Susan Gaines's Carbon Dreams is the best science novel I've ever read. The characters, the intense excitement as a major discovery unfolds, the comradery, the jealousies and cutthroat infighting brought back memories fond and not so fond of my 38 years as a chemistry prof. The sacrifices her major character has to make for the sake of her career are heart-breaking and, unfortunately, rather realistic--science is still not very kind to women in America.
Often when I read novels involving science I must suspend disbelief and overlook major flaws in the author's understanding of science. Not so here--Gaines's science is impeccable. This is particularly remarkable when one considers the breadth and richness of the scientific tapestry she weaves.
The conflict between basic research and applied technology and the ethical questions this raises at the practical level are handled realistically and brilliantly.
If you want to get a feeling for how science works, this book is a good place to start.

As a woman receiving her doctorate in geochemistry this year, I
have to say this is the absolute best portrayal of how science works in the real world that I've read. Ms. Gaines is wonderful
at communicating the passion, enthusiasm and obsession that come
with stretching the limits of the known. She also accurately presents how funding can subtlely shape what science gets done
and some of the difficult choices women face in higher academia.
I'd like to believe the possibilities for women are not as
limited as are presented here, but I think in the early '80s
it's an accurate portrayal. She also presents how self-centered
and emotionally stunted scientists can be. A difficult book, but
I liked this book so well I bought two copies (on my very
limited student stipend) for fellow female graduate student
friends of mine.

This would also be wonderful discussion book for book clubs.

While I believe that women will find this novel more to their liking than most men, I don't consider that a failing, but rather a choice by the author/publisher. Rather, I should say, it will be compelling reading for women who understand the dilemma of having to choose between traditional romantic life and a demanding and absorbing career. Gaines does a good job of weaving together the difficulties inherent in both parts of life, and especially excels at descriptions of scientific procedure and theoretical pondering, while keeping the pace lively and engaging. This is a masterful first novel, especially considering its rather ambitious scope. My only criticisms are that some of the scientific descriptions are repetitious rather than illuminating (extensive diagrams would have been interesting) and I felt that the main character was a bit too ambivalent about her resolutions and the author allowed that ambivalence to carry too much weight at the end of the novel. Still, this is a trivial criticism considering the accomplishment of the novel as a whole and its unique and interesting view of a world that we rarely see. I liked it so much I bought three additional copies and sent them to friends who are scientists. I recommend it highly.

I have just finished reading Leggett's book about the war for the protection of our atmosphere. It is a riveting account of the strident efforts experienced and well-intentioned scientists from all over the world have made to try to bring humanity to a reasonable acceptance of the extreme dangers that ignoring the risks of global warming will bring upon our planet. It is shocking that so far they have clearly lost the war; oil, coal, and automobile interests have successfully undermined international conventions and treaties which were designed to protect the Earth. If fossil fuel, energy and automobile interests continue to "win" (although as pointed out in the book, it really amounts to a huge loss), we will all be affected, rich or poor, South or North, nobody stands to gain. As Leggett's book makes obvious, humanity has never before had its hands on so much information about its own substantive elements, its past and its future; and yet,seemed to be willing to throw its own intelligence into the wind, scrapping its safety catches, all for the sake of some weird sense of 'material progress' spoon-fed to us by commercial-driven media. This books points directly to the moments in time when human progress could have advanced into a more sane, and probably more interesting variety of developmental possibilities. Read it and relish its not-at-all hidden wisdom--it will be one of the unforgetable learning moments of your reading life.

A friend of mine who is a political scientist told me to read Jeremy Leggett's The Carbon War. He said it was the best book he'd ever seen on the politics of global climate change. After reading it, I have to agree.

Leggett taught oil geology at Britain's Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine before transferring his allegiance to Greenpeace, where he directed their Climate Campaign and later their Solar Initiative. In The Carbon War he provides an insider's view of the decade of battles leading up to the Kyoto treaty. Through his eyes we get to see the intense machinations of the great oil companies and their allies as they fight to block the international movement to develop a binding climate agreement. Leggett pulls no punches. He provides names, dates and details of the non-stop lobbying, shameless "scientific" distortions, and well-financed public relations campaigns by what he and other environmentalists dubbed "The Carbon Club." He describes in depth the behind-the-scenes collusion, pressure tactics and smears that stymied progress on the climate despite a decade of climate-related catastrophes and increasing scientific certainty about global warming and its ramifications. He also reports on the counter-punches Greenpeace and other environmental groups managed to land--for example alerting the hemorrhaging insurance industry that their catastrophic losses were not accidental and were bound to get worse unless greenhouse emissions are reduced.

The book ends in 2000, but all the forces Leggett reveals remain in play today. The World Summit in Johannesburg this September was torn by the same battles and struggled to reach the same kind of will-of-the-wisp agreements as Kyoto. For anyone who believes, as Leggett clearly does, that we must reduce our destabilizing assault on the atmosphere in order to maintain a stable and livable climate, this book is a must. It dives deep beneath the headlines to let you know how vital decisions concerning development, the deployment of resources, and our shared future, are actually being made. As Leggett says, "The race against time is on, and we should have started running by now; racing to crank up the solar revolution, racing to mobilizing the capital markets as engines for survival instead of suicide."

