Energy for Future Presidents

Energy for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines by Richard A. Muller      Audio Book:  9 hrs., 30 mins       Hardback Book:  368 pages            
Genre:       Energy, Physics, Pros & Cons of addressing topics such as Nuclear Power, Wind Power, Hydro Power etc.

This guy is GOOD.   First of all Richard A. Muller is a professor of Physics at U.C. Berkley and in this book, he breaks down the global energy crisis into totally understandable information that any layman will find understandable.    He explains nuclear power, global warming, wind, solar and hyrdro power and the supply and demand that is occurring so the reader can get a grip on what is available and the pros and cons of each source of energy and its efficient extraction as well as less efficient means of obtaining the energy sources.     He brings so much to the table and I love it that he breaks it down so he isn’t talking over the readers head like he is delivering a speech to a room full of nuclear physicists but instead he presents his findings in a very understandable user friendly kind of way where you actually get it on all he has to say and he also presents it as if the reader is the president of the United States and he is presenting all the options for now and the future of humanity to continue to exist.    He talks about the oil crisis, why prices go up and down, where in the U.S. there are sustainable options in the event the Middle East would refuse to sell or withhold oil from the U.S. due to war, etc.   And yes, there are options out there and I think you find them surprising.    He talks about nuclear plant meltdowns, I had no idea these plants need to be redone from their core underground every 30 years or so till I read it here.   He discusses how fear plays a big role in blowing nuclear plant meltdowns out of control in the public’s mind.     Seems we have less to fear than we realize from a meltdown and that things are contained in a far more controlled environment than we know even during a meltdown.   He discusses Oil Spills, their impact on the environment, their clean-up and safer, less work intensive ways of controlling them.    He goes deeply into global warming and dispels a lot of weather related myths that have gotten into the urban culture but that are not necessarily provable via the statistics currently available.   He talks about the realities of global warming, causations, timelines, etc.     This is a fascinating book and a glimpse at some of the scenarios the President is privy to.    A reality check for the public.   I highly recommend this book to everyone from 5^th grade on up to elderly.   A lot of clear concise information in an understandable format.    Well done, Richard A. Muller.

 - Shirley J.