Product Description
Addressing the sustainable energy crisis in an objective manner, this enlightening book analyzes the relevant numbers and organizes a plan for change on both a personal level and an international scale—for Europe, the United States, and the world. In case study format, this informative reference answers questions surrounding nuclear energy, the potential of sustainable fossil fuels, and the possibilities of sharing renewable power with foreign countries. While underlining the difficulty of minimizing consumption, the tone remains positive as it debunks misinformation and clearly explains the calculations of expenditure per person to encourage people to make individual changes that will benefit the world at large.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 20 reviews)

Probably the best book ever (on energy consumption topics) by Daniboy

5 Stars
November 08, 2009
This book is by far the best book I've seen regarding this topic, it engages the reader right from the first page. It's very down-to-earth, setting out to recognize what changes actually makea difference and ways to add up the maths yourself. It's absolutely brilliant; I'm going to buy it to everybody in my family and make sure they read it fast. If you don't read much, say a book a year or less, this should definitely be the one to read this year.

Essential reading by Derek Dearden (Hampshire, UK)

5 Stars
November 03, 2009
This is by far the best book I have read on these crucially important topics of Sustainability and Climate Change. It's absolutely comprehensive. Every single aspect of the problems are analysed in meticulous detail, and numbers calculated for all the key statistics. As he says, he's not pushing specific solutions but making a plea for any solutions that are proposed to be grounded in reality. The sad fact is that most of what is spoken on these issues is prejudiced, uninformed and unrealistic.

Necessary reading for this time. by Lewis T. Fitch (Clemson, SC)

5 Stars
October 30, 2009
The author takes the energy requirements of modern society and matches them against the possibilities of sustainable energy sources, wind solar, hydro, tidal, etc. By reducing eacy type to a commom evergy standard, he comes to meaningful conclusions as to how fossil fuels can be relpaced.Each number used is referenced for accuracy, and simple calculations show what will be necessary for the future.

Serious Physics can also be fun by Noel E. Thompson (Australia)

5 Stars
October 05, 2009
Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air is a brilliant and entertaining introduction to the Energy Dilemma: We are using so much fossil fuel that we inevitably will cause catastrophe through global warming inside one hundred years, AND we will run out of economic fossil fuel, which is currently a necessity for the way we live, but most countries have no sustainable source of renewable energy. The book is so good because it addresses the fundamental question of "What do I believe" with really simple physics (and yes there are some equations)for the energy we use, and the energy we can generate. Scientists have known for one hundred years that this is the only way we EVER can know about the future, but we still try to use "proofs" using Aristotelian logic when we talk to the media: it doesn't work because it is, literally "illogical" and while arguing from analogy may help you understand,it does not form a basis for KNOWING. David MacKay also moves to "solutions": which are sound enough for addressing the Fossil Fuel Running Out, but getting from "here" time to "there" time will be too late to save the Arctic: for that we need much greater reductions by 2020. Still, those technologies needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 will come straight out of the simple physics and equations so beautifully presented here. When we look back in ten years and ask, what initiated the rapid shift to lightweight commuter vehicles, shorter legs on international flights, and "passive house" acceptance, I think we will source the movement to these simple equations.

best book on energy I've read by energy lover (NC, USA)

5 Stars
October 05, 2009
The best book on energy I have read. It takes a very complicated subject and tells the story in a clear, concise, entertaining, and understandable manner.

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