From the Publisher
"Sal Basile's conversational style and knack for turning a phrase make Cool a brisk and delightful read." —Christopher Dietrich, Fordham University
"Cool offers a fascinating glimpse into what life was like before the advent of air conditioning and how its acceptance changed society. Well researched and with fascinating stories on every page, Cool is a fast-paced chronicle of one of history's behind-the-scenes stories that many of us take for granted: how air conditioning changed the way we live."—Chuck Campbell, President/CEO, Friedrich Air Conditioning Co."A look at our love affair with air-conditioning. . . breezily anecdotal."—New York Times "Some surprising things you probably don't know about air conditioning."—Los Angeles Times "COOL tells the surprisingly suspenseful story of the development and gradual adoption of air conditioning in the United States. The puckish Basile is more than up to the task, and his copious research pays off: Not only is COOL an informative read, each chapter is strewn with more anecdotes than there are sprinkles on an ice cream cone. Some are hilarious; others, jaw-dropping. Best of all, each chapter leaves you wanting more."—American Scientist"The all-encompassing guidebook to the history of air conditioning, chronicling the numerous gimmicks, failed attempts, con jobs, and eventual successes . . . a surprisingly interesting journey."—San Francisco Book Review ". . .[Basile] demonstrates in his new book Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything that the story of how humankind gradually attempted to overcome the slow torture of hot weather is actually a quite fascinating one."—James Richmond, Richmond Air"Author Salvatore Basile has captured the history of the long, and generally unsuccessful, battle against the hear in his new book, Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything.'" —Bruno Air Conditioning"Snarky. . . entertaining."—Weekly Standard"Charming . . . Much fun . . . short, sharp micro-history."—New Scientist "Fascinating . . . examines the technology and its penetration into American life."—First Things "A joy. . . I wish you coolth!"—KCRW-FM "Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything provides history readers and social science students alike with a review of how air conditioning evolved and changed life in America, and is recommended not just for college collections but for any seeking a pairing of history and lively social insights." Midwest Book Review