Whenever somebody begins to spit poison regarding the evils of capitalism and international trade - there is one thing that I can always point to as simultaneously the greatest debunking and bolstering of their argument: the humble shipping container.
The book goes into the history of the steel box, from its inception to the various regulatory and economic matters that resulted from the birth of the mischievous CONEX box - focusing somewhat on the socio-economic.
Learning about the history of stevedores before the arrival of the intermodal container made me heave in no small way, reminding me of the abject terror I sometimes feel during wildlife documentaries.
The regulatory matters of lobbying and vote-buying that take place during the 70s and 80s are no less inducing of foul belly - seeing the rampant under-table deals and favour-buying is shocking and did the most to hold me spellbound.
Instrumental reading for understanding the shipping space as it exists today.
9/10