A Question of Power Audiobook By Robert Bryce cover art

A Question of Power

Electricity and the Wealth of Nations

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An “informative and highly readable” (Foreign Affairs) breakdown of the history of electricity and the impact of global energy use on the world and the environment
Global demand for power is doubling every two decades, but electricity remains one of the most difficult forms of energy to supply and do so reliably. Today, some three billion people live in places where per-capita electricity use is less than what's used by an average American refrigerator. How we close the colossal gap between the electricity rich and the electricity poor will determine our success in addressing issues like women's rights, inequality, and climate change. In A Question of Power, veteran journalist Robert Bryce tells the human story of electricity, the world's most important form of energy. Through onsite reporting from India, Iceland, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, New York, and Colorado, he shows how our cities, our money—our very lives—depend on reliable flows of electricity. He highlights the factors needed for successful electrification and explains why so many people are still stuck in the dark. With vivid writing and incisive analysis, he powerfully debunks the notion that our energy needs can be met solely with renewables and demonstrates why--if we are serious about addressing climate change--nuclear energy must play a much bigger role. Electricity has fueled a new epoch in the history of civilization. A Question of Power explains how that happened and what it means for our future. Public Policy Politics & Government Technology & Society International History Globalization History & Culture

Critic reviews

"Shocking revelations about electricity.... A robust look at where the juice flows around the planet-and its planetary implications."—Kirkus Reviews
"Of all the aspects of modern life in the developed world, flipping a switch and having the lights come on ranks as one of the most underrated. It's good to be reminded, as Bryce does through powerful examples, that such convenience was unheard of until the late nineteenth century...In this wide-ranging history of electricity, power expert Bryce takes readers beyond the table lamp and microwave to demonstrate how crucial safe, dependable, and plentiful electricity is to a host of contemporary innovations, from cryptocurrency mining to marijuana cultivation."—Booklist
"Informative and highly readable"—Foreign Affairs
Thoroughly Researched • Informative Content • Interesting Ideas • Educational Insights

Highly rated for:

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Excellent overview of the power industry and the industries that use it. Politically unbiased facts and common sense without the media’s hype and sensationalism. Superbly narrated.

Fascinating Overview

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Granted the book has now been out for a few years but it’s almost better that way. The trends Robert speaks of have generally continued, and not in a good way, though reality is starting to set in some corners. Renewables are important and should continue growing but their potential has been way oversold. New nuclear, more gas-fired generation, carbon capture, hydrogen, and other new innovations must be part of our energy future.

Important book

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This is a really enjoyable read about electricity and how our whole lives are touched by it. A fun, informative and relatively short listen.

As it turns out, things are complicated. Time to start thinking through them!

A great story about how things work

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This is a thoroughly researched book dense with facts and figures. Tracing the historical arc of power in the United States, the sources, transmission and storage, it. it we use a story that is both interesting and instructive as we continue to consume more electricity.

A question of power answers. many questions

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One of the best climate change books, a must read for anyone looking to become informed on the issues we face.

fantastic

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