Global warming 101

Global Warming 101 is part of Greenwood Press's "Science 101" series of titles giving basic introductions on various topics. After providing a brief introduction, Johansen (Univ. of Nebraska, Omaha) gives a chapter of basics. He then devotes several chapters to specific issues and ends with a chapter of possible solutions to the problem of global warming. In trying to touch on as many aspects of the issue as possible, the author inevitably gives short shrift to most of them. He makes an effort, quite rightly, to present alternative perspectives. However, the available space is so limited that some statements seem to immediately contradict previous ones, and no effort is made to reconcile them. There are lists of references at the end of each chapter, a brief glossary, a list of important names in the field, and an annotated bibliography. The introduction states that the book is aimed at high school students, but even for these readers there are better books available at lower prices, such as Spencer Weart's The Discovery of Global Warming (2003) and Gabrielle Walker and Sir David King's The Hot Topic (CH, Sep'08, 46-0309.) Summing Up: Not recommended. A. C. Prendergast University of South Alabama