[TheSupplyGuy]

This book was written in 1972 by a British scientist who specialized in thermodynamics and heat transfer. Because of the book's date, some of the facts are dated(though the author very accurately predicts current world population and energy needs today and even outlines the modernizing of third-world countries as problems to future energy supply) most of it is still relevant to today. Brinkman doesn't propose using solar power to replace our fossil fuel usage but to use it where it is economically most useful. For example, in third world countries where transporting fossil fuels is so expernsive that solar can compete in price(and also coincidently where the sun's rays are strongest along the equator), for cleaning water through boiling for use(as opposed to desalination), for use in hospitals for heating water/air, and in private homes for ovens, water, heat, and drying foods. He explains how solar energy works and the devices to create electricity. Also, how to make a solar oven, heater, dryer, and water purifier. Though he considers overpopulation a problem he offers no solution to solve it. This book requires a basic knowledge of science and a good vocabulary to read(whenever advanced scientific concepts occur, the author explains them best as he can, and there is a chapter devoted to 'first principles').