Reviews (15)

Obviously Partial, Yet A Generally Good Effort
In this book Robert Morris does a generally credible job explaining the benefits of nuclear power. His book is factually accurate and informative, and particularly useful to people who have listened to extensive anti-nuclear rhetoric without attempting to hear the pro-nuclear arguments.

While I agree with most of the points Morris makes, I do have a couple of quibbles with the book. The first is endless, mind-numbing repetition. I don't know how many times he says that 50,000 people a year die in the US from carbon-based air pollution, but you can bet it's a lot. The basic point here is that while that is likely true, repeating it every other page for 200 pages or so does not help make the case: this book needs editing. The second issue I have with the book is the presence of grossly inflated, yet trivial arguments. There is no question, for instance, that coal and oil use are air polluters; that is a valid point to make in this book. Where the logic gets stretched, however, is when he claims that because of all this air pollution (that would not be present with more nuclear power) that humans probably have more fatal traffic accidents because carbon monoxide makes driver reaction times longer, seems improvable at best, and ludicrous at worst. These are the two big criticisms I have of the book.

While I believe his data on nuclear safety statistics, I do think that he overestimates nuclear safety features, and perhaps underestimates dangers. Safety engineering professionals study not only the accidents in an industry, but also the incidents that did not lead to accidents, yet could have. On this matter Morris is totally silent, and I think that detracts significantly from the scientific validity of some of his arguments: in other words, accidents are actually very rare, incidents more common. Since Three Mile Island the nuclear industry has become much better about sharing trend data, but this book leads readers to the conclusion that nuclear power is a 100 percent safe, utopian energy source. I personally agree that it is a generally safe source of power, and that the US would be wise to follow Europe's lead (for once) and develop more of it. Having said that, I also believe that nuclear accidents could potentially be quite dangerous, despite Morris' reassurances.

Most of the low rating reviewers here are clearly in the anti-nuclear camp, and I think it's admirable that they read the book (if they actually did). I do question where most of them got their information; some of the armchair critics seem unclear on basic physics or other issues (like Uranium ore production, for instance.) One particularly offensive reviewer thought that this book proves that Morris was worse than Hitler and hated babies. My take on that: if you can't objectively criticize the book, you must not have anything important to say...frequently like the media establishment. It is clear that Morris' assertion that the media spreads a virulently anti-nuclear message is correct, probably in part because they are politically to the left in general, but more likely simply because it sells. For the same reason that you never see a headline reading "Jetliner Lands On Time After a Smooth Flight: Passengers Enjoyed A Light Snack" you will also never see a headline reading "Nuclear Plant Releases No Radiation; Nobody Injured; Electricity Produced At A Reasonable Price." This is a differentiation that I think needs to me made, and while he attempts to make that argument in the book it falls a bit flat.

While parts of this book are a bit overblown, and the book is clearly in the pro-nuclear camp, at least Morris makes his sympathies clear at the outset. I am glad that he wrote the book, and despite a few qualms about the presentation, I think it is worthy reading for anyone on either side of the nuclear debate, preferably in conjunction with the excellent and considerably more unbiased masterwork on contemporary nuclear safety organizations, "Hostages of Each Other" by Joseph Rees.

Simple simon nuke propoganda.
A one sided tome, missing two of the most basic facts about nuclear energy. A) The mineral, Uranium Oxide upon which today's nuclear power technology rests is depleting at the rate of between 1 and 2 percent a year. I.e. 50 - 100 year supply. (This includes all factors such as Russian missiles, etc.) B) Nuclear energy today only supplies about 8% of all world energy. Nuclear power would only last 5 to 10 years!
Once they get done explaining how safe and clean nuclear power is using today's technology, when confronted with the shortage of fuel, a quick side step is taken. Expense and dangers of bomb making technology, waste disposal at 10x the rate and magic are quickly mixed up and the lesson is over.

Concise, lucid, and critical energy information
If you are only going to read one book about nuclear energy, fossil fuels and alternative energy sources, this is the one.If you are going to read more than one, this is the one to start with.It is easy to read, packed with solid scientifically based information, and easy to understand with little or no scientific background.It smashes many of the myths promoted by alarmist "environmentalists" who usually speak in generalities and have little or no scientific background.Dr. Morris tells you what the science says, and what the scientists believe in concise lucid detail.

The book fills the critical need for a logical explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of meeting our energy needs: fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal), nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, windmills, oil shales, hydrogen.It also explains the alarming consequences of failing to meet these needs.It discusses the advantages, environmental effects, economics and practicality of all these sources of energy.It sounds like a huge undertaking, but Dr. Morris explains it easily and soundly.

