A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment [Hardcover]

Jay Hakes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 2008

If you’ve wondered about how America can break links between oil consumption, terrorism, and the war in Iraq, A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment will show you how our country can gain energy independence and solve its energy crisis. Written by a top energy expert, this book outlines seven economically and politically viable ways America can more efficiently use and produce energy. Find out how carbon fuels negatively impact our lives and understand the political framework of the energy crisis.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hakes’s insights into the politics of energy make the book especially relevant this voting season, and it would be a good addition…" (Library Journal, September 2008)

"Evenhanded and insightful history…a compelling tutorial for anyone seeking to understand the geopolitical forces that have America over a barrel of oil." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 10, 2008)

"...an outpost of sanity in the mostly absurd babble surrounding the 'energy crisis'" (E & P, September, 2008)

From the Inside Flap

Between rising oil prices, global instability, and environmental deg-radation, most Americans acknowl-edge the need for energy independence. Yet our political dialogue tends to focus more on rhetoric than substance, leaving citizens scratching their heads about what they and the country can do to break free from energy dependence.

A Declaration of Energy Independence takes a nonpartisan, honest approach to energy issues and answers fundamental questions like whether the price of oil will ever go down; whether global warming is a real threat; and whether ethanol and other biofuels make sense in the long run.

As the former head of the Energy Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy, author Jay Hakes had an exclusive, inside look at America'senergy problems. Now, combining un-disputed facts and solid science with historical and political context, Hakes offershis expert insight on the situation and presents viable solutions for a more stable political, economic, and military future for America.

America's addiction to oil isn't just a pocketbook problem; in fact, it represents a grave security threat with even greater long-term consequences than the Iraq War. Far beyond the rising price of gas, our oil addiction puts dollars in the hands of foreign despots and funds international terrorism. In addition, any severe disrup-tion in the flow of oil can leave our military virtually crippled and unable to respond to crises around the world.

America can break out of the energy trap if we approach the issue honestly, intelligently, and with the political will to create a better future. A Declaration of Energy Independence offers a real-world look—without the ideological blinders of the right and the left—at how we got into this mess and, more importantly, provides effective solutions to get us out of it.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (July 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470267631
• ISBN-13: 978-0470267639
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jay Hakes is a widely respected energy analyst, having served as head of the Florida Energy Office and the Energy Information Administration, the data and analytic arm of the U.S. Department of Energy. He has testified before congressional committees on energy matters on more than 25 occasions. He is also the author of A Declaration of Energy Independence (2008), which provides new historical perspective on American oil dependence and suggestions on how to end it. Hakes has also conducted extensive research on the modern presidency. He is currently the director of the Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta. He says of his work: "I love to debunk the view that ideas like hydrogen fuel cells, plans to use U.S. military forces to protect access to oil in the Persian Gulf, and the risks of human activities adding to the the greenhouse gas layer are new. In fact, all have been around for many decades."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Energy Independence - Timely, Cogent, Insightfull, July 11, 2008

By 

Luis M. Zervigon "Concerned Engineer" (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment (Hardcover)

Jay Hake's new book, "A Declaration of Energy Independence" is a must read for the extensive and multifaceted insights offered.

He has a keen grasp of the history of the interplay of world energy demand, and the the political and economic forces that constrain the formation of a constructive energy policy.

His extensive hands on experience in the evolution of US energy policy brings insights to the difficulty of political solutions. He offers thoughtful proposals of politically feasible solutions.

There is a concise and cogent treatment in the chapter titled "Fossil Fuels and Global Warming: A Dangerous Experiment with the Planet."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fair and balanced, December 2, 2008

By 

John J. Beck (Atlanta,, GA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment (Hardcover)

I was very impressed by the objective way this book gives the reader a good understanding of energy policy over the past 60+ years and what we can do to help our dependence on foreign oil. Mr. Hakes covers the politics with fairness and balance and presents the issues without bias. If only outr leaders would listen to half of this, we would be so much beter off and on our way to enery independence.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Energy Independence-what you need to do now, November 4, 2008

By 

C. Woodward "Teacherman" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment (Hardcover)

Outstanding book that needs to be read by the administration and congress. It tells in clear and very readable language what is happening today in our country's energy problems. Written by an author with a wealth of experience in the field, it states clearly what actions need to be taken by our leaders and that we must push them to act, especially congress (presidents can lead but congress really makes change or no change happen).

I especially like his intelligent comments on his "Seven economically and politically viable paths to energy independence". The chapter on "Make Energy Conservation a patriotic duty" is a call to action for all of us and one we need to get leaders at the state and national level to help us make happen.

A well-written book that can be quickly read but you will find yourself going back to reread many pertinent areas.