A professional independent review of this book has been published in Clarion Fore Word Reviews.  It can be seen at: http://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/thoughts-of-a-scientist-citizen-and-grandpa-on-climate-change/

Another has appeared in Juice: Alternate Fuels Word and can be seen at:  http://www.alternatefuelsworld.com/climate-change-book-reviews.htm

President Marshall's Message:  We are down to our last planet!

A lead story in today's "Spectrum" (5/31/09, St. George, Utah) concerns anthropogenic (man-caused) global warming (AGW), and sadly chronicles more about political posturing and partisan angst than it does about the real problem; we DO have a problem.  This issue is so encumbered by economic and political baggage that its stark reality is largely obscured from public view.

Several days ago I read a small book entitled, "Thoughts of a Scientist, Citizen and Grandpa on Climate Change."  The author, Professor Eric Grimsrud, is a former student of mine, who recently retired from a distinguished career as a world-class atmospheric scientist and respected teacher; he has contributed extensively to the scientific literature of his field.  I recommend this book to all. Professor Grimsrud writes in elegantly simple prose and with heart-felt passion about a subject that he understands. 

Two of his most important conclusions are: (1) There is very little fundamental disagreement among active atmospheric scientists about AWG; the problem is devastatingly serious; (2) Without strong, enlightened world-wide programs in the next decade, our world will likely spin into an unstoppable cycle of continuous and irreversible warming!

Dr. John Marshall is a retired Professor of Chemistry, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, and is presently the President of The Drifters Motorcycles Club of St. George, UT.  

 The following review appeared in the online version of the Journal of Nature Products, a publication of the American Chemical Society in Feb 2011.

Thoughts of a Scientist, Citizen and Grandpa on Climate Change.  Eric P Grimsrud (Montana State University, retired).  iUniverse, Inc., New York.  2009.  v + 96 pp.  $12.95  ISBN 978-1-4401-3972-7

As the title implies, this book attempts to explore and explain the divisive issue of climate change from the perspectives of an analytical atmospheric scientist, a citizen of the United States and the world, and a grandfather concerned about the world his grandchildren will inherit.  The book is brief and easy to read; it is written primarily for the non-scientific community, in an effort by the author to reach a broader audience, but there is much food for thought here for scientists as well.

The nine chapters cover man's impact on the atmosphere, a discussion of ice ages and global warming, a search for flaws in the theory of anthropogenic global warming, a probe of whether and how much scientists are divided on the issue of global warming, and a review of the chlorofluorocarbon/stratospheric ozone controversy before heading to more philosophical ground—Carl Sagan's thoughts on the survival of intelligent life forms, the need for "Churchillian" leadership in the coming decade(s), dealing with the forces of denial, and, finally, a perspective on what lies ahead.  There is also a useful list of terms and acronyms, and their definitions, along with a bibliography of suggested additional reading.

The direct link to natural products is that global warming may lead to an unknown number of species of fauna and flora becoming threatened or endangered.  In a broader sense, it behooves all of us to be better informed about this issue.  In that sense, this book will be useful; it would also serve well as a text in science courses for non-science majors, as a means to acquaint them with the various aspects and issues of global warming.

reviewed by Dr. John H Cardellina II, ReevesGroup,Walkersville, Maryland