From Edison to Enron: The Business of Power and What It Means for the Future of Electricity |  | Author: Richard Munson Publisher: Praeger Category: Book
List Price: $20.00 Buy New: $18.00 as of 7/29/2010 21:01 CDT details You Save: $2.00 (10%)
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Media: Paperback Pages: 216 Number Of Items: 1 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7 Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 0.6
ISBN: 031336186X Dewey Decimal Number: 322 EAN: 9780313361869
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Product Description
The blackout of 2003 illuminated just how dependent America is on electricity. It was not just that some 50 million people in eight states and Ontario were cut off from their Televisions, microwaves, ATMs, and email. Without the electrical juice needed to keep their sockets alive, factory managers were forced to close production lines, city managers shut down water deliveries, grocery store clerks watched their frozen inventory slowly melt away. Economists estimated that the blackout cost Americans $5 billion even as energy analysts were predicting that a similar blackout could happen again. The catastrophe forced us to marvel at the unusual ability of sub-microscopic particles to move like waves inside a wire and cause bulbs to glow. It highlighted the complex requirements for managing the massive generators, transformers, transmission lines, and switch boxes needed to tap and deliver flowing electrons. And it revealed the cracks in a 100-year-old industry structure that have been building ever since Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and their contemporaries first managed to harness electricity and make it available to the masses. From Edison to Enron traces the controversial history of this $210 billion industry—the nation's largest— showcasing the key individuals, technological innovations, corporate machinations, and political battles that have been waged over its control. Ultimately, the author argues that current policies and practices, including those favored by the Bush Administration, are blocking entrepreneurs from producing more efficient, healthy, and sustainable power supplies. Moreoever, he presents an agenda for reforms that will stimulate economic development in the United States and around the world.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 21
Must read for all even non-geeks October 23, 2005 Suzanne Watson (Washington, DC United States) 23 out of 23 found this review helpful
I found this book a totally enthralling read. It is full of fun facts and stories that captured me from the first page. Even if you are not an energy geek, you will find this book interesting. I would almost say this should be a must read for school age kids so that they will grow up knowing what a better world we might have if we changed our mind set regarding our use of energy in this country.
Great Read October 20, 2005 William Poe (California) 20 out of 20 found this review helpful
"From Edison to Enron" is a great read. The portraits of key players are engaging and entertaining. The descriptions of modern technologies are clear and easy to understand. The book's suggested reforms are reasonable and offer hope.
Very Entertaining October 21, 2005 Matt Walker (Michigan) 20 out of 20 found this review helpful
This is a great book. I really enjoyed the stories about Edison, Westinghouse, Tesla, and other electricity pioneers. The book also makes a strong case for innovation and efficiency. I recommend it highly.
Wise and Reasoned October 29, 2005 Hal Richards (California) 20 out of 20 found this review helpful
This well-written book makes a strong case for a more innovative power system. While setting electricity in an historical context, it explains how we can increase efficiency, expand productivity, and reduce pollution. It shows that both environmentalists and utility executives must change their positions if we are to have clean, sustainable, and reliable energy.
Illuminating October 22, 2005 Rebecca Wilson (Washington, DC) 19 out of 19 found this review helpful
I've worked in the energy business for years and thought I knew most everything there was to know, but I learned a lot from this book. "From Edison to Enron" is very well written; it's full of illuminating profiles of key individuals; and it makes reasonable and business-like arguments for reform of this critical industry. I really liked this book.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 21
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