Physics for Future Presidents

The Science Behind the Headlines

By: Richard A. Muller

Narrated by: Pete Larkin

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

We live in complicated, dangerous times. They are also hyper-technical times. As citizens who will elect future presidents of the most powerful and influential world, we need to know - truly understand, not just rely on television's talking heads - if Iran's nascent nuclear capability is a genuine threat to the West, if biochemical weapons are likely to be developed by terrorists, if there are viable alternatives to fossil fuels that should be nurtured and supported by the government, if nuclear power should be encouraged, and if global warming is actually happening.

Written in everyday, nontechnical language, Physics for Future Presidents explains the science behind the concerns that our nation faces in the immediate future. Even active readers of serious journalism will be surprised at the lessons contained herein. It is must-have information for all presidents - and citizens - of the 21st century.

©2006 Richard A. Muller (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Should be required reading for all informed citizens, as well as Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain." ( Publishers Weekly)

Update me!

This was a good review of basic science since I have not studied it for several decades. A good introduction to the political issues around energy. I keep asking myself what the latest year of information would give me compared to this one back in 2007.

Essential to all decision makers.

Could do with an update, much has changed since ~2010, but that does not change the main point that one cannot and should not argue eith the laws of physics.
Even more salient in the age of fake news and the erosion or trust in 'experts', is the way this book does not "appeal to authority" but explains clearly the underlying principles behind thorny topics like energy, nuclear weapons and climate change.
Think of this book as a first-class course in "bullshit detection".

A very good and factual discussion.

I greatly appreciate the separation of science, policy, and opinion through most of the book.
The narrator does an excellent work of communicating the information within as I would read the material.

From a platform perspective it would have been helpful to have an accompanying document containing the illustrations.

Good Info for anyone.

This is the kind of information that should be required reading for all politicians, journalists, and voters.

Not a good book for students unless you already have your mind made up on issues.

As noted previously, this is NOT a book on the topic or theory of physics. It is however a tremendous treatise on politics.

Interesting info but where are the figures?

Would you try another book from Richard A. Muller and/or Pete Larkin?

Yes, but I would have to get the actual physical book to accompany the narrated audio version since the physical book has the figures and graphs which are necessary for understanding the material.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is a nonfiction book and has no characters; Audible appears to assume that only fiction books are going to be reviewed.

What three words best describe Pete Larkin’s voice?

Adequate for the purpose of the book, clear and goes at about the right pace.

Do you think Physics for Future Presidents needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Some of the information on climate may be dated. The book needs to be followed up with newer information since 2008.

Any additional comments?

Big, big problem is that the book frequently refers to pictures and graphs, but I did not see a pdf accompanying the audio version. Apparently the Kindle version of the book has the same problem. You really have to be careful with Amazon products. Maybe I missed the pdf but it was not in the expected column in the download.