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Every Citizen Should Read

I hesitantly ordered the book thinking it would be dull but was intrigued by the author interview I saw on TV... Wow! Once I started reading, I buzzed through it and understood our energy situation in a new light. Shuster is right to be worried about the futures of our grandchildren! Read his book to find solutions and hope! We can only solve the problems once we understand the facts.

A Very Important Read!

Shuster's book is a landmark work on the energy crisis we are facing today. He pulls no punches. What really infuriates me is the total lack of media coverage on the newest nuclear energy developments. T. Boone Pickens picked the wrong horse! The 'Fast Neutron Reactors,' UREX+ and the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) seem to me to be the answer to many of our current energy and weapons proliferation issues. Are the anti-nuclear activists that powerful or are the media too lazy to learn about this technology? Where are our leaders?

Be Informed

I read this book and learned many facts that absolutely astounded me. We have been fooled, lied to, misinformed and misdirected for WAY TOO LONG. Read this book and YOU will be able to tell if our leaders, 'experts' and journalists are speaking energy truth or fiction. This book is a GREAT GIFT to every one of us. Buy one, read it and pass it on to a friend.

A Reviewer

Forget the spin, here are the facts plain and not so simple. This book should be required reading for every legislator, congressman, senator, etc. Better yet, required reading for every voter. This is the best book written to respond to our lack of an energy policy.

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Imagine a world awash in affordable, pollution-free energy where international resource conflicts are nonexistent and freedom reigns supreme. Now, visualize a world where energy is limited and expensive, international resource conflicts are common and freedom is a thing of the past. In which world would you rather live? According to Joseph Shuster, if things don’t change and don’t change fast we are irreversibly headed toward a future of scarce, expensive energy and unending international conflicts over limited fossil resources.

The 76 year old Shuster, a retired successful chemical engineer, reviewed about 60 books on energy before deciding he needed to write his own. The result, Beyond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040, identifies the problem which, according to Shuster, isn’t global warming now but it might be in the future if massive burning of coal occurs worldwide. The more immediate problem is national security. Through the essential mechanism of energy independence, national security can be realized and, according to Shuster, the sooner the better.

Without a viable plan to achieve energy independence in a timely manner, continued reliance on finite fossil fuels, especially conventional oil, will bring a future rife with conflict as America subsidizes its voracious gasoline appetite. Although most Americans were shocked at the high gas prices experienced last summer, Shuster credibly contends that the true cost of gas is several times higher due to military and other governmental expenditures required to keep those resources secure.

Creating a real eye-opening experience, Shuster details country by country the known reserves of fossil fuels -- oil, natural gas and coal – the current usage rates and how much time before the limited resource is depleted. For example, assuming current usage and growth conventional global oil reserves of about 1 trillion barrels will be depleted in less than 50 years. When these finite resources are drawn down international conflicts will ramp up.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. And Shuster highlights one way to achieve energy independence by 2040 with minimal impact on the environment. But in order to make the transition from fossil to the fuel of the future the first steps need to be taken now.

These first steps, according to Shuster, include the realization that commercial spent fuel contains valuable sources of energy, which when reprocessed can be re-used over and over in breeder reactors. Through the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, Shuster argues, we should develop and share the breeder reactor technology to produce electricity for residential and commercial applications as well as to charge the batteries of a new generation of electric vehicles.

Currently there are no operating commercial breeder reactors supplying electricity anywhere in the world. Although a few breeder reactors have operated intermittently in the past, technical problems inherent with any new technology plagued them and they are now closed. Regardless, Beyond Fossil Fools makes the case that national security and energy independence are closely linked. The only thing that remains is to bring that linkage to the forefront of the energy debate and focus on the real risks, not some exaggerated hypothetical computer model generated risk that apparently fixates many powerful people.

Randy Brich 

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I found Beyond Fossil Fools to be an accurate and understandable (think scary) analysis of the current world energy situation, its risks and dangers, and a specific, rational outline that addresses the world’s energy needs. It should be required reading for anyone who chooses to speak on the subject, or who is in a position to influence significant energy decisions (like Health Physicists!)

The author (who isn’t even a nuclear engineer or Health Physicist) has written perhaps the most readable and intelligent book to appear on the unfolding energy crisis. Beyond Fossil Fools not only covers many of the energy options that we hear about everyday, but does so in a way that is easy to understand and yet quantitative. He correctly points out that nuclear power isn’t a “silver bullet”, but part of a balanced energy portfolio. Neither the country nor the world can afford the ongoing lack of a coherent energy policy, and it is hoped that those responsible for putting one together will read this book.

