[EnviroEngr]

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[clv101]

I read Powerdown shortly after The Party’s Over. The two books are very closely related with Powerdown containing many references to the other. For this reason I would not recommend Powerdown to anyone who hasn’t already read The Party’s Over or already has a good understanding of Peak Oil.

Powerdown doesn’t aim to convince the reader of Peak Oil theory. It is taken as red that oil depletion is upon us and sometime soon the rate of oil extraction will decline. For this reason anyone who hasn’t already accepted this may not get on well with book.

What the book does cover are four scenarios for the future given than less oil is going to be available in the near future than today. Briefly the four scenarios can be described as:
Last One Standing – resource wars to control what remains.
Powerdown – cooperation and conservation to manage oil depletion whilst maximising the remaining way of life.
Waiting for a Magic Elixir – waiting for a ‘solution’ be it fusion, renewables, new discoveries etc… denial of the problem.
Building Lifeboats – Accepting that the current way of life can not continue, we should act to preserve the best bits, preservation.

All points are well argued although Heinberg doesn’t hide his personal political opinions, I expect this could put of anyone with opposing political views.

The saddest thing about this book is that the two things we need to do (powerdown and preservation) aren’t being done whilst the two things that only amplify the problem are being done (resource wars and denial).

Anyone who’s read The Party’s Over should definitely read this. The arguments are tighter, more mature and thought out. It is clear that Heinberg has refined his analysis between the two books.

Highly recommended.

[stu]

Like clv101 I would have to recommend reading "The Party's Over" before you read "Powerdown"

This is the first book that I have read that lays out the possible scenarios of the future. Each one is very well explained by Heinberg and he does a good job of detailing what actions need to be taken. The Building Lifeboats chapter is particularly dark as it deals with the effects of Peak Oil on society.

Heinberg analyzes different societies around the world and explains how looking at how they live can help us to understand the possible responses to PO.

He looks at Cuba and describes how their society was forced to go self sufficient in order to survive following the trade embargoes forced on it by the US. He also examines the Amish communities and explains how their traditional, agricultural lifestyle could point to ways that we would be forced to live. He also studies North Korea and offers the view that their society, currently experiencing starvation and power cuts, is a possible sign of things to come if we don't take action.

Very well written and laid out, offering clear realities and alternatives to the decisions that will be taken regarding Peak Oil.

Rating=****

[Yavicleus]

Totally agree. Read Heinburg's "The Party's Over" first, then "Powerdown." Both are great books, that don't pull the punches. Not totally doom and gloom. Pragmatic.

His writing style is very...scholarly though. Not quite approchable by many, but it was fine with me.

[Bandidoz]

This book is clearly "The Party's Over Part 2". In this Heinberg does a good treatment on the forms of denial and how the real common denominator of "the problem", overpopulation, is being suppressed by all groups.

I really do like Heinberg's style of writing, it's very clear, lucid, easy to read and follow.

Rating=****

[Aaron]

http://www.peakoil.com/reviews.html

[Ryan]

I just finished reading Powerdown yesterday. It's a pretty grim look at the future. At least the way I read it given that the more sensible approaches aren't likely to be followed. My wife and I were planning a future lifestyle that is a combination of Heinberg's powerdown/life-boat building long before we started reading about peak oil. After reading about peak oil we're realizing that it is going to be more difficult than we imagined.

[Revi]

I agree with Heinberg's bleak future, but we're building a lifeboat anyway. We may be able to live a semblance of a civilized lifestyle with a small solar led light system, solar hot water and wood heat. If you do nothing you are going to have a very hard time. At least building a lifeboat gives us a goal. The odds are still slim, but they are better than just waiting for the inevitable. Everything we've done so far works in today's economy and will work better in the future. We got a woodlot and heat about half with wood, shrunk our cars and cut the energy use in our house. We live in a small town. If I had one thing to say about Powerdown it is that Heinberg doesn't offer the alternatives that an average person can employ to cut their energy consumption. There are many things we can do, and they will save energy right now and into the future. Why wail? The ship is going down. Start building a raft. Now!

[I_Like_Plants]

Yep read Party's Over first then Powerdown, my library had both, I'd not want to fight the proles for the latest novels though!

Powerdown's worth it just for the two pages' on the neocons - what they are, how they were founded, what their methods and aims are. Buy it just for that!

I also like the mental picture of the raft made of tar paper, with a raging party going on on it, etc., very vivid, I'm not going to spoil it for you, just get the book!

And Heinberg's another walk-the-walk guy, grows his own food as much as possible etc. I always admire that.

Highly recommended!