The Material Advantage (Paperback or Softback)

Why are there rich countries and poor countries?

Here is one reason: for more than two millennia, nations and regions that could transform raw materials into manufactured materials have achieved competitive advantage.

In this book, renowned scientist and educator Bernie Bulkin takes you on a whirlwind journey through the history of paper, textiles, food packaging, buildings, transport and electricity, with stories that show why and how competitive advantage happens. Looking to the future, Bernie also addresses the materials that might make and re-make our world in the coming decades, and which characteristics a society must have to be truly successful.

Born in a New Jersey farmhouse, educated on the streets of New York and at several fine universities, Bernie Bulkin is now in the midst of his third career. He spent 18 years as an academic scientist, teacher, then held a variety of industrial management and research positions with BP, including Chief Scientist. Bernie Bulkin has also been a venture capitalist, has been on the board of 14 companies, and has held several senior posts with both the UK and US Government. He is an Emeritus Professorial Fellow of the University of Cambridge and has been a Vice President of the Energy Institute. His radio series, Environment on the Edge, was heard on Voice America and he has contributed regularly to the Huffington Post. He is the author of the 2015 book on leadership, Crash Course and the 2019 book Solving Chemistry. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen in the New Year Honours list 2017.