The book is written in a very captivating and easy-to-read fashion. I guarantee it won’t bore you. The author has even created a website, www.beyondfossilfools.com , with LOTS of additional information, video clips and podcasts to add to the message. In the preface, the author states: “I have no axes to grind, no vested interests to protect, no political positions to advance, no biases to hide. Neither politics nor profits motivate me. Politicians from both parties have been hostage to special interest groups resulting in bad energy policy. Similarly, I will donate any profit from this book to energy research. ” After appearing before Congress, along with oil executives “sharing” their respective worldviews, one of the oil executives asked him: “Who do you work for anyway?” His answer: “My grandchildren!” Take a look in the mirror aging HPs. Need I say more? 

Mark L Miller, CHP 

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Book Review in Health Physics Journal February 2009 (The opinions expressed in this section are those of the authors and do not represent the official opinion or position of the Journal, the Health Physics Society, or the authors’ institutions.)

THE CURRENT energy crisis has produced a spate of books offering “solutions” by some specific date.

A fair number of them are by single-agenda authors who often blatantly ignore any factors, whether technical, environmental, or economic, that would contradict their favorite technological fix. Many also do not clearly distinguish the different conditions and requirements for producing electricity from those ruling the fuel requirements for transportation. As a result, I am somewhat leery of any book promising yet another painless path to renewable and affordable energy in the foreseeable future, let alone the phantom of “energy independence.” That said, Shuster’s book provides a refreshingly objective evaluation of the various technologies that either exist or have been proposed to expand the availability of additional energy sources. In a large-print debate-style format he attempts to explain the nature of each energy source in turn, presents arguments in their favor, their costs, their drawbacks, and at last “the bottom line.” The book is divided into three parts: Part 1, titled “Problems: Fossil Foolishness,” reviews the present situation and is less contentious than the title suggests. It describes the present dependence on coal, natural gas, and oil and provides some useful data on resources, usage, and production costs.

Under the heading “Fossil Fuel Disasters,” it describes the environmental impact of acid rain, mercury releases, ozone and air pollution. After discussing the impact of population growth the author rather scathingly deals with global warming; he considers much of the public debate fueled by ignorance and many of the proposed remedies unrealistic and ineffective. He then rather briefly summarizes energy consumption and resources of the United States, China, and India. Part 2, titled “Solutions,” contains the gist of the argument. First, solar energy is discussed in practical terms, primarily as a source of peaking power and for use in remote, off-grid locations. The advantages and challenges for solar energy are presented fairly, particularly with respect to converter technology and actual costs. Next, a similar discussion is presented for wind power, including available technology, costs, and inherent limits. This is followed by a chapter on biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, whose costs are heavily influenced by subsidies, a policy that Shuster happily endorses. The next chapters deal with nuclear energy, clearly the author’s favorite option. He provides some background on the current situation and presses for continued and accelerated progress. He deplores the stance of most of the media and expresses his distaste for the more prominent antinuclear activists. His ultimate preference is the fast-neutron breeder reactor coupled with reprocessing as envisaged by the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). A separate chapter discusses very concisely “radiation,” low-level dose effects and medical applications, the major historical reactor accidents, and concerns about the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The bottom line: The United States must expedite the building of a fast reactor pilot plant to be operational within four years. Finally, rather briefly, there are chapters on management of water resources and on the hydrogen economy, which is not considered viable or significant at this time. The last part, “A New Dawn,” reviews the energy requirements of the transportation sector and possible reductions in energy demand by advances in efficiency, design, and a transition to electric cars. For the next 30 years’ transition the author merely recommends accelerated development of oil extraction from shales and a rapid expansion of nuclear power for electricity generation. Presumably, any so-called “solution” to the energy crisis must meet two criteria: 1. A reduction in the dependence of transportation on petroleum products, whether domestic or imported, through conservation, higher efficiencies and a shift to electricpowered vehicles, at affordable cost and minimum environmental detriment; and, 2. A rapid increase in electric power generating capacity and distribution at a rate sufficient to match population increases and the added demand to supply transportation at an acceptable cost. Under present conditions it is difficult to see fast neutron reactors getting built at the required rate or even conventional nuclear power plants being constructed in sufficient numbers and quickly enough to meet anticipated demand. Similarly, increased reliance on oil from oil shales does not really meet the above criteria. To that extent Shuster has not found the magic “solution” either.

Nevertheless, the book provides a thoughtprovoking analysis of many of the issues, may serve as a reference for many of the ongoing debates on the subject, and will confirm many of the convictions of readers of this journal. 

GEOFFREY G. EICHHOLZ
1784 Noble Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30306 

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Reviewers on Amazon.com have been receiving Beyond Fossil Fools well! Check out the reviews.

Mr. Shuster,

This is Chris O'Byrne, Teri Kojetin's brother and another former chemical engineer. She told me that you were interested in feedback about your book, so here are some of my initial impressions. 

