Beyond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040

By Joseph M. Shuster

If the U.S. solves only its own energy problem, but the world does not, then everyone still loses. Pollution knows no borders and a sinking ship takes down everyone on board. That is why all countries... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592982352
• ISBN13: 9781592982356
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Beavers Pond Pr
• Length: 385 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

indispensable book on energy

I"m a little intimated to follow Mr. Dal's treatise but what the heck. I am compelled to share my enthusiasm for this important, profound book. Not least because it is a fast, relatively easy and often humorous read. To find a non fiction book that is so timely, educational and enjoyable is rare. Mr. Shuster makes a compelling case for how energy truly is at the heart of all of the US problems. I would highly recommend BFF to any one who is looking for a thorough understanding of the energy crisis we are facing. Especially as we watch the debates and evaluate who will be the next president, I have been grateful to have such a detailed understanding of what is at stake and what our options are. No, WE CANNOT "DRILL BABY DRILL" OUR WAY OUT OF THIS CRISIS. It is irresponsible for certain political leaders to suggest we can. After reading BFF, I realize that such simplistic solutions are short sighted and idiotic. I am also thrilled - THRILLED - that at last Mr. Shuster has written a thorough overview on energy for the every day consumer who hears so many conflicting messages shoveled by mainstream media that are often served up as truth. Indeed, one of BFF's great strengths is that it acknowledges and examines the MANY different points of view surrounding this subject (including a host of scientists, political and business leaders) and while it offers the author's opinions, the reader is also invited to think for herself and told plainly what is certain vs what is speculation or opinion. Overall, it is a HUGE wake up call. One can hardly believe the govt - both dems and republicans - have allowed the US to get into such a ridiculous crisis. it's hardly snuck up on us. But given the current financial crisis we are in, I am convinced that it really is as bad as Mr. Shuster predicts - that the govt has been asleep at the wheel, has truly been negligent and incompetent - and that URGENT action is required. Mr. Shuster does a good job being non partisan and assigning equal blame. Thankfully he is not just a doomsayer but offers up some very exciting solutions. in fact, as an entrepreneur, i am excited to see that not only can we get out of this energy crisis, but that we can use it as a source of growth, strength and innovation. with strong leadership, successfully solving the energy crisis is within our grasp. but we can't simply rely on our govt to get the message on its own. if enough of us make enough noise, the media will get it and eventually the govt will too. plus there is plenty that private individuals and enterprise can do that will make a big difference. while it will ultimately require govt action, govt action is not sufficient. its in our individual interest to take steps now - from turning off lights to driving less to investing in alternative fuels etc. I have also bought several copies of this book and sent them to friends, as well as NGOs, energy professionals and media personnel. Read and heed this book!!

Required Reading

This book should be required reading for all legislators, senators, congressmen, etc. Better yet by all voters. Our leadership has been asleep at the oil company wheel while we have missed opportunity after opportunity to lead on the issue of energy production. Thomas Friedman has recently updated his forward-thinking book "The World is Flat" and is now more direct in his criticism of our current President and his administration. Read these books then pass them on. If they don't make you mad and scared, then hopefully they will make you look for opportunity.

A Must Read For All Americans

Shuster has hit the nail right on the head! We have to get our heads out of the Arabian sand as quickly as possible. This book is the alarm clock ringing a wake up call to Americans specifically, but to all humanity in general. It should be a must read for all our political leaders. He succinctly describes our current energy consumption problems, describes "clean" and "popular" alternatives, explains why these will not and can not play more than a minor role in our energy independence and then talks in detail about THE solution. THE solution is nuclear power. Not the nuclear power that the media likes to demonize but new, safer technology using Fast Neutron Reactors. Reactors which use existing nuclear waste as fuel and are 99% efficient rather than "Light Water Reactors" which are only 1% efficient, virtually eliminating the existing waste. These reactors also emit NO carbon dioxide, mercury, nitrogen oxides or other harmful pollutants. He also brings to light the important new agency called the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) which has as it's agenda the nonproliferation of weapons grade nuclear material and the sharing of Fast Neutron Reactor material for power generation. He offers a "timeline" and costs for implementation, which always seems to be missing in books of this nature. The sources and details are very well researched and documented. The bibliography reads like a "Whose Who" of the scientific and engineering world. A remarkably important book arriving exactly at the right time. Read it. Call your Congressional Representative or Senator and demand a nonpartisan "Call to Arms," for the sake of our country and its future.

Finally, a Solution to the Problem of Depletion of Fossil Fuels

This book by Joe Shuster says it all! Read it and use it for a reference. Get 2 copies and pass one on! This book is comprehensive in its scope and provides a good solution which will work if we get some things changed in congress soon. We need to get the fast neutron reactors on line ASAP! This will work! Pass it Forward! M. Allison Lakeville, MN

Read it and Wake up!

This book is something you need to read if you are the least bit concerned about diminishing resources and your life in 10 years. The book addresses a series of concerns - scarce resources, pollution, and costs of energy - that you may have had in the back of your mind, but haven't articulated. It walks you though what the energy - and that's really our lifeblood if you think about it - outlook is for the next thirty years with some hard data. And the outlook is not pretty as population increases and - even with massive conservation efforts - we'll need more energy than we have now. And the stuff to make energy - oil and natural gas - is running out as current prices seem to demonstrate. And coal is a really really dirty fuel. Did you know for example, that a coal fired power plant gives out many more times nuclear radiation than a nuclear plant does? The author proposes the means to get to energy independence - or energy neutrality - within 30 years by a combination of wind, solar, and nuclear power that can be done with current technology at relatively little cost. Heck - if we can spend 70 billion on a police action in Iraq, we certainly can do this. The proposal is well researched, and gives facts and figures that make sense. It's easy to read at any level and amazingly persuasive. Go buy it!