Robert Adler, author of Science Firsts: From the Creation of Science to the Science of Creation (Wiley, 2002).

Jeremy Leggett has written an outstanding book. A one time petroleum geologist teaching at the London School of Mines, in the 1980s Dr Leggett became concerned about climate change from carbon dioxide build up in the atmosphere. He gave up a comfortable career to become a lobbyist for the environmental movement. In this role he has met all the main characters opposing and supporting greenhouse gas treaties. He describes not only the science, the politics, and the economics of the global warming issue, but also the personalities in "the Carbon War." between the fossil fuel industry on one hand and the environmental lobby on the other. The insights into both sides of this protracted war are fascinating - as are the various dirty tricks campaigns employed by the fossil fuel brigade. Dr Leggett writes not from the detachment of a scientist, but with the passion of someone with a vital message to sell and a vital cause to push. As premier science writer John Gribbin said on the book's front cover "the best book yet about the politics of global warming."

Protein skimmers and activated carbon are probably the two most misundsrstood or non-understood factors in all of amateur fishkeeping.

This is not a book, it's a pamphlet. But it's a great value when it comes to the information therein

Bob Goemens is a well-known and respected expert in the saltwater aquarium industry for his knowledge and research. This booklet gives some fantastic advice on how to set up and maintain protein skimmers and activated carbon filtration. Goemens presents the information in a very straightforward, easy-to-understand way, providing descriptions and detail without overburdoning the reader with unnecessary terminology. He starts with a brief history of protein skimming, then discusses the verious types of skimmers and how to select the correct one for your system, then continues with detailed information about how to set a skimmer up and maintain it. I found his discussion on foam production and how to maximize it invaluable in making my filtration system at home much more efficient -- and my water is more crystal-clear than ever before as a result! His section on activated carbon is more concise (as there is less to carbon filtration than there is to skimming) but is equally informative. It includes how carbon works, how to select activated carbon and how to maintain it. This is a great reference booklet!

this book is excellent in the details of protein skimming,and what to expect and how to chose the right skimmer for you tank!very very good detalied book

Very visual, gripping tale of futuristic pheromone powered self discovery. A little sticky at times, but an enjoyable read. Send the book to Hollywood. Could be the next Clockwork Orange, or 12 Monkeys.

A very impressive book from first time author Adam Furgang. In this short novel we are taken on a wild introspective ride inside the head of the protagonist, Oliver, a yound man who is dealing with the loss of his dead sister Meredith. Eunice, Meredith's old best friend comes to Oliver's aid in his time of need. At several points the novel gets very erotic and harsh. The simple story is realistic and I recommend this book for anyone who loves to read a modern well written book.

"An excellent, well-integrated book that ranges from marine viruses to filamentous cyanophyceans and treats the processes mediated by them. The aerobic heterotrophic bateria in the open ocean and the biogeochemcial role of the assemblages are emphasized in most of the 16 chapters. The authors, none of them a 'pure' microbiologist but all attuned to biogeochemical questions, provide modern reviews of the basics, but ample space is given to open issues. About two-thirds of the very many references date from 1990 to 1999." --Karl Banse, University of Washington

"Microbial Ecology of the Oceans" presents timely and up-to-date reviews of various aspects of microbial ecology of the marine water column....Well-written and authoritative chapters should make it useful as a text for advanced courses and for graduate students. Altogether, I can warmly recommend it to anyone interested in microbial ecology and biological oceanography."

--Tom Fenchel, Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen

I'm Metallurgical Engineering.Every day, i will read many books because i can use for my work, my class, my life, etc. I'm studying about high strength low alloy steel and i interest in the properties of this alloys.It can be helped many companies that they produce cars.They can ues this alloy to produce cars for inclease the strength of the car and it can be safed people in the car.

Confused and/or overwhelmed by tons of sometimes conflicting information bombarding us about global warming and energy policy? The Carbon Conundrum can help with its concise overview of the data, issues, and policies. This book analyzes three policies: business as usual, the Kyoto Protocol, and a third alternative proposed Mr. Kelly. The Carbon Conundrum also provides additional information if you want to get into some of the theory, and even more information for the more adventurous individuals interested in the mathematical modeling.

It is difficult to disscuss the book, because I have not the possibility to buy one. I would like to say, that this book is very interesting for me, because I work in area of acetylene and diacetylene chemistry.

Former geology consultant for the oil industry, Dr Jeremy Leggett turned his life around when he decided to jump the fence and join the fight to try and prevent catastrophic climate change caused by our addiction to fossil fuels. The book chronicles his new carreer as a scientist/lobbyist fighting the good fight and his constant brawls with lobbyists from the oil and coal organizations.

Great introduction to climate change issues and the probable consequences of losing this fight. A unique look at high-level lobbying and the way some corporations are ready to risk our collective well-being to protect their short-term bottom-line. A must-read for activists, lobbyists, PR professionals and concerned citizens everywhere.

Thumbs up!