Before I begin this review, I want to share my involvement with/knowledge of the Cape Wind project. I have no relationship with either side of the Cape Wind debate, and don't foresee having one either. My current knowledge about the project is limited to the Wall Street Journal review of this book, and the book itself. Thus, I approached the book with no preconceptions beyond my general opinion that we, as a society, need to take some action to diversify our energy generation capabilities.
With that as background, I found Cape Wind to have a very powerful thesis: namely, U.S. government policy and law is shaped by moneyed interests more than by democratic principals. While this argument isn't new, Williams and Whitcomb breathe new life into the debate by depicting the unnecessarily torturous drama that is the Cape Wind project's saga. The fact that politicians from both political parties (Senators Edward Kennedy, John Warner, Ted Stevens; Representative Don Young; Governor Mitt Romney) are shown engaging in obstructionist behavior strengthens their case.
While the facts of the case are compelling, it's sad to say that Williams' and Whitcomb's editorial decisions frequently weaken the effectiveness of their argument. While it's okay to have an opinion on the project, Williams and Whitcomb let their strong biases in favor of the venture color their writing. This bias is especially apparent in their fawning portrayal of the project's leader, Jim Gordon. For writers that are reporters, this lack of balance is surprising. Also surprising are the grammatical errors and spelling mistakes that populate the book's first edition (my favorite is on page 36, where Marie Antoinette is described as the "....wife of Louise XVI...."). Finally, the book is hampered by the project's status, which the authors imply is ongoing as of the book's publication. Thus, the reader is given no end to the story. By printing this book before the issues surrounding the project had been resolved (along with the other flaws mentioned earlier), the reader is left with the impression that the book is a propaganda piece designed to attract new supporters and excite the existing supporters before the next round of hearings begin.
Cape Wind has a great premise, and plenty of evidence to support that premise. The fact that the evidence is so overwhelming makes the book as effective as it is. However, if the authors had taken a little more care and balance in presenting that material, they would have been more effective in both proving their thesis and raising sympathies for the Cape Wind project.
- Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account
