The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger - Second Edition with a new chapter by the author 2nd Edition, Kindle Edition

Levinson's "The Box" is the most comprehensive, reader-friendly book not only on the usage of the shipping container but the shipping and transportation industry itself. The style, a linear, narrative type, gives both the proper historical context of breakbulk shipping preceding containerized freight to the union battles of the 60's, ending with the explosion of Asian container ports in the second decade of the 21st century. Levinson's detailed narrative is great for both readers with experience in this industry and the general audience.However, on occasion, Levinson will mention very specific terminology that can confuse a reader not familiar with logistics and shipping. Everyone reading this review probably knows what a container looks like, but not the specifics, such as the locking mechanisms and the sides to support the weight of multiple containers. It would have been nice to have more photos to illustrate these parts. For the most part, any figures are tables relating to data; useful, but the space should have been used for pictures. Thankfully, Google is a useful ally.With the book being around 500 pages (the last ~100 are references and citations), The Box approaches the border of being too lengthy, but not verbose. If you are looking for a quick, brief understanding of containerized freight, I would suggest another book or a YouTube video. However, if you'd like to learn the history of shipping, containers, transportation, and its affects, both political and economic, then this book is a must.

Would have appreciated a more global view. The author sometimes repeats ideas, making the book a longer yet entertained read. Would recommend yo skip pages if you got the idea.

Many of the names are familiar if you are into Ports and the shipping industry. How and why the inventions came about is a fascinating historical journey. Locations, risk-takers and actual cost savings are given in real terms. Discussion of barriers and work-arounds that made shipping containers happen worldwide. And it is an enjoyable read too!

This is a fascinating history of containerized shipping. The author has done a whole lot of background research, and there's a lot of footnotes. The writing is clear and informative, and the chapters are organized into coherent sub-topics. It was especially interesting for me with regard to insights into shipping and labor in US ports before containers, the early years of the industry, the role of Malcom McLean as an innovator, and various factors which led to early growth and also early boom and bust cycles.

Interesting overview of the shipping container revolution, but could have been more engaging on this literally world-changing phenomenon!

The original has information on container housing the new version only has information on inter modal shipping and the shipping container business.

This book is a very interesting and readable economic history. The fact that it delves into second-order and third-order effects of containers on manufacturing and transport was especially eye opening. Well worth reading.

I learned a lot about container shipping and how it grew to be the size it is today along with the economic conditions that would allow that growth.

I bought this book for my partner who has a haulage company. He could not put it down, he loved it. He has now taken it to his father to read.

Great book to understand the history of container shipping, the implications to global trade that i've never thought about; and make you think what will the future.

Interesante para aquellos que nos dedicamos a Comercio Exterior. Una fuente que te ayuda a entender mejor cómo una "simple" caja nos ha permitido vivir en un mundo globalizado.

Una bella storia sui container. E di come hanno cambiato la storia (e pure la geografia)

Es un libro de teoría e historia. Imperdible para los que estén interesados en el tema de contenedores marítimos.