Good general scientific overview of important topics, in language that's accessible to the layperson. Recommended for any concerned citizen, not just the President!
Funky little conceit destroyed by the idea that ignorance isn't perceived as a positive by much of the current electorate. This could have been framed more interestingly and accurately as a guide for rational skepticism for anyone engaging in current important issues that rely upon science and scientists for better understanding.
I agree wholeheartedly with the quote on the back cover - "I feel a more appropriate title would be 'Physics for Useful Citizens.' What he teaches are basics needed to be an informed, critical-thinking citizen of our country."
Muller gives an overview of many physics topics touched on in the news today - energy (why fossil fuels continue to dominate, why "hydrogen" isn't an energy source), nuclear power & energy (different kinds of nuclear bombs and their difficulties/powers, nuclear power), global warming (which I was quite surprised by).
Muller does a good job of giving an accurate overview of theories without drowning the reader in unnecessary math. It's really just explaining scale & context. He strikes a great balance of letting people know the general "jist" of something; "if I get bombarded with 3 rem of radiation, should I be worried?", etc.
