Electricity is a highly political substance.
The truth of this proposition is undisputably established by this Australian book. It is a remarkable account of the political and economic intrigue surrounding the radical overhaul in Australia of one of the world's most important industries the electricity supply industry. It also illustrates the special difficulties faced by federal countries, such as Australia, in implementing economic reform where state or provincial interests are affected. This is a book not by a politician, government official, economist or lawyer, but by a highly qualified and experienced Australian electricity industry executive, and now consultant, Dr Robert Booth. The ESI, as it is commonly called, is nothing if not complex.