Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America's Energy Future

Big Coal (2006) is an engaging overview of the many problems with coal. It's heavy on the outrage button, but deservedly so, coal is the single biggest culprit in global warming among other public health issues. You learn a lot about how certain corporations maintain the ability to profit by polluting at the public's expense, how cynical and crass coal businessmen are in delaying and denying. It's an old story, similar to the tobacco fight, but more entractable. In the end this is a depressing book, but consider it the first in a two volume series because while it ends in 2005, the story picks up again in 2007 in Climate Hope which details the successful campaigns of activists to stop any new coal plants from being built in the USA. The show more battle rages on, it's historic and planet-saving stuff happening now. Big Coal is a good foundation to start. show less

This book inspired my Master's Thesis on abandoned mine remediation in Pennsylvania. It is wonderfully written and conveys the reality of coal and its impact. A must read for those who care about the environment and energy. And those who don't.

A good introduction to the problems of coal-burning in the United States. The author traces coal from the mine to the power plant, even riding on a coal train with a large load of coal moving west from Wyoming. An informative adventure story.

Really enjoyed this book. Perhaps a bit of schadenfreude, the US is really screwed.

A stunning indictment of the coal industry.