Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* There are few more potent ecological images than wildlife covered in oil sludge, and the pelican on this book's cover is as heartbreaking as it is indelible. Inside, Landau documents the mind-boggling scope of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the urgent progression of measures taken to contain the calamity, which failed one after another over the ensuing months while hundreds of millions of gallons of oil continued to spew. The final chapter What's to Be Done? addresses how the disaster underscores the urgent need for discussion on finding new energy sources. It also suggests we can all use less energy and notes that while oil is a vital natural resource, so is the ocean water that covers offshore oil wells. Throughout, Landau applies the clear-sighted, nonalarmist tone of a veteran science writer but still manages to infuse the narrative with nearly the same urgency as an edge-of-your-seat disaster flick. Diagrams and photos present a revealing look at the fascinating science and technology behind deep-sea drilling and complex, one-step-forward/two-steps-back cleanup efforts. Back matter is padded with a time line of notable oil spills, glossary, source notes, and additional resources. A spate of books on this topic are likely on the horizon, but few are likely to surpass this one.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Highly relevant and informative, this book offers a valuable account of the events leading up to, causing, and resulting in what may be America's worst environmental disaster. Clear graphics illustrate the mechanics of deep-water offshore drilling, the serious problems with the blowout preventer, and the many failed attempts to stop the oil from spewing into the gulf. The massive cleanup effort, effects on habitats and wildlife, as well as the regional economic consequences are examined. The variety of methods used to mitigate the effects of the oil spill, such as the building of berms in wetland areas and the use of possibly harmful dispersants and booms to contain the spreading surface oil, are clearly discussed with arguments for and against each action. The photographs of affected wildlife are powerful and effective. Landau also addresses our ever-increasing demand for oil, the history of previous spills, and ways to lessen the chances for future environmental accidents. Some of these suggestions are very basic, and the politics of oil use and drilling are barely mentioned. The list for further reading is somewhat dated and nearly all are from this publisher. A serviceable addition for reports and class discussion.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Landau provides a blow-by-blow report of the 2010 environmental crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, from the initial explosion on the BP Deepwater Horizon Rig, through the multiple attempts to stop the flow, to the subsequent cleanup and suggestions for preventing future spills. Color photographs and technical diagrams show the effects of the spill and the fix and cleanup efforts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Oil Spill Disaster (2000). Includes eco-activities, resource lists and a tally of other major spills. (Nonfiction. 9-11)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