Isbn: 1576071286
Sales Rank: 627849
Subjects:  1. General    2. Government policy    3. Handbooks & Manuals    4. History    5. Nuclear Energy    6. Nuclear Power (Environmental Aspects)    7. Nuclear Power Stations    8. Nuclear accidents    9. Nuclear engery    10. Nuclear engineering    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Technology    13. Technology & Industrial Arts    14. Nuclear Physics   

Isbn: 0313304009
Sales Rank: 1488787
Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Energy    3. History    4. Nuclear Energy    5. Nuclear Generation Of Electric Power    6. Reference    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Science / Energy   

Reviews (1)

Reviews (2)

Perfect analysis
Wellock's book is a thoroughly readable book on the social history of nuclear power in California.His approach is to focus on the social critique of nuclear power instead of the usual managerial and economic post-mortems of nuclear power in the US.California is an extremely interesting case, because there was good reason for nuclear power in a state with breakneck growth and little coal reserves.The policies that grew out of California's anti-nuclear movement ended up changing the face of energy policy for the country as a whole (California keeps its status as a political bellwether for the rest of the US).

Amazing that a book about nuclear power can be so arresting - I read it while in the British Virgin Islands - surely a place with better things to do, right?

Editorial Review

Isbn: 1872803199
Sales Rank: 621768
Subjects:  1. Beverages - Non-Alcoholic    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Nutrition   

Editorial Review

Reviews (3)

Nuclear Energy - From Jane Fonda to Reality
This book, though somewhat technical, is a primer in the problems and great potential of nuclear power. It dissolves the fog of "junk science" perpetuated by some environmentalist groups and the Press in particular. A must read if you want to have an informed, accurate opinion as a 21st century power consumer.

a well composed,(although lengthy ) abstract of past/future
As an Electrical Engineer, I found this book to be a learning tool in the areas of non-fossil fuel power.Should be required reading for undergraduate science majors.

S.J. Clarke MSEE

Reviews (24)

Another global warming demagogue
The Earth has a climate, and that climate has been warming up since 1850, when the Little Ice Age ended.During the medieval warming period the climate was warmer than it is today, leaving ruined medieval farmsteads at higher latitudes and altitudes than are possible today.The Vikings headed for the Arctic, even settling there, and rediscovered the Americas.

The atmosphere isn't warming the Earth -- the Earth is orders of magnitude more massive than the atmosphere.

The oceans are not warming at depth.

The planet Mars has about as much atmospheric density as the Earth does at 40 MILES altitude and has never been warmed by greenhouse gases.

The atmosphere of Venus isn't made primarily of CO2.Venus' density is slightly less than that of Earth's, same goes for its diameter.CO2 won't be found at the hideously high pressures known to exist on the Venusian surface.

Surprise!Ross Gelbspan didn't win a Pulitzer, as the DJ claims:

"'The Heat Is On' -- in which Gelbspan complains about how global warming critics distort the truth -- touted Gelbspan as a 'Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist' and Gelbspan has apparently done little in the intervening years to dissuade people of this falsehood despite being called on it on a number of occasions." -- Brian Carnell "Ross Gelbspan's Pulitzer Prize" (Thursday, January 22, 2004)

What a surprise!Global warming shills don't ever say things that are not true, do they?

"We've got to ride the global warming issue. Even if the theory [sic] of global warming is wrong, we will be doing the right thing." -- Timothy Wirth

"Each of us has to decide the right balance between being effective and being honest." -- Stephen Schneider

Invasion of the weather-snatchers
Coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans are dying because of rising water temperatures.Butterflies are migrating northward.Antarctica is melting.Northern hemisphere forests are being decimated by climate-related fires and insect infestations.The Great Plains states are becoming deserts, as are areas of Southern Europe.Tropical diseases such as malaria and West Nile fever are spreading northwards as temperatures rise.

These are all facts that are incontestably documented by science today, and each of them is directly linked to the climate change brought about by global warming.The earth and its species are in for a tough time in the century ahead.Extreme weather patterns caused by the heating up of the planet is already creating climatic chaos:horrible downpours and snow in some areas, rising temperatures and drought in others, hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, and so on.And for the most part it's been caused by the incredibly high rate of fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions--6 billion tons (and counting) a year.

Ross Gelspan argues that the science is clear; most of the world's leading scientists agree that fossil fuels are causing the problem.The rub is that the oil and coal industries--at $10 trillion, the largest in human history--have an obvious vested interest in convincing the public and lawmakers that global warming is all Chicken Little stuff.So they fund a handful of dissenting scientists who, like tobacco industry scientists a few years ago, are in the business of convincing the public that global warming is a myth.Conservative lawmakers have been particularly receptive to their line, and this in turn has affected public policy for the worse.

