General Description: This book is about global warming - the science and politics behind the issue. The book is attractive and comfortable in the hands despite being fairly large. It features numerous full-color maps, graphs and charts that explain everything from the greenhouse effect to turbine engines. The full-color photography is sensational, comparable to National Geographic. Despite the claims of some reviewers that the content is controversial in science, much of the information consists of basic scientific facts, simple explanations of such things as geothermal energy and solar power. Where the assertions can be contested, Gore appears to rely on consensus scientific opinion. There are 18 chapters spread over 405 pages. The chapters are divided into the following sections:
1)The Crisis
2)Our Sources of Energy
3)Living Systems (ecology and population)
4)How We Use Energy
5)The Obstacles We Need To Overcome
6)Going Far Quickly (Gore's basic plan)
Controversy: Based on what I am reading in this book and others, there is no longer a controversy in science over global warming. There are very few scientists of good reputation who deny global warming or our role in it (see the book What's The Worst That Could Happen?). The controversy is among average folks and politicians. In other words, this is a political, not a scientific controversy. Please note that Gore is referencing leading scientific bodies like The Royal Society in England and the U.S. National Academy of Science. The controversy has been generated largely by conglomerates, notably ExxonMobile, but also Shell, Texaco, General Motors, Ford and other large business combinations. This book is in no small part an expose on a massive cover up by industrial giants. And it appears to me to be an authentic, well-documented expose. But of course, as Gore admits, there are many sincere objectors, including some well-known writers, but few reputable scientists. So why all the sincere objection? To address this issue, Gore taps into psychology and neuroscience. Evolution has geared us for reacting to immediate dangers like snakes, big cats, floods, tornadoes, etc. When the danger isn't visible, we selectively repress the threat, so we can go on about dealing with more pressing problems. I think Gore's psychoanalyses, combined with his accusations of fraud and propaganda, are what's enraging conservatives here at Amazon.