Customer Reviews

Leading by Example: How We Can Inspire an Energy and Security Revolution

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Can you believe this? Bill Richardson has written a truly exciting book. This is the book we've been waiting for - the one that takes us from the stage of awareness that Al Gore produced two years ago to the society that takes control of destiny and begins to live in global wealth, health and security.

Richardson begins by describing the existing current lag in leadership. America needs to reposition its image in the spirit that it has long held. Sacrifice and inspiration are essential to that image. With the image and presence of a compassionate America, nations will succeed in lifting themselves from tyranny, depression, illness and tragedy. We cannot afford to confuse our image as a people - that image that produces inspiration through compassion - with one that will overrun other nations to satisfy an addiction for oil.

Richardson will use the power of the markets to drive America to destiny. In the words of Richardson: "The power of markets is immense. That is one of the great lessons - besides democracy and human rights - that the United States has taught the world over the past two centuries. The market has the power not only to create individual prosperity and growth, as conceived by the great first-ever modern economist, Adam Smith, but also to achieve big things for society as a whole. If we manage the carbon markets sensibly, with strict limits, smart incentives, and practical oversight - as we manage the monetary supply via the Federal Reserve - we can see a market-based economy that actually works toward REDUCING pollution."

Along with markets, the government must play a role - one that will provide sophisticated, integrated, and compassionate policies. The goal of government is to keep the dynamic of a proper functioning market going. Government assists with competition and choice while representing all of the true interests of the citizens. Richardson describes strategies of jawboning, holding to principles, standing to commitments, and using the bully pulpit. Federal government will do well to learn from states and cities. A set of federal Climate Challenge block grants that reward innovation would be part of Richardson's program. Other goals adopted in New Mexico include energy efficiency, green building, renewable energy, green transportation, renewable fuels, incentives, and overarching climate change action.

Richardson has been described as the Democratic Libertarian. Much of what Richardson describes is a reformation and restoration of capitalist principles for a new century. Says Richardson, "All goods cost something to make, and it matters what gets calculated in the cost, whether it's raw materials, human rights, defending oil transportation routes, or damage to the environment that needs to be cleaned up. Until all those things are factored in, you don't really have the true cost." That makes sense to me. True Libertarian values are grounded in wise capitalist principles. However, until we've become free from cynicism, that is, until we've become perceptive enough to account for all values in the face of other prices, we cannot make honest dealings that are consistent with the true spirit of our capitalist enterprises. It's no wonder that Lee Iacocca likes this guy. Iacocca knows leadership, and Richardson brings it.

NM Governor Bill Richardson, having been US Secretary of Energy, Congressman, and UN Ambassador, shows in this excellent read that he has not only the experience to be credible on this critical issue, but also that he is ready to bring the change we so desperately need in our energy and environmental policy. His narrative, carefully thought through but easy to follow, has an inspiring quality. Governor Richardson is not an ideologue; he is a pragmatic idealist. My favorite President, Teddy Roosevelt, once said, "Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground," and Richardson has certainly done that.

We must do as much as we can as quickly as we can without devastating our economy (without a strong economy, it's hard to get anything else done, including energy initiatives), and it's clear to me that Bill Richardson knows how to do it and is committed to making it happen.

I work for the publisher and read this book last year when it came out. Richardson puts forth a strong, yet plausible plan for reducing America's dependency on oil, instead developing new energy sources which we can then export to the rest of the world as well.

Richardson has a great deal of foreign policy experience, and would have been a fine choice for Secretary of State. But I am glad to have him at Commerce, too. His vision, as articulated in this book, will transform the American energy industry and the American economy in the next ten years, and inspire the rest of the world to follow. He compares it to the space race. I'd like to have that kind of strength and pride in America again.

This is a well-written and accessible book for anyone who is interested in how energy policy can help to ensure both economic independence and security. Governor Richardson is well-versed in the subject from his experience in Congress, the Clinton administration, the UN, and as governor of New Mexico. I remember when the second Iraq War broke out during my time as a freshman at Boston University, the only way energy policy was discussed was in its role as fostering violence and greed, not as a tool for ensuring security. Governor Richardson takes a realistic approach that at the same time is driven by idealism.

Vicente Salazar

This book is critical to anyone concerned about energy policy, security and how we design our future. Richardson is one of our leading international statesmen who will likely continue playing a critical role in our government both here and abroad. He has taken bold action as a Governor and has a bold vision that no other politician could accomplish without his experience. I have worked for this man doing environmental regulations - he is the real deal. I loved the book and passed it out readily.

I bought the book for my father. He is from a small town and came into Wichita to visit me. We always go to the Barnes and Noble when he comes down. He found the book, but I talked him out of buying it because I knew on Amazon I could buy it for way less. Barnes and Nobles was 39.00 and Amazon, new, was 17.00. Thats a no brainer. When the book came in, I sent it to him. He was happy.