Customer Reviews

From Edison to Enron: The Business of Power and What It Means for the Future of Electricity

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"From Edison to Enron" is an extraordinarily comprehensive and enjoyable historical portrait of the nation's most critical energy supply system, and its indispensable engine of progress and prosperity. This spendid book is as readable as it is rigorous in its fascinating journey through the creation and evolution of the electricity enterprise in the 20th century. What sets Munson's work apart is his probing exploration of the powerful and diverse personalities who collectively shaped what has become the world's largest and most complex machine.

From the creative tensions among Edison, Westinghouse and Tesla, through the monopolistic vision and excesses of Insull, to the overextensions of Ken Lay; this is truly a history of leaders as remarkable as the technologies and business practices they harnessed for the unparalleled benefit of mankind. This also remains a living history as the journey concludes with an insightful glimpse of the innovative opportunities for electricity's even more valuable future. Leadership also remains the most critical and elusive asset in shaping this ensuring destiny.

I really enjoyed learning about Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, Nicola Tesla, and Samuel Insull. Their stories are a lot more interesting than I imagined. I also liked the book's review of new electricity technologies and its description of the policy barriers that block their adoption. Munson makes a strong case for a smaller-scale, more-innovative, less-polluting, more-reliable energy system. I hope lots of lawmakers and regulators -- and others -- will read this book.

"From Edison to Enron" is most timely. With the pending trial of Kenneth Lay, the book explains the Enron debacle and places it within an historical context, both by comparing it to earlier scandals in the electricity business and by explaining how the power trading advanced by Enron continues to transform the industry. The book is also timely because of this winter's skyrocketing energy costs and the growing concern about electricity's unrealiability. It explains the many new technologies that can improve power's delivery and provide more economic opportunities. The book is also timely because of the power industry's enormous pollution. It explains how policies can be reformed so that new technologies are allowed to enter the marketplace and reduce emissions dramatically. The book also offers a fascinating review of electricity's history, explaining how this magical energy source changed our lives. It also offers entertaining portraits of Thomas Edison, Nichola Tesla, George Westinghouse, Samuel Insull, George Norris and others who electrified America. "From Edison to Enron" is very well written and features telling anecdotes. Readers will enjoy this book.

I found this book a totally enthralling read. It is full of fun facts and stories that captured me from the first page. Even if you are not an energy geek, you will find this book interesting. I would almost say this should be a must read for school age kids so that they will grow up knowing what a better world we might have if we changed our mind set regarding our use of energy in this country.

I've worked in the energy business for years and thought I knew most everything there was to know, but I learned a lot from this book. "From Edison to Enron" is very well written; it's full of illuminating profiles of key individuals; and it makes reasonable and business-like arguments for reform of this critical industry. I really liked this book.

Richard Munson's "From Edison to Enron" is the best book available on the power industry, which is the nation's largest and arguably its most important business. Munson provides zest to the story with entertaining profiles of Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, Nicola Tesla, Samuel Insull, Kenneth Lay, and others. He also provides a cogent review of current trends and emerging technologies. Anyone interested in biography and/or business will find this book to be informative, entertaining, and well reasoned.

As you consider Enron's Kenneth Lay going to trial, "From Edison to Enron" provides the necessary historical context. Unlike any of the other Enron books, Richard Munson's explains where Enron fits within the power business. Munson also provides good portraits of Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and Samuel Insull, who has amazing simililarities to Ken Lay, although 70 years ago. This is a really good book.

"From Edison to Enron" is the best book I've read on energy, which, of course, is the backbone of our economy. The book provides compelling portraits of Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, Kenneth Lay, and other industry leaders. It also clearly describes the shortcomings of today's electricity system and offers suggestions for how to enhance innovation, increase reliability, and cut pollution.

This well-written book makes a strong case for a more innovative power system. While setting electricity in an historical context, it explains how we can increase efficiency, expand productivity, and reduce pollution. It shows that both environmentalists and utility executives must change their positions if we are to have clean, sustainable, and reliable energy.

"From Edison to Enron" is a great read. The portraits of key players are engaging and entertaining. The descriptions of modern technologies are clear and easy to understand. The book's suggested reforms are reasonable and offer hope.