Alternative Energy (Essential Science) [Paperback]

John Gribbin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2002 | Series: Essential Science

This series provides a beginner's guide to a wide range of scientific concepts and topical issues affecting our daily lives. "Alternative Energy" examines the economic, environmental and political dimensions of the world's energy problems and examines how these issues are being addressed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Gribbin is an internationally renowned author, broadcaster, journalist and research scientist with a unique capacity for explaining difficult scientific subjects to the widest possible audience. He has written 50 books, amongst which are highly acclaimed titles such as In search of the Double Helix and in Search of the Big Bang.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Plc P/B (November 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0751339776
• ISBN-13: 978-0751339772
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,284,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If only everybody would read this book -, July 6, 2005

By 

Thomas Paarup Pedersen (Aalborg, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alternative Energy (Essential Science) (Paperback)

- transition to a more sustainable energy production would be much easier. I bought this book(let) because it had nice graphics and was cheap. Maybe because of that I was thrilled to find such goldmine of explanation about energy technology. The text is very introductory, yet covers all the basic topics. As someone with a degree in energy technology and quite a bit of knowledge about alternative energy, I would say the book strikes a perfect balance between being correct and easy to read.

Once I read it, what I thought was nice graphics turned out to be stunning! The best I have ever seen in a book. All illustrations look very similar which elevates the overall impression of this little gem.

If you want to know a little about everything in energy technology, I cannot think of a better book than this one. I would highly recommend everyone with any amount of interest in energy technology to read this book.

I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the books in this series :-)

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars alternative energy?, March 11, 2009

By 

Mike Melaney - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alternative Energy (Essential Science) (Paperback)

I purchased this book in hopes of using it in a course I am teaching on alternative energies. If I could rip out the first 30 pages and cross off a few sentences in the remaining pages the book would be a good resource for students to understand alternative energy. However, with the first 30 pages in the book it is nothing more than a book written by Al Gore and all the left wing agendas that go with that. Chapters titled "Energy Addicts" and "Nuclear Power A Failed Promise" do not belong in a book that is supposed to be introducing the subject of alternative energy. Don't waste your money like I did on this book

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick introduction to alternative energy, January 13, 2011

By 

dnk "dnkboston" (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Alternative Energy (Essential Science) (Paperback)

Although this is marketed to adults, this would be appropriate for middle graders. It is clearly written and provides an overview of some of the most important alternative, particularly hydropower, wave power, wind power, solar power, nuclear power and biofuels. It also provides some possible consumer design solutions for homes and automobiles.

It could have done a better job laying out what some of the issues around the alternatives are, particularly the potential for "peak uranium" (it did a thorough job explaining the concepts of limited carbon sources) and the potential economic consequences of using crops and cropland for fuel. Still, this will provide enough information to begin exploring the topics in greater depth.