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Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines | 
 enlarge | Author: Richard A. Muller
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Category: Book
List Price: $26.95
Buy New: $14.08
You Save: $12.87 (48%)
New (51) Used (8) from $14.08
Avg. Customer Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 2164
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 354
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6 x 1.5
ISBN: 0393066274
Dewey Decimal Number: 530
EAN: 9780393066272
ASIN: 0393066274
Publication Date: August 4, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Learn the science behind the headlines—the tools of terrorists, the dangers of nuclear power, and the reality of global warming.
We live in complicated, dangerous times. They are also hyper-technical times. As citizens who will elect future presidents of the most powerful and influential country in the world, we need to know—truly understand, not just rely on television's talking heads—if Iran's nascent nuclear capability is a genuine threat to the West, if biochemical weapons are likely to be developed by terrorists, if there are viable alternatives to fossil fuels that should be nurtured and supported by the government, if nuclear power should be encouraged, and if global warming is actually happening. This book is written in everyday, nontechnical language on the science behind the concerns that our nation faces in the immediate future. Even active readers of serious journalism will be surprised by the lessons that the book contains. It is "must-have" information for all presidents—and citizens—of the twenty-first century. 50 illustrations.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
 General-interest and science libraries will find it a welcome addition November 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Presidents learning about the latest terrorist threats often have to have a foundation of scientific knowledge and health savvy to assess the potential destructive capacities and dangers of various devices: PHYSICS FOR FUTURE PRESIDENTS teaches this foundation, providing a lively, non-technical primer of information for any who would select the right leader to handle such problems. It comes from a top educator and physics researcher and covers the physics of all types of terrorist weapons. Both general-interest and science libraries will find it a welcome addition.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Excellent October 30, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is the best general audience technical book I have read in a long time. Every chapter is interesting and highly informational. I would put some of the chapters in the category of required reading. We are taken in, many times, by to many myths. The author is very well balanced.
 Physics Reflections? October 15, 2008
0 out of 17 found this review helpful
Against better judgement and without reading the book, I am judging it by its cover. It is my understanding that this author has written the book for those students needing a grasp of physics with no or little prior science background. To any potential buyers, PLEASE NOTE: some overpaid idiot that designed the cover for this book obviosly failed the physics course. See the Presidential Seal in the foreground? Good. Now see the reflection of it in the chrome looking center element of the symbolic atomic structure? If at this point, you have noticed that it is not a true reflection, then you are already heads and tails above the guy that made $500 a day editing the image with Photoshop. Chances are good enough that you don't need the book to survive and that the publishers have a hard time toasting bread.
 Physics for (Right Wing) Future Presidents October 9, 2008
7 out of 13 found this review helpful
After looking through the section on Energy I was optimistic about the book and bought it. I was a little nervous about the only testimonial (on the back cover) being from an active duty enlisted military person but I shrugged it off. After finishing the book I felt hoodwinked because the author, enticing us with some accessible physics, adds a significant payload of bad decision analysis and pro-nuclear, anti-gore, anti-progress, agenda. Here are some examples of each:
Bad decision analysis because he deals strictly in probabilities and gives almost no consideration to consequence if events occur. This is a classic error -- if an action increase probability by 0.01% that may sound small but if the outcome is bad enough then you should still avoid the action. Society as a whole, not a solitary physicist, should put a "cost" on that outcome -- if they decide a higher cost than the author it doesn't make them wrong.
Anti-gore elements appear with repeated references to Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth. For example, he refutes one graph of Al Gore's with one from the American Enterprise Institute that adjusts for "Inflation, Growth, Coast Living Patterns" -- something that is hard to do and not something that I would trust a pro-industry think tank to do for me. In general, one can get press by attacking Gore but it's a shameful way to do so.
His chapters on conservation are sound and valuable. His anti-progress views are not. Many economists believe that converting our economy to low-carbon would encourage the development and growth of major new industries for clean manufacturing technology. We could be the world leaders in that area and help export it the developing world. Understanding that "progressive" agenda is key to understanding and helping to unlock the potential of America today.
I'm giving the book three stars for some good physics and deducting two stars for overuse of simple minded economic and social arguments for the powerful corporate interests that have brought this country to the brink of ruin with the help of the current presidency informed all too well by captive scientists like Richard Mueller.
 Physics for Future Presidents Review October 6, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
As a scientist and educator I find this book facinating. Rich Muller has a unique way of looking at the essential elements of the science and society topcs he chooses. He extracts essential physics principles and explains them in common sense ways.
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