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RR 2004/440 Encyclopedia of Energy Editor-in-Chief J. Cleveland Cutler Elsevier Academic Press Amsterdam and Boston, MA 2004 ISBN 0 121 76483 4 £1,040/$1,560 6 vols
Keyword Energy
Review DOI 10.1108/09504120410565846
Energy was once defined as capacity, activity or effect. In the modern world it also became product and political football and both blessing and curse. In his preface, Editor-in-Chief Cutler Cleveland, states that "energy is the common link between the living and non-living realms ..." (p. xxxi) and goes on to describe the comprehensive and interdisciplinary nature of this work on energy as it affects human enterprise and the wider environment. In spite of his examples, the depth, breadth, historical context and soaring reach of this encyclopedia are not fully appreciated until one explores the extent to which energy and its impact are covered by browsing each volume or by using the finding aids.
As far-reaching and encompassing as this encyclopedia is, the fact that such an all important, politically charged, economically pervasive, environmentally sensitive and life sustaining subject is condensed into just 5,000 pages is a compliment to the editors, writers, illustrators and designers, of whose work we are beneficiary. The "Guide to the encyclopedia" section discusses the organization of the 380 articles written by experts representing many disciplines from 40 countries - a truly multi-dimensional and multi-national work. The editors have divided information on energy into 20 subjects and a particular article may include discussion of one or more of these subjects: basics of energy; coal; conservation and end use; economics of energy; electricity; energy flows; environmental issues; global issues; history and energy; material use and reuse; measurement and models; nuclear power; oil and natural gas; policy issues; public issues; renewable...