Jim Huning

Not often in my career had I come across a book that so captured my attention that I keep on my desk for refrence. The Thread of Energy is one of those books. Martin J. Pasqualetti has succeeded in capturing the complexities of energy developments and use, environmental consequences and society. The book is not only a compendium of energy technologies and the human need for, and use of, energy, it also represents a 50 year journey by the author in understanding the impications of energy and society. The book is incredibly well researched, beautifully written and surprisingly easy to understand even if one does not have a background in energy. Dr. Pasqualetti has bridged the typical academic boundaries and has clearly shown how energy affects all facets of human endeavor. The amazing illustrations and photographs alone are worth the price of the book. (Figure 4.12, ab anbar and windcatcher in Yazd, Iran, was of parricular interest to me as I have spent some time researching qanats and windcathers in Iran and had the opportunity to visit this one). Economists, technologists, historians, sociologists, geographers, plamners, climatologists, among others, will find this book a valuable resource. It should also foster discussion and debate among today’s policy makers. As the world’s countries struggle with the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, the book could not be more timely. A rather short, but intriguing, chapter (11) deals with Lifestyles and associated energy demand. Pasqualetti includes several illustrations that are sobering: The Human Development Index and Energy and Population. The illustrations and accompanying text provide food for thought. He not only illustrates the situation between developed and developing countries but he also mentions how to address the problem through the use of clean energy technologies. These can have a significant impact on the Human Development Index. On a personal note I have known Dr. Pasqualetti since we were both PhD students at the University of California, Riverside, in the 1970s. While our academic foci were different (energy versus climate) we shared many experiences. While in graduate school Pasqualetti began his researdh in energy with geothermal development in the Imperial Valley and its associated environmental and social impacts. Dr. Pasqualetti continued his topical research in his academic career culminating in this magnificent book, The Thread of Energy. James R. Huning, NSF/NASA (retired)