Fuel under Fire

May 1, 2015

Gr 6 Up-This well-written, handsome volume covers the issue of global dependence on oil, financial benefits and drawbacks, and the environmental costs. The book provides an overview of the history of oil and its use, Americans' growing dependence on it, the impact on foreign and domestic politics, environmental disasters such as the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon oil spills, the North Dakota oil boom and the debate over fracking, the Keystone XL pipeline, and a look into the future with new energy sources including wind and geothermal power. This is a balanced and thought-provoking look at the issue, which demonstrates both the pros and cons of oil usage. Color photographs and attractive sidebars complement the text, while the solid back matter adds further to the appeal. VERDICT An excellent option for reports.-Patricia Ann Owens, formerly with Illinois Eastern Community Colls., Mt. Carmel

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Starred review from May 1, 2015
A thoroughgoing introduction to the omnipresent and decidedly Janus-faced world of fossil fuels. In a clear, cautionary presentation, Goldstein takes readers into the world of fossil fuels. She notes that humans have been using, on the record, fossil fuels for at least 10,000 years-that's back to the period of glacial retreat-and thus probably longer, so our current predicaments concerning their use are hardly outside our responsibility. But she is also quite specific about corporate malfeasance and political shenanigans (George Bush and Dick Cheney are sent forthwith to the garden shed) in order to increase profits for the few, grease the campaign-funding chute, and stack the deck to pass legislation that encourages environmental degradation, improper maintenance, and reckless disregard for safety oversight. Though Goldstein has an agenda, her presentation is far from hyperbolic; all of it is buttressed by facts and references augmented by sharp diagrams, crack photographs, and archival illustrations. Goldstein also knowledgeably covers the history, geology, and geopolitics of the oil industry, as well as oil-related catastrophes and easily anticipated problems coming down the road. She does not address the greater energy conundrum-if she mentions electric and biofuels as alternatives to gasoline, she doesn't interrogate their own drawbacks-but all in all, a stellar treatment of energy issues. A top-shelf explication of the energy world, measured but pulling no punches and naming names-from ExxonMobil to you and me. (notes, glossary, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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July 1, 2015
Grades 7-10 Opening with a compellingly written account of a burst oil pipeline in Arkansas, this slim volume sets out to explain the importance of petroleum, the world's dependence on the fuel, and the destructive implications of its continued use. With surprising, sickening statistics, such as every day people on Earth use about 90 million barrels of petroleum, Goldstein's exploration of the topic is designed to grab readers' attention. Broken up into chapters on what petroleum is made of, its protracted and often bloody history, Big Oil, and the extent to which it is inextricably tied to economies the world over, among others, Goldstein provides plenty of facts interspersed with quotes and stories from people with varying opinions. Petroleum, dependence upon it, and its future are all hot topics, but Goldstein gives fair and realistic coverage, including up-to-the-minute facts about fracking. Full-color photographs complement the text, though Goldstein's engaging writing style is evocative enough on its own. Back end material includes a glossary, a bibliography, and additional multimedia resources. Though concise, a solid purchase for schools and public libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)