OVER THE PAST CENTURY, we have developed a civilization rooted in the promise of an endless supply of cheap oil. But our rate of oil discovery worldwide has reached its peak and will never be exceeded; it is certain to decline forever forward. David Good-stein, professor of physics at Caltech, explains the underlying scientific principles of the inevitable fossil fuel shortage we face, and the closely related peril to the earth's climate.

Counting up the human cost of the age of oil is impossible, not only because there are too many damaged people to count but also because many have developed the habit of turning away from the situation altogether. Goodstein gives hope that the earth may be able to survive the end of the age of oil as he describes the importance of fossil fuels over time and the myths that have developed around them, the role of electricity and radiant energy, the nature of heat engines and entropy, some technological fixes, and an idea of what the future can hold. He includes a new postscript for this edition.
Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Counting up the human cost of the age of oil is impossible, not only because there are too many damaged people to count but also because many have developed the habit of turning away from the situation altogether. Goodstein gives hope that the earth may be able to survive the end of the age of oil as he describes the importance of fossil fuels over time and the myths that have developed around them, the role of electricity and radiant energy, the nature of heat engines and entropy, some technological fixes, and an idea of what the future can hold. He includes a new postscript for this edition. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

With its easy-to-grasp explanations of the science behind every aspect of our most urgent environmental policy decisions, "Out of Gas" is a handbook for the future of civilization.