In Deep Water: The Anatomy of a Disaster, the Fate of the Gulf, and How to End Our Oil Addiction

NRDC director Lehner and author Deans (The River Where America Began) open their informative anatomy with three questions: What happened? How did we arrive at this point? And where must we go from here? Their answers form a concise narrative about the politics of oil and the environmental implications, and the human impact from current production and accidents. Equally comfortable describing the geological history of the Gulf and the fishing life known to generations, the authors trace the story of a disaster that resulted in an oil spill of 200 million gallons. Readers will be disturbed to learn that BP's engineers and executives had been warned of faults in the process, offering them numerous chances to avoid the 11 deaths and resulting spill. Lehner and Deans discuss the ultimate disaster's source - the unquenchable American thirst for oil - and suggest well-known means of reducing dependency, such as hybrid vehicles, electric trains and increased use of rail transport, and alternative fuels. While the authors do interpret government policy, readers will find the book based in facts and research. (Oct.)