Last Light

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 20 Nov 2007, 11:53

The feedback has mainly been intitial scepticism along the lines of 'oh, we won't run out of oil' or 'market forces will produce some new wonderful energy source before we get too desperate'. But then by the end of the book, they're examining a wider issue of how terribly interdependent we are, particularly in a place like the UK where we literally make/grow nothing.

Some previously ignorant readers have then gone on to google 'Peak Oil' and been utterly terrified by what they've found. So...to some degree, the book is doing what I hoped it would, namely addressing those who've never heard of PO, rather than preaching to the already converted.

Bedrock Barney · Post by **Bedrock Barney** » 20 Nov 2007, 15:41

I've put the book on my Christmas list and I hope Santa is able to find me a copy and get it down the chimney.

WolfattheDoor · Post by **WolfattheDoor** » 11 Dec 2007, 10:10

I've borrowed it from the library (sorry Alex) and I'm enjoying it. I put it on the Further Info page of Wolf at the Door along with John Seymour's "Retrieved from the Future" as peak oil fiction.

Post by **clv101** » 11 Dec 2007, 10:23

I still haven't read my copy, picked it up months ago. However I give it to my girlfriend who read it in two days and loved it!

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 11 Dec 2007, 10:34

I'm not surprised you haven't read it!

You seem to be writing PO articles, attending talks etc 110% of the time!

Do you ever sleep???

Post by **mikepepler** » 11 Dec 2007, 20:38

I've just got a copy - will start it tomorrow I expect.

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 12 Dec 2007, 21:07

thanks wolf...as the Asda maxim goes...every little helps.

Bedrock Barney · Post by **Bedrock Barney** » 26 Dec 2007, 13:10

Santa was good to his word and delivered 'Last Light'. Will report back in a few days.

Alex - do you want a 'warts 'n all' review or some New year platitudes?!

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 27 Dec 2007, 16:01

Warts and all is fine. I can take it.

Of course if you re-e-e-eally like it, a review on DODGY TAX AVOIDERS would help.

Eternal Sunshine · Post by **Eternal Sunshine** » 27 Dec 2007, 22:03

I bought Last Light for my OH for Xmas. Will let you know what he thinks Alex.

(And at some point after that I'm sure he'll let me read it).

Post by **mikepepler** » 28 Dec 2007, 21:16

Well I thought it was a great story.

The scary thing is that I feel it presented a plausible scenario leading to a very fast crash. By "scenario" I'm referring to damage to oil supply infrastructure, not necessarily a conspiracy behind that damage (though I wouldn't rule that out either!)

With supply so tight, if there was a sudden threat of a supply disruption, the govt may well be forced to act fast.

I suppose my only criticism is that (for now at least) the UK still has local oil supply that would almost meet consumption. But fast forward 5 years and that will no longer be the case. And I suppose if you have a global crisis anyway, it may not matter what's available locally.

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 28 Dec 2007, 23:22

Thanks Mike, glad you enjoyed it.

I'd love to see what Richard and Judy would make of it - you know...as opposed to the usual celelb biographies and mindless drivel they review on their show. It would certainly be topical....something worth discussing, Peak Oil, that is.

Tracy P · Post by **Tracy P** » 29 Dec 2007, 15:46

Well, Mike was silent while he read the book (gave me some peace) which meant he loved it!
I am half way through and scared witless. We went to the supermarket today and there was a huge queue for petrol, then inside there was no milk....!!! We had a laugh about how worried we suddenly became, as we had been in the wood all morning and didn't know if something had happened!

Alex, a great book, you have us all rattled! I shall advertise it through facebook!

Tracy

alexscarrow · Post by **alexscarrow** » 29 Dec 2007, 23:13

Thanks. Close family/friends who've read it, have laughed at how autobiographical it is...ie: Andy going through the same stages of thinking about PO - that's been me over the last 5 years.

Out of interest, I was listening to Radio4 this morning and they had a panel of economists on making predictions for 'the issue of 2008' and one of them said 'Peak Oil'. Again...another 'Last Light' moment for me.

My big hope is that the paperback release in the summer does its bit to put the issue in front of the average joes, and hopefully gives them a jolt.

By the way....if you look me up on Facebook, I'm there somewhere - I'll be your buddy.

skeptik · Post by **skeptik** » 29 Dec 2007, 23:40

alexscarrow wrote:particularly in a place like the UK where we literally make/grow nothing.

Except for about 60% of the food we eat.