The overall impression that I received while reading the book was that the information was very well researched and presented. I did not get the impression that you were simply presenting hand-picked information to support a pet thesis. Instead, you looked at an issue that has been agreed upon by most to be one necessary to solve as soon as possible and you then provided a scientifically solid and realistic solution. At this point you could have simply ignored all of the possible solutions except for the one that your research has shown to be the most viable. Instead, you looked at both the pros and cons of each of the possible solutions and gave them their appropriate place in the total solution.

Although I consider myself to be a realistic environmentalist, I was not aware of all of the facts about nuclear energy. Not only am I now a staunch supporter of nuclear energy as the only viable solution to our energy situation (as cold fusion and similar hopes have not yet seen fulfillment), I am left feeling optimistic about our future. I have a couple of forthcoming web-based projects and am certain that I will promote your book and give a fair review of its contents. Thank you for the book and for signing it for me. I have loaned it to a friend of mine that runs an alternative news site in Las Cruces (www.grass-roots-press.com) that I designed and will encourage him to discuss it as well.

 Thank you for your time,

Chris O'Byrne
Arivaca, AZ

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Beyond Fossil Fools is a masterful analysis of the current world energy situation, its risks and dangers, and it outlines a specific, rational plan to address the world’s energy needs. It should be required reading for anyone who chooses to speak on the subject, or who is in a position to influence significant energy decisions. It should also be required reading for all high school science classes.

 

Bill Hannum
Nuclear Physicist, Head of Nuclear Physics Development and Reactor Safety Research at the Dep't of Energy 

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"Joseph Shuster has written perhaps the most readable and intelligent book to appear on the unfolding energy crisis. This book not only covers many of the energy options that we hear about everyday, but does so in a way that is easy to understand and yet quantitative,² says Gerald Marsh. ³While there is no single solution to the energy crisis, this book pulls together the many facets of the solution into a coherent whole. For those wanting to rapidly understand the magnitude of the problem and the way to avoid future energy wars, the book offers an Overview and a Bottom Line for each chapter. I would recommend reading these summaries first and then reading the book in detail. The country can no longer afford the lack of a coherent energy policy, and it is hoped that those responsible for putting one together will read this book."

Gerald Marsh is a physicist, retired from Argonne National Laboratory, who has worked and published widely in the areas of science, nuclear power, and foreign affairs. He was a consultant to the Department of Defense on strategic nuclear technology and policy in the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations, and served with the U.S. START (arms control) delegation in Geneva. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. His most recent book is: ³The Phantom Defense: America¹s Pursuit of the Star Wars Illusion² (Praeger Press)."

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5/27/2008 

By Fred Zimmerman for Precision Machining 

With gas prices hovering at $4 per gallon, airlines operating at record losses, and myriads of companies, families, and communities buffeted by high energy costs, political candidates of all parties are striving to coin the repeatable sound bite on the energy situation. But, there isn't one. The current energy crisis has been building for a hundred years and groundless platitudes are not needed. Applied science is needed. 

Applied science is now available in a fascinating new book on energy, written by a fellow manufacturer. Beyond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040 is the most factual and authoritative treatment of the energy situation that I have ever read or heard about. It does not crusade, but it does encourage us to respond to our pressing imperatives. The book is scientific, written from the perspective of a successful engineer, entrepreneur, businessman, and corporate director. But the book contains heart; written on behalf of our grandchildren. Above all, it is neither simplistic nor gloomy. Thankfully, it is practical and hopeful.

Joseph M. Shuster is the founder or cofounder several successful companies including Minnesota Valley Engineering, Cryo-Diffusion, Cryo-Diffusion (a French manufacturer of cryogenic equipment); Agro-K Corporation (a developer of biological farming systems); International Cryobiological Services; Cool Clean and several other companies. He has also served as the President of the Minnesota High Tech Association and on the boards of directors of several companies. Joe received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota in 1955.His book is a hopeful and believable scholarly treatment of the options before us; which ones will work, which ones are hype, and what practical steps we need to take to improve our chances of achieving a more stable energy situation in the future.

It is hard to describe the tone of Joe's book. He does not pander, as so many of the politicians do. He resists laying all of the blame on evil parties distant from ourselves. The tone is much like a mid-twentieth century nun who lovingly stands over her class with a ruler. The book is written in behalf of younger citizens so they may escape the rampart turmoil likely to emerge in a world chronically short of energy. The book displays caring of the highest order...

Download the full Zimmerman review

Fred Zimmerman is a retired Industrialist and 
Management Professor at the University of St. Thomas 

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May 17, 2008

Here are my opinions about the book and author.

1) You are not only a good writer, but more importantly, for a book of this type and excellent communicator.

2) Your book has the potential to modify mankinds' view regarding fossil fuels and actually guide the U.S. to energy independence.

3) Your place in history is assured...not bad for a kid from Cabrini Green.

 

Bill Baker
Rancher & Retired
Insurance Executive