The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager

How interesting can a book about nitrogen be? Based on this book I would say "very interesting." Starting in the lab and proceeding to Big German industrial chemistry with worldwide effects, this author states that without industrial fixed nitrogen Earth could not support its population. Also, explosives and bombs would be much limited. Starting with guano to produce Chilean nitrates, the world almost ran out of fixed nitrogen. This is the story of Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch, both geniuses and leading fascinating, difficult lives in a Germany that needed them but hated or used them.