Gelbspan's book is horrifying in its diagnosis of global warming and the extent to which the fossil fuel industry has protected its own interests at the expense of the planet's.But the book also makes clear that the technology to replace the world's use of fossil fuels already exists, and concludes with a plan of action for weaning ourselves from our oil addictions.

Make no mistake about it, however:things will get worse, and perhaps much worse, before they get better.We're only beginning to feel the effects of carbon dioxide emissions from 50 years ago.We've yet to feel the whammy from our current frenzied use.When we do, God help us.

Amazing polarity
I found the book to be right on par with my own research into the effects of "global warming". His conclusions are actually pretty tame compared with mid to worst case scenarios I have heard from eminent environmental scientists.

That being said, the fact that there are so many 1 star ratings tells me that the PR campaign is in great force. It is absolutely true that people don't want to believe that there is any threat from global warming or pollution, so they are more susceptible to the falsehoods proposed by the oil, coal and gas companies.

You can meet all of his goals as stated, and even be MORE energy conscious, and not have to give up your car, stereo, twinkies, pizza or boat(s). You can be wealthy or poor (as you like). You can consume to your heart's content. All you have to do is DEMAND ENERGY EFFICIENCY. And of course, the Government has to get out of the oil companies back pocket(s) by ridding us of oil subsidies.

Cars can burn alcohol (like brazil does in 40% of its cars) and/or bio-diesel (like Germany and other european countries do in 30%+ of their vehicles) made from veg-oil. We can make limitless supplies of these two fuels.. why the hell do we need crude oil? Well, it's because oil companies want us to drink crude oil because it is cheaper for them to produce than vegetable based fuels. Also because switching to veg based fuels switches the power base.. now any joe can fuel his car with farm alcohol.. eek! Lost Revenue! Why do you think that the 'New Fuel Cell Technology' being developed is going to use compunds which are completely unfeasible for the backyard chemist to produce?

Isbn: 9264161627
Sales Rank: 1574016
Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Coal-fired power plants    4. Costs    5. Electric power-plants    6. Industries - General    7. Nuclear Energy    8. Nuclear industry    9. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Editorial Review

Reviews (5)

Do some research before buying this book
Please, if you've never read Carter's material look for some of his articles before you spend money on this.His tactics and strategies are near ubsurd. Its obvious anyone who suggests pulling 2 seperate 1 3/4 lines on a car fire has no real world experience. That is just a taste of what he believes. Do yourself a favor and see for yourself before you spend money on this.

I rated this a One Star, because ZERO Stars isn't an option.
This book is a waste of paper, ink, money, and time.

Harry Carter's Fire Fighting Strategy and Tactics, is another extension of Harry's style: incoherent, irrelevant, and unreadable.

For instance, Harry states on page 3, that "As an Incident Commander . . . You will need to know about each [of the following] if you are to become knowledgeable in the use of fire fighting strategy and tactics . . ."The list includes the following: sturdier ground ladders, improved hydrant security devices and wrenches, better SCBA seat-mounted brackets (that was my personal favorite), and stronger ground ladders.(WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCY DEPARTMENT, HARRY!!)

For Harry, this book is yet another attempt to feign his way into the circle of the true leaders in today's fire service.In it's truest form, it is a pulpit from which Harry seeks to convince us that he really does have something both original and provocative to say.Unfortunately for Harry, it is just a rerun of what little we learned at Harry's train-wreck talk at FDIC 2000.

His sentences are verbose and muddy, and he lacks a direction in his style, content, and in the arrangement of his outdated ideas.

Please don't waste time reading such junk...

Give up, Harry.

PLEASE?!!

A complete and highly useful text
This is a must read for firefighters and support personnel.It will give you the basics and the overall picture of how to fight fires.Firefighting is no game and this book brings home the seriousness of theprofession.

Reviews (4)

I love this book!
I've bought this book four times now, because I show my copy to a family member or friend and they get so excited about it, I give them my copy and then have to go buy another one.This is the best walking book I've ever come across, with good information for the total beginner or the experience walker who just wants some extra motivation.Buy it!

really gets you walking
i've been walking for a long time but this book got me walking every day instead of once in a while and taught me how to get the maximum out of my walks. i've stopped obssessing about my weight and my whole attitude towards my body and towards the concept of regular exercise has changed. the best thing about this book is that it is a daily, weekly and yearly companion that keeps you on the exercise regime. fenton's writing is guiless and honest -- a friendly push out the door. no criticism, just encouragement to start enjoying the natural movement of your own body. his frankness and simplicity are refreshing.