Customer Reviews

Power to Change the World: Alternative Energy and the Rise of the Solar City

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A nice survey for people who don't consider themselves scientists and don't want to get bogged down by the chemistry & electrons of power and energy.

Lots of alternatives discussed, with practical implications and comparative costs analyses included. Early chapters cover the history of how we got to where we are, which is actually pretty useful for picturing out how we might move forward.

A nice wrap-up at the end.

Disappointments: the author refuses to even discuss nuclear, which is a disservice to the rest of the book; so you'll have to find another book to help to understand *that* elephant in the room. The author lets her political leanings color things a bit too much in an early chapter and at the end of the book, which fortunately doesn't impact the value of the information in the bulk of the book.

This woman is a phd in Software design - NOT mechanical engineering. I have seen her speak as well. She is nothing more than another lay person (no expert) with an opinion of global warming. This is just a hobby for her and it shows. NO expertise or depth of knowledge in her work. This is just a rehash of silly environmentalist junk. Save the world by using flourescent bulbs and driving a Prius. Whatever! She gave a speech at National Engineers Week and was all but laughed off the stage. Way Way Way out of her league. Her book is something maybe a junior high student or entry level environmentalist might want to read, but don't buy it.

I found this book entirely readable and very educational. I am a lay person but I know alot about climate change and our country's part in it. This book complimented my knowledge and also stretched my mind into areas I had not focused on before. From the invention of the external combustion engine (steam engines)to the rise of the internal combustion engine and beyond. Also included is an important discussion on the problems solved to make the internal combustion engine the engineering marvel taken for granted by millions. It is no wonder the general public hasn't a clue how truly toxic it is. Klein also takes us from the AC and DC electricity war of the late 1800s to tomorrow's exciting technologies. And does so with 'green' in mind. Political and cultural issues are discussed as they should be, since they are integral to the problem as well as the solution. The future energies discussed will amaze and hopfully push the world to cleaner, peaceful solutions to today's dirty problems. This book belongs in homes and schools and in our country's leaders' hands. Benefits the engineer or the homemaker. Thanks to S.L. Klein for the time and energy put into such a useful book. I am waiting for part 2 with more hope in my heart for a greener tomorrow.