Earth: The Operators' Manual (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780393081091)

Since the discovery of fire, humans have been energy users and always will be. And this is a good thing-our mastery of energy is what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom and has allowed us to be the dominant species on the planet. However, this mastery comes with a price: we are changing our environment in a profoundly negative way by heating it up.

Using one engaging story after another, coupled with accessible scientific facts, world authority Richard B. Alley explores the fascinating history of energy use by humans over the centuries, gives a doubt-destroying proof that already-high levels of carbon dioxide are causing damaging global warming, and surveys the alternative energy options that are available to exploit right now. These new energy sources might well be the engines for economic growth in the twenty-first century.

Author: Richard B. Alley
ISBN-10: 0393081095
ISBN-13: 9780393081091
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Language: English
Published: 04/18/2011
Pages: 496
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.81lbs
Size: 9.52h x 6.45w x 1.38d

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2011
Booklist 03/01/2011 pg. 20
Publishers Weekly 02/07/2011
Choice 11/01/2011
Booklist Ed Choice Adu Bk YA's 01/01/2012 pg. 10
Reference and Research Bk News 10/01/2011 pg. 286