Review by Choice Review
This volume is intended to be an easy-to-read guide pertaining to the problems and possibilities of electric batteries, and is aimed at policy makers rather than engineers or other technical experts. As a result, it is long on basic explanation but short on specific technical details. It begins with a short history of the battery since about 1750, followed by brief explanations of how batteries work; the political, economic, and ecological issues surrounding their construction and disposal; and their current and potential applications in transportation, and in home and industrial use. The book also examines the use of large batteries as part of electric grids and alternative forms of energy storage. The volume concludes with thoughts on low-carbon policies. The text uses photos, illustrations, charts, and graphs sparingly and effectively, although some of the charts and graphs could be more readable. There are copious endnotes but there is no bibliography. While its lack of depth makes the book unsuitable for a technical collection, it could be a solid addition to a collection focused on energy and public policy. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; professionals and general readers. --Peter Larsen, University of Rhode Island
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
