"The Invention of Air" is a riveting exploration of the life and legacy of Joseph Priestley, an 18th-century intellectual who left an indelible mark on science, religion, and politics. A close friend of leading figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Priestley's pioneering work laid the foundations for ecosystem science and the discovery of oxygen, shaping the scientific methodology of his time. Furthermore, his theological insights led to the establishment of the Unitarian Church. Steven Johnson masterfully weaves a narrative that chronicles Priestley's profound influence on the American Enlightenment and the nation's founding principles. The tale transcends the bounds of biography, as it provokes a reassessment of the era's luminaries and the very roots of modern America. Through Priestley's enthralling story, this book invites readers to consider the confluence of ideas that spurred innovation and the societal structures that enabled them.