Energy: Engine of Evolution 

by Frank Niele

This rather pricey book is worth more than its price.  This is absolutely the best articulation I have encountered of how all of evolution, both physical and cultural/economic, is driven by available energy flows.  Although it is written by a Shell Oil scientist and has the look (and price) of a technical book, it is written in a very accessible "popular science" style and does not require any special expertise to read.  Niele re-categorizes evolutionary history according to "Energy Regimes" ,  and provides an invaluable  discussion about our  society's necessary transition to a renewable energy regime.  Reading this book was a tremendous clarification in my thinking about society's dependence on fossil fuel energy and where we go from here.

Reviewed by Bryan Long. 

Rating *****