An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It

great read

This is a very thick paperback. I got a little disgusted knowing I needed to read this for Conservation class. But when I got into the book and discovered what was happening to the air around me it got me thinking. Everyone should read this book. It is informative even if you don't believe what Gore says. It's reading that makes you think and sometimes worry. After taking this class, I'm more concerned about the environment we live in and try to recycle everything I use today.

Best Part: The best part of An Inconvenient truth is the ending. Al Gore brings up the point that earth is our only home, and we must take care of it. He encourages the fact that you can preserve the health of our planet so that it will remain beautiful for generations and centuries to come.Most Interesting: One of the most interesting parts of this book is the side effects that technology has on the Earth. There are also some improvements that technology has made. One of them being that it has improved people’s lives in many ways. “A hundred and fifty years ago, before the invention of the electric lightbulb, the world at night was dark”. However technology hasn’t always been used wisely. The former Soviet Union diverted water from two mighty rivers in Central Asia in order to irrigate cotton fields.Was It A Good Book: Yes, This book was an interesting book because it was filled with many interesting facts about global warming and the impact humans have made on the planet. Al Gore who was Bill Clintons vice president narrates the book and the movie. He talked about his personal experiences with the change in today’s society and how it affects the world around him and also about his travels and understanding of the changes being made to the atmosphere.

As a chemical engineer, I was somewhat dubious of the forecasts of global warming. I grew up in the 70's when we learned to doubt everything, to recognize spin in every statement from the left and the right. It is a weakness of being human that signs of gradual change are missed.Although the author's book has a clear political message I can find no fault in his basic reasoning. The presentation is sound, though it often relies on anecdotal information. He avoids drastic, unsupportable statements. When describing the danger of diluting the Atlantic and diminishing the Gulf Stream circulation he avoids the conclusion of the movie, "The Day After Tomorrow." Such gloom and doom movies do not supply the grist for serious debate. What Al Gore has done is present basic facts, at a middle school level, for the public to consider. If you can look at a picture of a glacier in the Andres and argue that it's a natural cycle of nature -- good luck.So, what is lacking? Perhaps it's the scientist in me that wants more statistical analysis. The charts, graphs and photos are very useful but looking at the hard data is often better for number-crunchers.This is a great book for children and adults a like. The pictures alone make it worthwhile.If this review was helpful, please vote.

Al Gore is doing humanity a huge favor by forcing domestic policy focus on the political issue of global warming and climate change. The multiple book font type and illistrations are, in my opinion, distracting and unusual. Then on the other hand, the topic of climate change is unusual. The DVD video is, in my view, a much more powerful product. The message is essential to understand not only from the damage being imposed on the atmospheric global commons but the damage being imposed on the American economy as the European Union (EU) and 166 nation signatories begin to act upon the Kyoto Protocols -- the protocol actually advanced by the US Government from the onset of the Framework on Climate Change. The book and DVD are powerful introductions to the study of climate change by the non-scientist. The real SCARE comes after digging into the real science of climate change. The so-called 'junk science' is produced by those seeking to mask the need for change. I would recommend several books on the European Emissions Trading Scheme and how the carbon trade is operating in Europe as a means to understanding the future of climate policy after the Al Gore book and DVD introductions to the issue. The carbon market exchange will be a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States post-2010. This book can serve to understand why the carbon market will be of such significance in the future.

Has tons of photos and little content of rateable value. Not what I expected from a VP

Fantastic book. I haven't seen the film yet, but I loved the book.Gore does a wonderful job of presenting the data beside interesting diagrams which really help illustrate his point. Whether you believe global warming is a problem or not, you'll probably find this book interesting.Towards the end, is a list of things each person can do to help limit their carbon footprint. Simple things like changing lightbulbs to CFL's can significantly reduce the amount of pollution. Or, turning your thormostat up 1 degree. Saves you money, and saves the environment. Buying energy efficient appliances, unplugging electronics when not in use, turning lights off, etc. All little things that help. I've tried to institute as many of these as possible at my home. I can honestly say that swapping out regular lightbuls for CFL's is saving me money. And if it helps the environment, why not? I recommend picking up this book and at least just flipping through it. There is some great time-lapse photography of melting glaciers and other illustrations demonstrating that our planet is indeed warming.

Very Nice !!! Thank You !!!

A few years ago I watched An Inconvenient Truth where upon I suddenly felt quite guilty about being sat in a half empty aeroplane flying across the Atlantic Ocean. When I returned from my trip I bought this book and became a little more determined to do my dutiful bit to reduce man-made global warming.The book is based on scientific facts and some theories about where we are heading, and therefore there are going to be people who think the world is going to end and the people who think that the theories are all wrong and that nothing could be further than the truth.The book and show/presentation does paint a bit of a gloomy picture, but you do get a sense of "We better start paying attention to this". The book has not dated and it is still worth a read/view from time to time to remind us why we are recycling and trying to reduce our greenhouse gasses.The book and show has not had a favourable response from all scientific communities and I think it may have faired better if it hadn't have been so heavy in the "End is nigh" vein. You have to remember that this book came about when the whole global warming theme was becoming a household name and so the majority of us needed to be brought into this gently so the book was a bit of a shock factor. You could argue that that is what was needed, but as my the saying goes "softly, softly, catchee monkey"Now it is about 6 years on and we are mentally geared up to this and so the shock factor has worn off, but the realities are just the same.I watched a documentary this week with Prof. Ian Stewart and, paraphrasing him, he said that we don't have to worry about the earth, it will heal, it has recovered after massive climatic disasters in the past. It is the human race that may not survive. I found that comment to be a bit more chilling!

The cover of the book was badly ripped and dirty. I would consider this a poor quality book not very good. Disappointed, would only ever buy books in respectable condition, threw it away as easier than returning.

I was not aware that Al Gore was an Activist until I saw this book, It made good reading except for the printing very close to the binding, which is not good in any book.

Extremely important. A cry for help on behalf of our planet.

Good read indeed