Fueling the Planet

The Past, Present, and Future of Energy

By: Prof. Michael B. McElroy

Narrated by: Prof. Michael B. McElroy

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Renowned professor Michael B. McElroy leads a comprehensive examination of energy, including its history, use in the world today, and environmental consequences. Whether discussing the "oil shocks" of the 1970s, the current reliance on imported oil, or the growing buildup of carbon dioxide in the planet's atmosphere, it is clear that energy represents one of the world's most daunting challenges. In these informed, easy-to-follow lectures, Professor McElroy imparts a clear understanding of energy - in all its applications - and offers a vision for a clean, safe, and sustainable future.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Michael B. McElroy (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Excellent and timeley

Still relevant and a great foundation to understanding the issues of energy consumption and global climate change .

The BEST book I've heard on Energy!

This is a very intelligent and informative set of lectures. The material is communicated in a very interesting and fascinating way and the professor has an engaging, conversational manner that is very easy to listen to. Lots of history, facts, numbers and explanations. I could hear no bias or ideology and was given the facts and left to come to my own conclusions. Prof. McElroy covers all types of energy sources, giving their pros and cons. He deals with CO2 build ups, nuclear issues, global energy issues, renewable and non-renewable fuels along with the famous people involved in the history of energy. I loved every minute!

A very good book,very interesting, I couldn't stop listening to it!!

Energy, Will there be enough for tomorrow?

Would you consider the audio edition of Fueling the Planet to be better than the print version?

The Audio version bring the details to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fueling the Planet?

New energy sources and how they can be used.

What does Michael B. McElroy bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

A concise explaination.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Something everyone who is concerned about our planet should listen to.

If You Appreciate Quality Lecture

Unlike most other offerings from Audible, this is a lecture series, not a performed book. So, if you expect a book, it may not be to your liking. I appreciate education and good lecture and therefore greatly enjoyed this selection. Each lecture is of equal length. (Book chapters vary)

I am interested in the topic and know a bit about it. So for me, some material was not new. However, the material is presented so clearly that I enjoyed the refresher. I especially like professor McElroy's style. He's a superb, to the point speaker.

I recommend this title with all possible stars if you enjoy learning, want to to learn about energy use world-wide and can appreciate a lecture-style delivery.

Something to note: most lecture titles are simply recordings of delivered lectures. This seems to be designed for audio distribution. This is a very important point because you do not get long moments of hearing someone write on a blackboard you cannot see or working through a diagram you do not have. That makes these lectures very easy to follow and free of the usual frustrations that go with 'taped' lectures.

Chris Reich

Interesting, but...

It might not be entirely fair to rate this series of lectures based on what I espected from them, but I have to admit that that is precisely what limited the number of stars I'm willing to give.
The lectures start by defining and clearly explaining the basic concepts that are going to be used, and a quick overview of the history of the Earth gives a solid framework for the planetary energy balance. Abundant (sometimes overwhelming!) data is provided on every lecture. Although it is sometimes difficult to follow such figures in an audiobook, it certainly gives specific weight to the facts being discussed. After this good start, there are a few lectures dedicated to subjects like the history of the steam engine, the technical and commercial success of Henry Ford, the early electrification of Manhattan. This felt like a loss of speed to me. Not that it is not interesting, but there remained so much to be said about the present and future of energy, that the anecdotes of the industrial revolution, however entertaining, seemed explored in enough detail. The author's view on the future of energy are quikly, and not very deeply exposed only on the last lecture, and to my mind, the alteratives are not fully explored in terms of finantial costs, natural resource requirements, tons of CO2 liberated to be implemented, etc.
Still, a good and informative introductory audiobook about a crucial subject, worth listening.

Excellent Grounding

If you enjoy a sage perspective and a broad context for honing your knowledge so you can get a fix on the energy challenges we face, this is a marvelous primer.

The Professor, with obviously comprehensive credentials, narrates the book as a series of 14 lectures, allowing the listener to build a firm grasp on background and issues. His thinking is logical, his style is low key and direct, he has no personal axe to grind and where these is no model to lend basis for an answer (even when others have been unambiguous in their beliefs), he is honest enogh to say so...and why. I found myself wanting to buy his book and go to the recommended website(s). I can use his theses to answer some key questions I have about a company I am funding and the relative value of energy options available.