Customer Reviews

An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

The book adapts the information already offered by Mr. Gore into a format more friendly for younger generations. I'm not sure why the issue of global warming is so controversial for people. Anyone with a background in science and a genuine understanding of the biology and chemistry of global warming knows that climate change is very real. There is nothing political about it. If you are confused about the issues then educate yourself. Don't go to a website that you feel is politically motivated. You can go to any university and find professors who can explain the science of climate change. I learned about climate change in the 80's while in college, well before I ever heard Al Gore speaking about it. The most frustrating part of this is no longer the reality that life as we know it is changing dramatically and perhaps permanently, but that ignorance has been used as a weapon to create barriers against those sincerely attempting to prevent a global disaster. Why would anyone want to believe in this if it's not real? This is not a happy subject whatsoever! If you have doubts, educate yourself. If you don't understand the science, then please don't assume that what you are being told is or isn't real. Find out for yourself. Educate yourself! This isn't political. Please stop making it so. We are running out of time to do something.

This is the only version of the book available from my library. It is an adaptation of the original book. The pictures and graphs are very informative, but the narrative seemed to be written in very simple language. I would recommend getting the original.

I bought this book in hopes of gaining some insight into the source of all the global warming fuss. (They don't hand out Nobel prizes for nothing, I thought.) It was an easy read, presenting the major points of his argument very clearly. But I was also looking for the background data, or at least some references to the data sources. I was amazed to find no footnotes and no bibliography. Michael Crichton provided more research background in his novel 'State of Fear.'

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's written in a way that everyone can understand, and details how and why global warming is happening, and what we can do about it. The photo comparisons of how the earth has changed in the last 100 years are astounding, and the data presented is indisputable. This book is the wake up call that the world needs to do something about the environment. And for all the people out there who might not like Al Gore, just ignore that it's written by him and judge it based on it's merits. It presents scientific fact, irregardless of the author's political beliefs. In short, if you haven't read this book yet, put it at the top of your priority list.

I had watched the video which Mr Gore made and I found that this book is the written version of it.
It is very clearly written, and illustrations impacted on me and helped a lot.
The book lacks technical data and scientific foundations, which would be a good complement. Some photographs comparing past and present time of same locations do not indicate the month in which they were taken. We must assume that they correspond to the same season but it is not clearly indicated.
I recommend it as good reading for everybody interested in the subject and specially for young people.

It is interesting that on the eve of Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace prize, a judge in the U.K. ruled that "An Inconvenient Truth" contained so many factual errors that if the film or book is used in schools it must contain a disclaimer and counter arguments.

Some of the factual errors include:
There is no scientific evidence that Katrina was either caused by or made stronger by Global Warming as Al Gore claims.

The snow on Mount Kilimanjaro is not melting because of Global Warming as Al Gore says. The average temperature on the mountain is well below freezing. Recent research has shown that the melting is due to sublimation (ice turning directly into vapor) at below freezing temperatures (kind of like freezer burn).

Al Gore claims that melting ice in Greenland could shut down the Gulf Stream and throw Europe into another Ice Age. Scientists have recently shown that this cannot happen and the judge agreed this claim is not backed up by scientific evidence.

Al Gore claims that the Vostock Ice Core Study shows that rising carbon dioxide level over the last 650,000 years cause corresponding rises in temperature. The judge ruled that Al got it backwards. Increasing temperatures cause an increase in carbon dioxide.

Al Gore's claim that Polar Bears are drowning because of melting ice in the Arctic is wrong said the judge. Four Polar Bears died because of a particularly violent storm. Overall, the Polar Bear population is increasing in the Arctic.

The judge ruled that Al Gore's claim that Global Warming is causing Lake Chad to dry up is not backed up by scientific evidence.

Al Gore claimed that the year 2005 was the hottest year on record. However, NASA recently reviewed that data and said that it was wrong. 1934 was the hottest year, 2005 was not even in the top 10.

Al Gore claimed that the ocean level would rise 20 feet. The recent IPCC Study said a 9 to 17 inch rise may be more likely.

Another factual error was stating that his critics are like the tobacco industry and referred to an ad that said, "more doctors smoke Camels than any other brand". Al claimed this ad came out after the 1964 Surgeon General's report. However, the ad appeared in 1947, 17 years before.

In another factual error, Al claimed we cured polio and implied therefore, we could cure Global Warming. We have not cured polio, in fact there is no cure. We do have a vaccine that is very effective.

Al Gore recently stated he purposely made one-side arguments on Global Warming because he didn't want to spotlight any uncertainties that his critics could use to refute him.

Given all the factual errors and misstatements, I recommend Al Gore give refunds to anyone who has seen his film or bought this book. Al should also consider giving back his Nobel Peace prize.

Al Gore is using scare tactics to further his own interests, while pouring CO2 into the atmosphere with his lavish lifestyle. Concurrently, he is telling the rest of the world to clean up their act. Some of the photos are good even though the captions are misleading.

The book is broken down into fifteen chapters, culminating in a very optimistic "Crisis = Opportunity," and throughout the text Gore is trying to motivate and encourage the next generation to take up the cause of saving the planet. Gore's optimism makes the reader feel that every chance to turn off an unused light or refill your water bottle is going to make a difference. Peppered with historical facts and dates, and infused with quotes from Mark Twain to Carl Sagan, this effort at educating young adults about the effects of lifestyle choices will make an impact on future generations. I think it is important to empower young people with choice - and the ability to affect change. This would make for excellent required reading.

This product it's wrong. I wonna reback you and order other. What can i do?

I didn't know what to expect from this book. After reading it you open your eyes to the things happening around you.