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 Best explanation of energy for laymen that I have read. Oct 18, 2008
Jim Conca's book is by far the easiest to read explanation of the science and politics of energy on the market today. He combines his considerable scientific expertise with a remarkable ability to break down complex science into compelling stories that are so simple even young readers can understand them. Aside from his impressive academic credentials, Conca is an dyed-in-the-wool environmentalist, which gives the book added credibility (not that the book needs it). He gives a wonderful geo-history lesson on the origins of various energy sources, and delves into their environmental and economic impacts of how we use them. Anyone who seriously wants to learn about our 21st century energy conundrum and the solutions that are out there (as opposed to simply boosting or bashing wind, solar, nuclear, coal gas, geothermaal, etc) should read this book.
Great for classroom discussion Jun 18, 2008
We used "Geopolitics of Energy" for a class discussion on the current energy crisis at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The students really liked the book because it has a lot of illustrations and charts, allowing them to visualize the issues discussed in the text. The students also liked the fact that the book was less than a hundred pages and they could easily read it in week.
The book is packed with very good factual information regarding the energy crisis problem, and proposes a solution (the so-called "a third, a third, a third"). It also takes a detailed look into the three categories of energy sources available to us. Although the author is a supporter of nuclear energy, the book is very fair and balanced on presenting ALL energy options, and the book ultimately advises to us to keep all energy options on the table (yes, even fossil fuels) in order to achieve a realistic solution by 2050.
If you are wondering why gas prices keep going up at your local gas station, and what we can do about it, then this book is for you. I highly recommend this book for all college students in energy related areas (petroleum engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, etc). This book is a big hit in our department and we currently hand out copies of it to visitors from industry or faculty from other universities.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A stimulating analysis that everyone needs to come to grips with Mar 05, 2008
Energy is a significant factor in determining quality of life. Drs. Wright and Conca provide a broad overview that illustrates through copious graphics, just how important energy is, and what the looming issues are to sustainability of energy--not only for the US--but also for the emerging countries of the world.
While I agree with another reviewer that the lack of footnotes is disappointing, many would see this as a feature, not a bug! For the serious scientist, I do not know of a more concise analysis that frames the significant issues as succinctly (albeit without footnotes). But the real power of the book is how it is targeted for a general audience and lays out the broad brush strokes with enough information that each person can draw their own conclusions regarding the need for immediate and sustained attention to our common problem. In this regard, I think it succeeds admirably.
The book can be thoughtfully read in a couple of 2 or 3 hour sittings. I read mine on an airplane trip and have not stopped talking about it since: with friends, relatives, my electrician, educators, clergy, and Ph.Ds. The logic is clear and the graphics well-chosen and effective to minimize confusion and illustrate the points. This book should not be viewed as a self-contained solution, it is a wake-up call and conversation starter designed to introduce the vocabulary to the uninitiated. Drs. Wright and Conca have started the conversation and I am now participating and encouraging others to do so.
3 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 A good start--3 stars at least Feb 25, 2008
Somewhat disappointing, but worth the read. As I skim the book, I see very few source citations in the text; flipping to the back, I see a list of bibliographic sources not tied to any specific statements.
I was expecting a more scholarly book from two Ph.D. authors. I had hoped The GeoPolitics of Energy would be a source I could use, personally, as I try to make up my mind what needs to be done about energy in the future. Unfortunately, the lack of in-text citations makes it difficult to verify the author's statements.
However, with all that said, The GeoPolitics packs a lot of information into one book. I haven't seen another book that provides as broad of an overview of the implications of continuing with the current, mostly ad hoc, energy policies around the world. Nor have I seen a book that provides such a carefully defined global strategy for an alternative energy policy that recognizes the right of all nations to have access to energy.
Perhaps the publisher made the decision to eliminate in-text citations, thinking that the presence of multiple citations might scare off casual readers. If, so, the publisher erred: without clear citations to indicate the sources of information, the book lacks credibility.
Could a 2nd edition be offered? One that clearly cites every fact? That would be an awesome reference. Or even a Web-version of the book?
The authors have thrown down the gauntlet for rational, responsible, and aggressive action. Dec 16, 2007
Drs. Wright and Conca, in Chapter One, explain the dynamic relationship among four systems that, with a slight stretch of my imagination, dominated ancient science and philosophy beginning with the Greek philosopher Empepedocles and the alchemists for over 2000 years. The four systems they describe, and the elements of antiquity to which I relate them, are the (a) lithosphere (Earth), (b) atmosphere (Air), (c) hydrosphere (Water), and (d) biosphere (Fire [of life]). The premise that everything was formed from these four elements was firmly held until the rise of modern science. Even today, earth, water, air, and fire are not bad symbols for the four states of matter -- solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Imbedded in the first sentence of this paragraph is the coalescence of philosophy and science that was characteristic of the ancients. The rise of industrialism and technology separated them so distinctively that now we see no relationship between the humanistic sciences and natural science, and yet it is human behavior that is responsible for the dire technological, environmental state of affairs with which we are wrestling.
This book is exquisitely written to facilitate the lay person's comprehensive understanding of the history of energy and mankind's behavior that has brought us into this energy predicament. The authors underscore the urgency to re-unite philosophy with nature, humanity with science. Amelioration of our energy/environmental crisis does not require exclusively scientific knowledge, but rather changes in technology and applied science based upon law and public policy, on institutional structures and practices, on habits of consumption, and countless other facets of daily life.
The structure and flow of information from Drs. Wright and Conca in this book provide a poignant lesson plan for political science, natural science, social science and economics programs from junior high school through university levels.
Many questions arise for us from their work regarding what effective activities might overcome the political/social/economical/technological issues that have brought us to this critical juncture in the history of earth. Drs. Wright and Conca have answered the technological questions and thrown down the gauntlet for our nation to cast aside irrational fears and to responsibly, rationally, and aggressively reunite the four elements of antiquity in harmony with the life forms they support.
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