A non-amorphous hard carbon material, synthesized from Furan-ring containing compounds, is described. These non-amorphous hard carbon materials have a d002 peak in their X-ray diffraction patterns, corresponding to an interlayer spacing of >3.6 Å, along with a prominent D-band peak in their Raman spectra. BET surface area values between 2 m2/gm and around 100 m2/gm can be obtained by controlling the processing parameters of temperature, time and heating rate. The higher surface area HCs—in Li-ion and Na-ion anode configurations—are capable of high charging rates up to 100 C with a cycle life of up to 1000 cycles. Composites of these non-amorphous hard carbons with silicon and lithium compounds are also disclosed.