Three books: Out of Gas, Homeowners Guide, Better Off

[DrDorothy]

Well, I have certainly been reading a lot lately in response to my concerns about preparing for peak oil changes.  I have not yet posted on this forum, so why not let my first post be a recommendation of books?


Out of Gas: The End of the Age of Oil, by David Goodstein, 2004, W.W.Norton & Company, publishers

In less than 150 pages, Goodstein gives a very readable, clear-English description of the fact that we are running out of oil and other fossil fuels world-wide, and the significant consequences pertaining thereto.  He does an excellent job of clarifying the relevant science and technology, and why the impact will be felt long before the oil and other fossil fuels are gone.  He does not choose to take an alarmist tone, nor does he need to do so.  The facts he presents are eye-opening without need for further embellishment.  As the comment on the cover says, he "never preaches, but neither does he pull any punches." 

I found the book to be engrossing, enlightening, and very helpful in understanding the Peak Oil phenomena.  I recommend it. 


The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence through Solar, WInd, Biomass and Hydropower, by Dan Chiras, 2006, A Mother Earth News book for wiser living, New Society Publishers

This is an up-to-date, well-researched, comprehensive, and very practical resource for anyone wanting to reduce their dependence upon fossil fuels, from someone looking at retrofitting an existing home, to those among us who may be contemplating moving and building our own home.  It provides information and guidance for supplementing "on-the-grid" energy or going "off the grid" entirely and setting up oneself to provide your own home energy needs.  The author has practiced what he describes for some years, so bringing a wealth of personal experience to his topic.  There are few blind spots in his approach.  I detected only one: he completely omits a discussion of wood cookstoves from his chapter of wood heat.  This is a relatively minor omission, in comparison with the wealth of information he shares throughout the book.   

I am very glad to have this book -- it has greatly increased my confidence in the possibility that my husband and I may be able, sooner or later (and the sooner the better!) to go completely "off the grid" and supply our own energy needs on our own land.  At the least, we will certainly be able to further reduce our utility bills!


Better Off:  Flipping the Switch on Technology (Two people, One Year, Zero Watts), by Eric Brende, 2004, HarperCollins Publishers

Here the author, an MIT graduate, tells the true story of his 18 month experiment.  He wanted to find out whether our labor-saving, convenience-promoting, hi-tech machines (electric stoves, washers, refrigerators, cell phones, TVs, automobiles, etc) have actually made life easier and better, or whether we would be better off without them.  His question narrowed down to this: What is the least we need to achieve the most?   He and his new bride move for 18 months to a community without electricity or motors, a community so "primitive" that even Amish groups considered it antiquated.  They learn to pull their own weight there -- and what it takes for the people in such a community to do so.  The results are enlightenining and extremely valuable. 

He is never preachy or sanctimonious, but open-eyed and thoughtful.  His book is certainly thought-provoking, and a very entertaining and timely read.

I highly recommend this book!


Here's to helping ourselves and each other make the changes required by our changing times!

Dr.Dorothy 

[Jojo888]

I've read "Better Off". An interesting book. If you'd like to listen to an interview with the author, Eric Brende, who talks about his book, there is a download mp3 and/or streaming audio only available via Global Public Media. Here's the URL address for it.
http://www.globalpublicmedia.com/interviews/663
   Eric Brende is kind of a present day Henry David Thoreau who tries to simplify his life. Eric's quest doesn't have anything directly to do with Peak Oil concerns. One thing he mentions kind of surprised me. He says there was some theft in the religious community where he farmed. He doesn't elaborate in the interview. I guess even a strict fundamentalist religious upbringing and living in such a small community wasn't enough to prevent the occasional theft by community members.  The interview is lengthy. 55 minutes.