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• ISBN13: 9780393066272
• Condition: New
• Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Richard A. Muller | | Hardcover:
| 354 pages | | Publisher:
| W. W. Norton & Company | | Publication Date:
| August 17, 2008 | | ISBN:
| 0393066274 | | Package Length:
| 9.3 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.3 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.5 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 81 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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 Not worth the moneySep 01, 2010
I bought this book mainly because it had a chapter on energy and I'm very interested in that subject area. After reading the book I would have to agree with many of the comments that say this author has a bias and also it would appear some sort of axe to grind with Al Gore. I will try not to touch on what has already been said about the inadequacies of the book.
The most important topic I believe is energy and in this book the author dedicates only three chapters to this very complex problem. One key issue is oil depletion which really if you want to have any insight you must get a book that is totally about oil depletion. On this subject one of my complaints is that the author talks about converting coal to oil. The issue I have is that the author did not talk about any of the environmental consequences that would arise from making coal into oil. The biggest one that even a 5th grader would ask is what is that going to do for the fresh water supplies that are more important to life that would be need for this coal to oil process.
One other issue on the energy front that I think the author simplified way to much is the use of the automobile. While I agree that conservation is the best way to approach the energy problem, the author talks a great deal about putting more technology into vehicles to make them more efficient. The author did not mention the easiest and cheapest way to conserve: walking, biking, riding a bus, and basically relocalizing our living arrangement. Relocalizing is going to happen whether we like it or not so I advise looking into books about this subject.
This is the first review of a book that I have ever been compelled to write. I think these are very complex issues (except for 9/11 conspiracy bunking) and each one should have had a book unto itself. This book doesn't even have any references listed to back up the authors statements. Do yourself a favor and by a nice bottle of wine instead of this book.
 Terrific bookAug 11, 2010
Terrific book. it has cost me a fortune, because I have bought so many copies for my friends...
A needed help to read the papersJun 01, 2010
Its clear that the "for future presidents" means "for those wanting to understand the complex world we live in". And it does that, gives you the basic understanding needed to be able to read the papers and feel you can judge for yourself the leaders decisions on issues that are technical but not only techincal.
so, the contents are excellent but the writing is also pleasant. I read it in 36 hours pretty much without a stop.
and two final comments
a) I never took the time to write a review in Amazon, in spite of the fact that I bought tens of books in this web site, so, this means how much I enjoyed the book
b) I wrote for my friends a text whose title is "21 books one should not miss". Well, this one is one of them
A must.
Getting the science rightMay 27, 2010
Very good book. Helped to clerify what is hype and what the actual science is and how it effects us. Although i do not agee with the last chapter on Global Warming I appreciate his honesty in explaining what the actual science is and what is hype. He supports Global Warming but addresses that it has been played up for politicial gain. I highly reccomend this book to those who are wanting to know about the sciance in the headlines.
Science Over PoliticsMay 20, 2010
Physics has never been easy to understand, yet it is the study of how things work. Without a solid understanding of physics, it would be extremely difficult to invent, create, and revolutionize new products and technologies that could advance our American society. How can one attain a beneficial understanding of physics and how it applies to our modern world without having to go through the trouble of participating in a long and difficult college level program of the subject? Reading Richard A. Muller's book, "Physics for Future Presidents", is one answer.
The author gives an incredible amount of information on a variety of different topics, such as terrorism, nuclear power, space travel, and alternative energy, all from a physics-based perspective. The author explains how physics apply to the most pressing issues of our time, from nuclear reprocessing, to spy technology. For example, Muller scientifically explains that, contrary to common belief, the dirty bomb (an explosive device that releases radioactivity) is nothing to fear because it is completely inefficient, and therefore unable to cause life-threatening damage. He also analyses wind and solar energy, discussing the shortfalls and potentials that each contain based upon a solid understanding of physics.
I personally found the book to be extremely fascinating and difficult to put down. The author took what would have otherwise been a random assortment of confusing dots and zeros and turned them into applicable and captivating data that I could understand perfectly. But what separates this book from the rest is that it is completely devoid of any politics. Rather than politicizing the issues, the author provides the facts, and allows the reader to come to his own conclusions. This gives the impression that the author is not trying to push one perspective over the other, but, rather, is giving the reader the ability to do so himself.
The study of physics has certainly received a negative reputation as of late for its confusing formulas and seemingly random figures. Yet, it can be easy to understand if explained in a simple manner. Richard A. Muller has succeeded in doing so.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with the desire to read a politically neutral analysis of our current American system, especially to anyone with aspirations of every becoming the next President of the United States!
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