The Coming Energy Revolution: The Search for Free Energy
Although a broad collection of intriguing energy technology research is described in this book, it is annoying to read. Not only does it lack footnotes or references for any technical details but the author consistently asserts that the researchers described have been treated inappropriately and meanspiritedly. For example, Nikola Tesla couldn't obtain adequate funding and so was frozen out of the energy field. John Keely received funding but was pressured for quick results, causing his ruination. One third of the book deals with individuals working on "free/space energy" or "zero-point energy"?the untapped energy that exists in space. The rest of the book deals with other technologies?cold fusion, hydrogen, water hammers, etc.?and the problems their advocates have encountered. While some of these technologies do show promise, the author feels they have all been deliberately suppressed?either by government, big business, or the media. She ignores the practicality question and simply concludes that conspiracy and/or persecution explain why more progress hasn't been made. Not an essential purchase.?Hilary Burton, Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, Cal.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.