Energy for Future Presidents

The Science Behind the Headlines

By: Richard A. Muller

Narrated by: Pete Larkin

The near-meltdown of Fukushima, the upheavals in the Middle East, the BP oil rig explosion, and the looming reality of global warming have reminded the president and all U.S. citizens that nothing has more impact on our lives than the supply of and demand for energy. Its procurement dominates our economy and foreign policy more than any other factor. But the "energy question" is more confusing, contentious, and complicated than ever before. We need to know if nuclear power will ever really be safe. We need to know if solar and wind power will ever really be viable. And we desperately need to know if the natural gas deposits in Pennsylvania are a windfall of historic proportions or a false hope that will create more problems than solutions.

Richard A. Muller provides all the answers in this must-listen guide to our energy priorities now and in the coming years.

©2012 Richard A. Muller (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An informative, comprehensive discussion of important economic and environmental issues." ( Kirkus)

Good science interestingly presented

I've also listened to Muller's book "Physics for Future Presidents," which I loved, and this one is just as good. Muller always presents all valid sides of controversial topics, uses all the evidence to arrive at the most logical conclusions, and them states them as his opinions. This should be required reading for both the right and left sides of the political spectrum.

A good book for everbody to listen to.

If you could sum up Energy for Future Presidents in three words, what would they be?

A good book which gives a balance perspective on energy. Does not have a PDF download which is referenced in the audio.

Any additional comments?

I would have left out the section on what energy is. I am familiar with physics so when he was talking about symmetries and spatial and time translations I understood. The average perso would get nothing out of this chapter.

Clarity & clear thinking

What made the experience of listening to Energy for Future Presidents the most enjoyable?

Muller presents a scientist's view about a broad range of energy topics. He backs up his conclusions with data and reasoning. The narration is fine but not exceptional.

What did you like best about this story?

This is a fresh view, on a topic that seems to confuse many.

Some of the conclusions are surprising, e.g., about plug-in hybrids; but Muller explains his assumptions, and the conclusions seem to derive rather solidly from them. Perhaps some of those assumptions are mistaken, but at least they are clearly called out; Muller himself admits that shale resources are far greater than he had realized just a few years ago.

The overall organization is well thought out - so, even though there is an accompanying PDF, the narrative is clear from the audio alone.

Skeptical for the Right Reason: Science

A rightly skeptical look at different energy options. No option is ONLY good or evil.

Sound science from a former climate change skeptic

Where does Energy for Future Presidents rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Richard Muller teaches the "most popular course at UC Berkeley". His video course "Physics for Future Presidents" on Youtube is outstanding. So is this audiobook.