlimited.

In his provocative work, Victor Seow unravels the rise of the fossil fuel economy by meticulously documenting how coal became a cornerstone of national wealth and technological progress. Through innovative practices like hydraulic stowage and open-pit mining, the narrative sheds light on the relentless pursuit of energy extraction that shaped national policies and societal structures. *Carbon Technocracy* not only illuminates the myth of an 'inexhaustible' carbon future but also critiques the human cost of such a fossil-fueled dream, where workers have had to endure harsh labor conditions as a direct consequence of industrial advancement.

This insightful text is essential for anyone interested in energy policies, environmental history, and the socio-economic implications of coal mining. Effectively weaved with themes of technocracy and industrial development, *Carbon Technocracy* is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and concerned citizens who want to understand the historical context of energy consumption and its lasting legacy on humanity and the planet.