$20 Per Gallon

How the Inevitable Rise in the Price of Gasoline Will Change Our Lives for the Better

By: Christopher Steiner

Narrated by: John Wolfe

An extraordinarily insightful and thought-provoking look at how our society and culture are going to change, and change rapidly, as the price of gasoline, heating oil, and all other everyday consumer products that are derived from oil continue to escalate.

Imagine an everyday world in which the price of gasoline (and oil) continues to go up, and up, and up. Think about the immediate impact that would have on our lives.

Of course, everybody already knows how about gasoline has affected our driving habits. People can't wait to junk their gas-guzzling SUVs for a new Prius. But there are more, not-so-obvious changes on the horizon that Chris Steiner tracks brilliantly in this provocative work.

Consider the following societal changes: people who own homes in far-off suburbs will soon realize that there's no longer any market for their houses (reason: nobody wants to live too far away because it's too expensive to commute to work). Telecommuting will begin to expand rapidly. Trains will become the mode of national transportation (as it used to be) as the price of flying becomes prohibitive. Families will begin to migrate southward as the price of heating northern homes in the winter is too pricey. Cheap everyday items that are comprised of plastic will go away because of the rising price to produce them (plastic is derived from oil). And this is just the beginning of a huge and overwhelming domino effect that our way of life will undergo in the years to come.

Steiner, an engineer by training before turning to journalism, sees how this simple but constant rise in oil and gas prices will totally re-structure our lifestyle. But what may be surprising to readers is that all of these changes may not be negative - but actually will usher in some new and very promising aspects of our society.

Steiner will probe how the liberation of technology and innovation, triggered by climbing gas prices, will change our lives. The book may start as an alarmist's exercise.... but don't be misled. The future will be exhilarating.©2009 Christopher Steiner; (P)2009 Hachette

Alternative Fuels Anyone!!!

Can anyone say alternative fuel?

The author, Christopher Steiner, does a wonderful job in laying out the pathway that were all taking towards ever-increasing fuel cost and the implications for doing so.

Our dependency on foreign oil and tax subsidized gas prices is not allowing us to realize the downward spiral that we face economically and environmentally, and the upward spiraling cost of fuel itself. It's time for us to get serious about developing alternative fuel sources and changing our lifestyles and dependency away from also fuel. We have the technology to do it now, so other than the "political agendas" that of course bog everything down, we have to start thinking critically and making decisions that will correct the pathway that were on.

I like the way the author lays out, chapter by chapter, dollar per gallon – dollar per gallon, the effects that we will feel personally, economically, socially and environmentally. I know right now many of us cannot see beyond perhaps a five dollar per gallon cost to ourselves personally, but that day is coming sooner than we think.

I highly recommend this book because it is well written, and it pertains to every man woman and child in this country.

Maybe the Amish have it right

Excellent, well-researched, thought-provoking, look at the world around us, now and in the future. I look forward to many of the changes.

Everyone Should Read This Book!

I gave this book 5 stars not because I agree with everything in this book, but because this is such a relevant, thought provoking book that I cannot get out of my head. From having a father who worked in the oil business for most of his career, I already knew about the many uses for petrochemicals. And from living in Europe, I already knew the effects high priced gasoline (petrol) can have on society. But the author's analysis is fascinating, as are his predictions about what the future holds for the US. In Europe, where gas is much more expensive ($13/gallon at one point), diesel, manual, tiny cars with little power under the hood are the norm. The only sports cars are the very high end ones (Ferraris, Maseratis, etc.) and SUV's are too large to fit in parking spaces. My diesel Citroen gets 45 miles to the gallon, but is as speedy as a slug. We bring our own recyclable bags to the grocery (and other) stores to avoid getting charged for the plastic ones. Yet air fares are quite inexpensive, unlike what is predicted in this book. The author has a tendency to make the US seem like Pottersville from It's a Wonderful Life and judges harshly those who waste energy driving gas guzzlers. But insights, such as comparing the US's thirst for oil to an elderly smoker with emphysema who just won't quit, make you think about your own habits, purchases and ideals. I hope every government leader reads this book for the courage to make the tough decisions this country needs. I should also mention that the narrator does a splendid job with this book. Well worth the credit.

Thoughtprovoking view of the future!

$20 Per Gallon is a fascinating, thoughtful, and thoughtprovoking view of the near future as the price of oil rises. Steiner describes the economic and social implications of rising energy prices across the human experience and proposes some interesting scenarios about how life will look as the world, especially the U.S., is forced to adapt and reinvent. While some of his conclusions are a bit too rosey, he makes a strong case for the re-emergence of American industry, a return to locally grown TASTY food, and energy innovation. I highly recommend this book.

Hoped for more

The layout of the chapters was great. Explore what life will be like as gas prices reach new highs -- each chapter looking at life with a new price at the pump.

While the speculating about what might happen was entertaining. I was disappointed that the predictions were not backed up with much argument or any evidence.