A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Energy Independence
By: Robert Danziger
Published: April 5, 2010
Format: Paperback, 240 pages
ISBN: 1450557295
Publisher: CreateSpace
"I'm one of the ghosts of alternative energy past. We ghosts were riding the Wild West putting in windmills and solar systems, cogeneration and biofuel plants, picking a lot of the low-hanging energy-saving fruits and nuts", writes alternative energy pioneer Robert Danziger in his hilarious memoir about his life in the world of alternative energy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Energy Independence. The author finds the humor in such widely diverse places as Cal-Tech, the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), and of course in his own business ventures in the alternative energy field.
Bob Danziger is a true renaissance man. Combining a musical career with rocketry, and his entrepreneurial venture SunLaw, is no easy feat. Through these often disparate careers, the author kept his sense of humor, and found the funny in...well...everything. Bringing the storyteller's skill, not to mention a heaping helping of poetic license to his book, Robert Danziger tells all. At least he tells most of it, often embellished, as he saw it. Through it all, is a laugh out loud mashup of alternative energy, business, global travel rockets, music, and anything else that he chose to describe in whole or in part. Bob Danziger enjoyed many experiences, and laughed his way through all of them.
Robert Danziger (photo left) recognizes that many people find any discussion of alternative energy to be, at best, devoid of any humor whatsoever. The book stands as a powerful antidote to those who take their own beliefs, industry, and desire to lower global energy consumption just a bit too seriously. The author found comedy and humor everywhere. Whether it was the activities of JPL, or the changing nature of energy regulations, the author finds laughs galore in the most unexpected places. To add to the delight, the book contains many cartoons that add visual comic relief to the written humor. After all, life should be about balance.
For me, the power of the book is how Robert Danziger shares some very important information about his topics through the lens of humor. Taking some topics, that many people consider deadly serious, the author skewers, cooks and serves up some very sacred cows. Whether it's the space program, the music industry, or life in the alternative energy sector, Bob Danziger never fails to find the comedic heart of the matter. Indeed, the funniest stories are in areas where they are least expected by the reader. Through combining information with the lighter side of life, Robert Danziger reminds us not to take ourselves or our ideas too seriously. Instead, treat them as a source of joy and laughter. Life is more pleasant when met with smiles and laughter. Even descriptions of solar panels and biofuels are more intriguing when some funny stories fuel their telling.
I highly recommend the laugh filled book A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Energy Independence by Robert Danziger, to anyone who has read one too many never crack a smile and dry books on alternative energy. Instead of a sanctimonious polemic or yawn inducing lecture, the author provides an endless stream of hilarious stories from the front lines of the energy field.
Read the enjoyable and insightful book A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Energy Independence by Robert Danziger, and you will never look at the alternative energy industry as dull and lifeless again. For that matter, the staid image of JPL and space exploration don't avoid a major lampooning either. Whether you read the book for information, or for laughs, it is a delight for anyone. Even the very straight faced alternative energy experts are certain to burst into uncontrollable laughter.
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