Kara, Siddharth. 2023. Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives. New York: St. Martin's Press. 274 pp. ISBN 978-1-250-32407-8

a Th e refl ection of the sky in the ocean bestows a serene cerulean hue, reminiscent of the coveted cobalt shade once revered by both the Persian Empire and the Ming Dynasty for its illustrious use in art and pottery.Over the course of the 21st century, society has traversed a vast path in recognising the pivotal role of cobalt, a mineral now indispensable in myriad aspects of our lives.Cobalt stands as a ubiquitous mineral, serving as a fundamental component in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that power a plethora of devices, ranging from smartphones and tablets to laptops and electric vehicles.Th e signifi cance of this mineral extends beyond its role in batteries; it plays a critical part in various industrial applications.Today, cobalt fi nds itself essential not only in lithium-ion batteries but also in electric propulsion systems for ships and in the production of superalloys utilised in the manufacturing of jet engines, gas turbines, and magnetic steel.Above this foundational usage lies a realm of gleaming innovation embodied by electric vehicles championed by technology giants such as Tesla, Rivian, Renault, and Volvo.However, beneath this surface of prosperity lies the stark reality of the cobalt industry, particularly in regions like the Congo, where the supply chain originates from copper mines.Th ese mines represent a world unto themselves, where despair looms large.Here, the lives of men, women, and children are burdened by meagre daily wages and human rights violations.In this context, the colour of cobalt shift s from serene blue to a haunting red on the palette of human suff ering.Th e book Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives by Siddharth Kara, published in 2023, is the fi rst of its kind expos of the cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where approximately 75 per cent of the world's cobalt supply is mined in grotesquely inhuman conditions.Th is fi rst-hand testimony of life in the mines is painted in red, as the toll taken on both people and the environment is insurmountable.