New Books On The Horizon

clv101 · Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 6:26 pm Post subject: New Books On The Horizon

Matthew Simmons' book, Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy has finally popped up on Amazon with a May 27th date of publication.

"Based on his analysis, Mr. Simmons asserts that sudden and sharp oil production declines could happen at any time. Even under the most optimistic scenario, Saudi Arabia may be able to maintain current rates of production for several years, but will not be able to increase production enough to meet the expected increase in world demand."

Also Kenneth Deffeyes' new book, Beyond Oil : The View From Hubbert's Peak is due March 15th.

"Deffeyes, a geologist who was among the first to warn of the coming oil crisis, now takes the next logical step and turns his attention to the earth's supply of potential replacement fuels. In Beyond Oil, he traces out their likely production futures, with special reference to that of oil, utilizing the same analytic tools developed by his former colleague, the pioneering petroleum-supply authority M. King Hubbert."

I'm not convinced Deffeyes' book is going to be that good... I mean he's a geologist, an oil man, what does he know about replacements to oil?

EDIT: Whilst looking through Amazon I came across this list. A fantastic set of books. I've read about a dozen of them and at least another 1/2 dozen are on my "to read" list.

jesus_of_suburbia · Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 7:25 pm Post subject:

Don't forget James Howard Kunstler's The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of the Oil Age, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-first Century due in May. Rather long title as well.

Product Description:
With his classics of social commentary The Geography of Nowhere and Home from Nowhere, James Howard Kunstler has established himself as one of the great commentators on American space and place. Now, with The Long Emergency, he offers a shocking vision of a post-oil future. As a result of artificially cheap fossil-fuel energy, we have developed global models of industry, commerce, food production, and finance over the last 200 years. But the oil age, which peaked in 1970, is at an end. The depletion of nonrenewable fossil fuels is about to radically change life as we know it, and much sooner than we think. The Long Emergency tells us just what to expect after the honeymoon of affordable energy is over, preparing us for economic, political, and social changes of an unimaginable scale. Riveting and authoritative, The Long Emergency is a devastating indictment that brings new urgency and accessibility to the critical issues that will shape our future, and that we can no longer afford to ignore. It is bound to become a classic of social science.

I'm wicked psyched about this book. I think it and Simmons book have the potential to raise significant awareness.
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EnviroEngr · Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 8:11 pm Post subject: BRs

Review and post when you get 'em. I still owe jj a rev of Odell.
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savethehumans · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Oct 20, 2004 Posts: 1541

Good list, clv101! I've read quite a few of those books myself. In fact, many are in my personal library! Thanks for sharing this! PeakOil posters: this is a GOOD LIST! Pick and choose books from it! (Take note of the used book option: you can save a lot of money that way!)

Thanks for the tip, jesus_of_suburbia! I've pre-ordered my copy of The Long Emergency; I can hardly wait until May! Smile

There should be more book recommendations on this site, IMHO!

SD_Scott · Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 11:34 pm Post subject:

I'm salivating! #### I can't wait to read those books.

Thanks for the list, good stuff.