Over a Barrel: A Simple Guide to the Oil Shortage

By Tom Mast

Over a Barrel: A Simple Guide to the Oil Shortage is a concise summary of the urgent oil shortage issue. It provides a balanced and factual picture of the medium-to-long range role of oil in supplying... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976444003
• ISBN13: 9780976444008
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Hayden Pub
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Spread the word ... this is a MUST READ!

Short, easy to understand, and to the point, this book cogently lays out the problems and solutions to the impending oil shortage. We have been using more oil than we are discovering for decades now, and we are on the verge of serious economic and life-style issues unless we heed this author's warning and urge our politicians to make changes now. Though this is a quick read, it is not lacking in substance. The statements are supported by extensive footnotes and bibliography for those who want to know more about the data behind the claims.

A no-nonsense, bare- facts tell-all book written for the everyman

Over A Barrel: A Simple Guide To The Oil Shortage by petroleum industry expert Tom Mast is a no-nonsense, bare- facts tell-all book written for the everyman. Why are gasoline prices so high, what are the detrimental effects of an increasing oil shortage, and what must America do about it? Over A Barrel presents chilling statistics - such as that our transportation industries are 97% dependent on oil-based fuels, and in sixty years, 80% of current oil resources will have disappeared. American need for oil makes the nation increasingly beholden to hostile oil-producing governments, and puts future generations at risk for increasing impoverishment in the wake of a rising trade deficit, among other woes. Over A Barrel emphasizes the need to get proactive, not reactive - the time to start investing in alternative energy sources is now, for a cleaner and more independent future. Above all, it is time for the federal government as surely as for innovative entrepreneurs to invest time, energy, and money into alternative fuels. Highly recommended.

How to become more involved in energy management

OVER A BARREL: A SIMPLE GUIDE TO THE OIL SHORTAGE explains the history behind the current oil shortage, the social and technical implications of the crisis, and how the move to alternative fuel sources isn't yet ready to take on the needs of mankind. Four sections explain the issues involved using clear language lacking jargon: the conclusion is that readers need to become more involved in their energy management and the solution to overcoming oil shortages. An excellent, basic survey of issues and ideas

A Succinct Look at The Oil Shortage

Written as a wake- up- call, Tom Mast's highly readable book, Over a Barrel: A Simple Guide to the Oil Shortage, succinctly sums up in ninety pages the present day danger we face pertaining to the misuse of our energy resources. The book's primary objective, as outlined in the introduction, is to influence its readers to take a more active role in promoting less dependence on hydrocarbon fuels, particularly oil. In order to accomplish this objective, the author provides his readers with a general overview of understanding energy, oil's role as a source of energy, the status of alternatives to oil, and the consequences of inaction. As pointed out, we consume energy in four broad categories: residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation. The sources of energy are oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, and other sources as hydroelectric, biomass (vegetation, animal waste etc), wind, solar, and geothermal sources. Consequently, in view of the above resources that are available, it is essential that we encourage research and full co-operation between government and industry in order to find long range alternative fuels to oil. It is also imperative that we understand that oil will not last forever and we must do everything in our power to cut down on its usage. Did you know for example, that oil was created over 100 million years ago, and in little more than a century, mankind has burned approximately half of all the oil on the planet? As the author further mentions, it has become increasingly difficult to find new oil reserves and that World oil discoveries peaked more than fifty years ago. Unbelievable as it may seem, the world uses three to four barrels of oil for every new barrel discovered. What this implies and what, according to the author we must understand, is that scarce oil and all the problems that will arise will occur not when all the oil is gone, but when we will not be able to keep up with its production. The author's forty years of expertise in the field of energy efficiency is quite in evidence with his brisk, informative and well written text. An additional enhancement is the bibliography that appears at the end of the book. Norm Goldman, Editor bookpleasures.com

Quick and to the Point

This short concise book hits the nail right on the head. The supply (production) of oil in the world can no longer keep pace with demand. Sharply rising prices signal the second half of the 200 year "Oil Age" as we begin the descent of Hubbert's Peak. The future of civilization is in great jeopardy. Read all about this most serious subject in OVER A BARREL: A Simple Guide to Oil Shortage.