Energy: Perspectives, Problems, and Prospects
"With scientific depth and beautiful writing, Professor McElroy delivers the benefits of his wide-ranging teaching and research to readers of this book. His lively narrative traces the human uses of energy from early human history to today's dependence on coal, oil, and natural gas. With the help of realistic, telling, and well-chosen examples, he drives home the scale of our current dependence and sketches pathways to the future. A very important and engaging book!" -- Ralph J. Cicerone, President, National Academy of Sciences"This is a book that makes it possible for a reader either to drill down in a dozen specialized areas (with never a dry hole), or to look down from 50,000 feet in order to see the grand pattern (without haze). Given the tremendous amount of information presented, it is especially useful that the author pauses repeatedly to summarize. It is also very important (and rare) that he cleanly separates his personal opinions from the factual content. As a result, it is possible to trust this book for the tremendous quality of its information. This is what they used to call a magisterial work. I would call it a grand tour in the company of a learned guide." -- Leon Fuerth, former National Security Advisor to Vice President Al Gore and Research Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University"This is a fascinating and beautifully written book on energy, the 'lifeblood of human enterprise.' McElroy has accomplished nothing less than unifying the two cultures of the sciences and the humanities." -- Yuk Ling Yung, Professor of Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology