Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines |  | Author: Richard A. Muller
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.
List Price: $16.95
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Seller: indoobestsellers
Rating:  57 reviews
Sales Rank: 6463
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Pages: 384
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.4 x 1
ISBN: 0393337111
Dewey Decimal Number: 530
EAN: 9780393337112
ASIN: 0393337111
Publication Date: September 21, 2009
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Product Description
“A triumph.”—Steve Weinberg, Boston Globe This is “must-have” information for all presidents—and citizens—of the twenty-first century: Is Iran’s nascent nuclear capability a genuine threat to the West? Are biochemical weapons likely to be developed by terrorists? Are there viable alternatives to fossil fuels that should be nurtured and supported by the government? Should nuclear power be encouraged? Can global warming be stopped? 73 figures and illustrations.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 57
 Physics for POTUS 101 November 16, 2009
Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The "101" in the title means that the items in this book are either common sense, part of the standard curiculum or things that anyone with even a limited exposure to science should know. The fact that most people haven't a clue is due to talk show talking heads, crazy web tales/blogs, conspiracy nuts, erroneous newspaper articles, reporters who can't spell pi AND junk science augmented by urban legends.
We've all heard the one about the engineer who disappeared after inventing the 200mpg engine that ran off water. The author explains that our dependence on fossil fuels derives from their nature: No other molecule delivers the "bang for the buck" as coal and gas. Muller also shoots down the widespread belief that renewable energy is somehow cheap or even "free". Indeed, the limited use of renewable sources is due to their high price. Then he tackles the problems with each renewable technology while suggesting nuclear and clean coal as alternatives.
The potential dangers of terrorism are discussed and nukes or virulent bio weapons are rejected for scientific reasons (technical ability, the nature of germs). Gasoline is the most likely future culprit since only it packs such a wallop. Space travel is summarized with an appeal to use robots and not humans.
Finally, there are several chapters on global warming in which the case for a 1 degree rise in temperatures over the past 100 years (with humans contributing 50%) is made. The wildass predictions that excite the public are the ones that inevitably fail: Mass starvations, resource depletion, wild weather, mass species extinction, oceans rising feet (or yards). We now know that climate for the past 12,000 years has been exceptional. The norm has been cold, heat and dryness. He points out that the poles (often used as "proof") are actually behaving the opposite. Gore is rightfully taken to task for absurd claims, unscientific charts, erroneous statements and dire (but false) warnings.
Finally, he suggests real world solutions which, of course, are more practical, mundane and will probably garner not 1/100th of the media fixes we read about such as less toilet paper, no mowing of lawns, no Bar-B-Q's, eating local, blah blah. Common sense solutions are conservation, tehnology and investment in viable technologies that can make a difference. An excellent book for those wanting the truth behind the headlines - A.
EASY TO READ-SUPER INFORMATIVE November 16, 2009
Swubird (Orange County, California)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I enjoyed this book immensely. In a smooth writing style, mostly devoid of technical mumbo jumbo, the author explains the basic physics behind the key scientific issues facing the world today. Things like nuclear waste, and global warming, terrorists and dirty bombs, the energy crisis and the whole truth about coal, space travel and airport security, solar power and the end of oil and, of course, the all time biggie: the green house effect and global warming. There's also a whole section devoted to spy satellites and GPS. Can a spy satellite really see you sunbathing in the privacy of your back yard? The answer to that questions might amaze you. What's the difference between LEO satellites, MEO satellites and GEO satellites? Do you know anything about GPS? Do you even care about GPS? If spy satellites and GPS are something you'd like to know more about then this book is definitely the place to get the straight skinny. And the list goes on and on. This thing is packed with juicy information. If you think you know it all, don't bother. But if you're open to the unbiased, nonpolitical truth from someone who really knows his stuff, then you should read this short, but highly informative book. I promise, it's easy to read.
The author, Richard A. Muller, professor of physics at UC Berkeley and past winner of the "Genius Award," takes the position that his book was written for future presidents. Maybe even you. So, if you were the president, what would you do if you heard that a dirty bomb had just gone off in the local park? Panic? Evacuate the citizens? Head for the presidential bomb shelter? Undecided? Or, take calm, cool action because you read Physics for Future Presidents, and you are especially familiar with the section called "The Terrorist Dirty Bomb." No problem. You know the secret truth about dirty bombs and, therefore, you know enough to take the appropriate action. And, like I said in the first paragraph, dirty bombs are only one section. There's gobs of good stuff on about everything scientific a president should be aware of in order to talk intelligently with his or her advisors, the American people, and world leaders.
In my opinion, reading this book should not just be recommended. It should be required. I give it five stars.
Not meant to be a science text book November 14, 2009
S. R. Schnur (ME USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Large numbers of us out here in the real world did not major in (or even take much beyond required) science in college. We are the humanities majors who prefered English or Psychology to Physics or Chemistry. This also means that often a scientist isn't what the rest of us might call a "clear" writer. Meet Richard Muller. He writes with clarity all of us can understand. We, as citizens, are more able to take a stand on public policy for having read this book. He covers the science of terrorism, energy, nuclear matters, outer space and global warming. Some of the reviewers who give him fewer than 5 stars on this book do so because he sometimes over simplifies, but I guarantee you will be better informed after reading the book.
There are a few things left out. For instance, using solar cells to make energy he covers, but not using evacuated tubes to heat your water. He talks about geothermal energy but not ground source heat. And I felt he could have given more emphasis to the incremental results from all of us doing a little something. But these are small things in a book that is important for informed citizens.
 Sloppy Research, Lack of Competence or Significant Bias? November 4, 2009
Former Aerospace Engineer (USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
After reading the portion of the book on 9/11, it was clear to me that the author decided to ignore and/or gloss over the science part associated with 9/11 attack. It's too bad. As a former aerospace engineer, I'm still looking for a reasonable scientific explanation of why the twin towers collapsed at the rate of free fall. Jet fuel (kerosene) does not get to a high enough temperature to melt or even soften the metal of a steel structure. Even if it did soften the metal by some weird configuration, it would only have softened it in the area of impact and not the entire tower which would have had to happen for it to collapse at the rate of free-fall. I'm not a conspiracy theorist and at the same time I am still looking for an explanation that makes sense from a scientific point of view. It is clear that in this topic area, the author is either (1) sloppy in his research, (2) not competent or (3) has a strong bias that got in the way of his science expertise. It's too bad because it puts a cloud over the rest of the book. Had he left that section out, I would have given the book the highest rating. Instead I was left wondering where else there were significant errors or biases.
Overcoming Distortion, Exaggeration, & Cherry-Picking of Evidence November 1, 2009
Thomas M. Loarie (Danville, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While cleverly titled as a book for future presidents, "Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines" is an excellent resource for all, particularly for those who have been confused and/or dismayed by conflicting opinions and data on important science-based global issues of the day - terrorism, energy, nukes, space, and global warming. Physics Professor (UC Berkeley), "MacArthur Fellowship" winner, and now author, Richard Muller, does an excellent job in setting the record straight for a global public victimized by "experts" and politicians who have been distorting, exaggerating, and cherry-picking the evidence to advance personal agendas as well as by the fourth estate, the mainstream media, who has been complicit with news bias and an intellectual laziness in ferreting out the facts.
This very well written and easy to read book has been written for the lay audience. Those who take the time to read "Physics for Future Presidents" will be well informed and well prepared to discuss these issues from a position of knowledge rather than opinion drawn from the lay press. You will learn about the difference between uranium and plutonium bombs, the difficulty of enriching uranium (Iran), the most probable future terrorist attacks, the truth about solar power and all other alternative energy sources, the realities of human space travel, the science behind low to high orbit satellites, the probability of cancer resulting from radiation exposure, the future of oil, the real cost of energy, and the importance of energy conservation.
"Physics for Future Presidents" covers the most essential facts and ideas enabling readers to understand the science behind the headlines, to discern distortions and personal agendas, and to participate fully in any discussion with friends, families, and associates. I have found this, despite my technical and science background, to be one of the most useful books I have read over the past four years. Muller does an excellent job in entertaining while laying out scientific principles critical to understanding today's world simply.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 57
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