The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Hybrid & Alternative Fuel Vehicles

By Jack R. Nerad, Penguin Group, 2007.

Written by the former editor of Motor Trend magazine and the current executive editorial director of Kelley Blue Book and co-host of the radio program “America on the Road,” this is one alt fuel and hybrid-info packed 193 pages. Not only is this book well organized with easily accessible information, it’s one good read from the get-go. Exceptionally well written, snappy and interesting, it’s like a good friend has taken you by the hand and explained all the common sense ins-and-outs of the increasingly confusing world of hybrid and alt fuel vehicles.

Nerad writes in the Introduction, “The debate that surrounds hybrid and other alternative propulsion systems touches on some of the most important issues of our time. Included among them are such volatile topics as global warming, the depletion of fossil fuels, and the situations of the Middle East … After revealing to you the facts and informed opinions of many who are experts in fields that include climatology, biology, and anthropology as well as automotive engineering, the choice is yours. The choices aren’t easy, and they are more shades of gray than black and white. But I guarantee you this book will be illuminating, and I am confident it will prompt you to think a little more deeply and more rationally about all these important issues.” And that’s exactly what this world needs in a time of budget busting fuel prices.

This book is divided into 12 chapters, beginning with a brief overview of “how we got to be in this position” to “finding the right vehicle for you” and is organized by fuel type:

• Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicles
• Flex Fuel/E85 Vehicles
• Natural Gas Vehicles
• Clean Diesel & Biodiesel Vehicles
• New Tech Gasoline Vehicles
• Electric Cars

Hey, there’s nothing we like better than an accurate good read on hybrids and alt fuels. And $14.95 is all it takes to tuck this 6 by 9-inch guide into your backpack, briefcase—or even beach bag (yes, it’s that good)—and fight back against the rising cost of gas and global warming. And no, it’s not really for idiots at all.