![Smith, Delia & Eno, Brian & Kelsey Fry, Jamie PREORDER NONFICTION New Delia Smith: Us [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/smith-delia-eno-brian-kelsey-fry-jamie-delia-smith-us-2026-9781837267385-1249170005_{width}x.jpg?v=1784119692)
![Biden, Joe PREORDER NONFICTION New Joe Biden: Promise Me, America [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/biden-joe-joe-biden-promise-me-america-2026-9781399844291-1249170008_{width}x.jpg?v=1784119780)
![Brubaker, Ed & Phillips, Sean PREORDER NONFICTION New Ed Brubaker: Five Gears In Reverse: A Criminal Book [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/brubaker-ed-phillips-sean-ed-brubaker-five-gears-in-reverse-a-criminal-book-2026-9781534333208-1247353298_{width}x.jpg?v=1783176520)
![Babitz, Eve & Anolik, Lili PREORDER NONFICTION New Eve Babitz: Too L.A. [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/babitz-eve-anolik-lili-eve-babitz-too-l-a-2026-9781805467816-1246544616_{width}x.jpg?v=1782849431)
![Carr, Katie & Carr, Toby PREORDER NONFICTION New Katie Carr: Moderate Becoming Good Later [2023]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/carr-katie-carr-toby-katie-carr-moderate-becoming-good-later-2023-9781800076105-1246153490_{width}x.jpg?v=1782492759)
Prepare to view the world through a new lens - SPEED - a groundbreaking exploration that challenges your perceptions of life's driving force, from the internationally bestselling author
'There is no author whose books I look forward to more' Bill Gates
'There is perhaps no other academic who paints pictures with numbers like Smil' Guardian
In a world that feels like it's moving faster than ever, Smil examines how our relentless pursuit of speed - in areas such as production, travel and communication - shapes not only our technological landscape but also our social and environmental realities. And through engaging anecdotes and striking statistics, Smil challenges the assumption that faster is always better.
He invites readers to reconsider the implications of our collective obsession with speed, and its intricate relationship with nature and innovation. For example, he highlights the surprising fact that erosion can actually accelerate mountain growth, and he points out that the rapid adoption of mobile phones - achieving 90 per cent penetration in just nineteen years - reflects historical patterns of technological adoption, suggesting that our world may not be moving significantly faster than in the past.
Whether exploring the tiny mites that can traverse 300 times their body length in a second or the societal impacts of high-frequency trading, Speed invites readers to engage in a more balanced conversation about the role of speed in our lives, in an age defined by haste.
- Publisher Name:Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241754542
- Author:Vaclav Smil
- Publication Date:2025-11-27
Refund Policy
If you are not satisfied with your order in any way, get in touch. We have an excellent customer service record and we will do our best to ensure you are pleased with your purchase.
📄 Exercise Your Right of Withdrawal
Under EU consumer law, you have the right to withdraw from your purchase within 14 days of receiving your order, without giving a reason. To formally exercise this right, use the button below. This is a distinct function separate from our general returns process.
Your right to cancel
If you order online, you have the right to cancel your order within 14 days of receiving your goods, without giving a reason. This cooling-off period runs from the day you (or someone you nominate) receives the last item in your order. To cancel, contact us at shop@chaptersbookstore.com stating your order number and your wish to withdraw from the purchase. Once we've confirmed your cancellation, you have 14 days to send the goods back to us.
Condition of returned items
To be eligible for a refund, your item must be returned unworn, unused and unread, in its original packaging, and in the same condition you received it. You'll also need your receipt or proof of purchase. If your return is based on the item's condition on arrival, please include a photo so we can advise the best resolution.
Faulty or damaged items
Please inspect your order on arrival and contact us immediately if an item is defective, damaged, or not what you ordered. Separately from the 14-day cancellation right above, you're entitled to a repair, replacement or refund on faulty goods for up to two years from purchase, under standard consumer guarantee rights.
This guarantee covers manufacturing faults only, such as printing errors, missing pages, or binding defects present at the time of purchase. It does not cover damage arising from normal use or wear, including creased spines, worn covers, marked pages or general signs of reading. If you're unsure whether an issue qualifies, send us a photo and we'll be happy to advise.
How to return
To start a return, contact us at shop@chaptersbookstore.com. If your return is accepted, we'll send you a return shipping label and instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted. If a return is due to an error on our part, we'll cover the postage cost.
Exceptions and non-returnable items
Certain items cannot be returned, including custom products, special orders, sale items and gift cards.
Trade-In Programme
If you're trading in previously owned books rather than returning a purchase, please see our separate Trade-In Programme terms, which operate independently of this policy.
Refunds
Once we've received and inspected your return, we'll let you know if the refund has been approved. If approved, you'll be refunded automatically to your original payment method. Please allow some time for your bank or card provider to process and post the refund.
Free Delivery in the Republic Of Ireland on all orders over €30. Standard Delivery Charge in Republic of Ireland of €5 for all orders below €30.
Delivery is subject to warehouse availability. Out-of-stock items will be shipped as soon as possible, upon arrival from the manufacturer/publisher. Please take shipping time into consideration.
