Part II

Book #2 is:
Plan C: Community Survival Strategies for Peak Oil and Climate Change
Pat Murphy.

This is the book for people who want statistics. It is a lot more complex than the previous book. There are unfortunately not as many specific tips or guidelines for the average individual to implement. But there are a few different suggestions and areas covered in more detail - such as rough guidelines for retrofitting houses to be more efficient. There is a chapter on the "Smart Jitney" transport system, which is a way to provide rides to people using current cars (a little like a taxi service but more sophisticated and allowing for more people per vehicle). It would significantly reduce the use of private cars. There's a long section on what foods are grown and manufactured in the US (and how bad this all is). There is also a long (and somewhat tedious) section on how terrible the American media is...which I have no doubt is true, at least to some degree. We here in Casa de Lueer do not own a TV, but I watch a number of shows online, and Marcus watches a lot of kids' DVDs (all of which are commercial-free, but provide some influences, I suppose). And of course we are Internet addicts here, with Chris also addicted to reading a lot of news - no doubt censored by biased corporations. Marcus, given the opportunity, would probably spend most of his time either watching shows or playing computer games.

So, in summary, I think that this is an interesting and useful book that can complement "Depletion and Abundance", but if you want one book with a more personable feel and day-to-day suggestions, stick with Sharon Astyk. This one is more...academic.