Using one engaging story after another, and keeping the science light and the chapters short, world authority Richard B. Alley gives his readers three takeaways: 1) the fascinating history of human energy use over the centuries; 2) a doubt-destroying presentation of the evidence that the rapidly rising level of CO2 from fossil-fueled energy is bringing damaging global warming; and 3) an eye-opening survey of the alternative-energy options available to us right now.