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Horsemen of the Apocalypse: The Men Who Are Destroying Life on Earth―And What It Means for Our Children
The science is overwhelming; the facts are in. The planet is heating up at an alarming rate and the results are everywhere to be seen. Yet, as time runs out, climate progress is blocked by the men who are profiting from the burning of the planet: energy moguls like the Koch brothers and Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson. Powerful politicians like Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Inhofe, who receive massive contributions from the oil and coal industries. Most of these men are too intelligent to truly believe that climate change is not a growing crisis. And yet they have put their profits and careers ahead of the health and welfare of the world’s population—and even their own children and grandchildren. How do they explain themselves to their offspring, to the next generations that must deal with the environmental havoc that these men have wreaked? Horsemen of the Apocalypse takes a personal look at this global crisis, literally bringing it home.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 31, 2018
While there was some dismaying information in this book that everyone should be aware of, and in that sense, it was worthwhile, I felt like I was reading something on Slate or Salon or one of the other online sites where younger people write. There was lots of opinion thrown in, emphasizing how terrible something was, when it was obvious simply from the facts that it was terrible. The writing was amateurish and as such, detracted from the valid points made throughout. It was particularly dismaying to read about what was going on at my alma mater, but the book contained an error -- calling it "Washington University of St. Louis," when the name of the university is "Washington University IN St. Louis." Misnaming a prominent school like this should not happen in a published book, so I'm not sure how well it was edited. A star off for that one.
But, I do highly recommend the book for certain people -- those who already have some awareness of how bad the relationship is between high money polluters and the government. It is indeed dismaying, but I'm sure there are some people who can't see through the book's tone and accept the underlying reality and will therefore dismiss it and the points made therein. This could have been a great book, but there's too much (albeit justified) anger and vitriol and it seemed like a rushed report, rather than a real expose of what's going on. But again, it makes valid points, has some fascinating information, and is a very quick read.
But, I do highly recommend the book for certain people -- those who already have some awareness of how bad the relationship is between high money polluters and the government. It is indeed dismaying, but I'm sure there are some people who can't see through the book's tone and accept the underlying reality and will therefore dismiss it and the points made therein. This could have been a great book, but there's too much (albeit justified) anger and vitriol and it seemed like a rushed report, rather than a real expose of what's going on. But again, it makes valid points, has some fascinating information, and is a very quick read.
October 9, 2018
Illuminating and well written
The leaders and henchmen of the fossil fuel industry have been committing crimes against humanity for decades. They knew climate change was happening and chose to lie to the public about it. This great book names them and I hope everyone of them is held accountable.
The leaders and henchmen of the fossil fuel industry have been committing crimes against humanity for decades. They knew climate change was happening and chose to lie to the public about it. This great book names them and I hope everyone of them is held accountable.
September 24, 2019
A quick easy read that's a clear introduction to the influence that fossil fuel companies and their owners have had on the public discussion over climate and the public policy that has come out of that debate.
Even those familiar with the work of the Koch brothers supporting climate deniers or backing friendly politicians like Oklahoma Senator James Inhoffe will find new stories of rich guys behaving badly here. For example, it appears that Inhoffe's whole state of Oklahoma, from its delegation to Congress, to its governor, state legislators and even its state universities, are bought and paid for by money from natural gas and oil companies like Devon Energy. Just to protect the profits of dirty energy companies, the suffering of the state's residents is legion, from fracking-induced earthquakes to poisoned water to cuts in funding for schools to finance corporate tax breaks.
Fortunately, many brave citizens are fighting back, including some sons and daughters of oil fortunes, who are investing their inheritances into a cleaner and fairer economy. In the end, this book balances outrage with hope. And it puts the focus where it belongs -- not on nebulous theories of how it's too hard to build support for climate solutions because the public can't see or feel its effects, but instead, how the public has again and again supported climate solutions but how they've been blocked, again and again, by fossil fuel companies.
It's really not that complicated. The science is clear and the solutions are available. The obstacles to climate action are not scientific or even economic. The obstacles are political. So, using democracy, we just need to get the dirty-energy barons out of the way.
Even those familiar with the work of the Koch brothers supporting climate deniers or backing friendly politicians like Oklahoma Senator James Inhoffe will find new stories of rich guys behaving badly here. For example, it appears that Inhoffe's whole state of Oklahoma, from its delegation to Congress, to its governor, state legislators and even its state universities, are bought and paid for by money from natural gas and oil companies like Devon Energy. Just to protect the profits of dirty energy companies, the suffering of the state's residents is legion, from fracking-induced earthquakes to poisoned water to cuts in funding for schools to finance corporate tax breaks.
Fortunately, many brave citizens are fighting back, including some sons and daughters of oil fortunes, who are investing their inheritances into a cleaner and fairer economy. In the end, this book balances outrage with hope. And it puts the focus where it belongs -- not on nebulous theories of how it's too hard to build support for climate solutions because the public can't see or feel its effects, but instead, how the public has again and again supported climate solutions but how they've been blocked, again and again, by fossil fuel companies.
It's really not that complicated. The science is clear and the solutions are available. The obstacles to climate action are not scientific or even economic. The obstacles are political. So, using democracy, we just need to get the dirty-energy barons out of the way.
March 14, 2021
Those of us who are familiar with at least the basics of climate change won't be surprised by many of the dangers and stark realities related to the human-made destruction of Earth that are outlined in this book. What was surprising (even though it probably shouldn't have been) was the way that Horsemen of the Apocalypse demonstrated the duplicity of the folks at the top of the energy industry and the great lengths to which they've gone to deny the science, alter the public record, and seed the conversation with doubt and false realities. Although it probably wasn't his primary objective in writing this book, Russell demonstrates how the negative consequences of capitalism and corporate greed have resulted in the government failing future generations.
Horsemen of the Apocalypse features an introduction by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and this was probably the worst part of the book. It was dry, unnecessarily long, and not all that interesting. That absolutely slowed me down—I hesitated to pick up this book for the first few chapters following the introduction for fear that the rest of the book was going to be just as bad as Kennedy's introduction. However, once I made it through the first couple chapters of Russell's writing and the actual content of the book, I realized that was not the case. Aside from Kennedy's introduction, the writing in this book is interesting, well-written, and compelling.
Horsemen of the Apocalypse features an introduction by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and this was probably the worst part of the book. It was dry, unnecessarily long, and not all that interesting. That absolutely slowed me down—I hesitated to pick up this book for the first few chapters following the introduction for fear that the rest of the book was going to be just as bad as Kennedy's introduction. However, once I made it through the first couple chapters of Russell's writing and the actual content of the book, I realized that was not the case. Aside from Kennedy's introduction, the writing in this book is interesting, well-written, and compelling.
July 21, 2017
So, yet another case for billionaires (=masters) doing their own games, slaves eagerly buying promises of their masters.
More on that:
Biggest US coal company funded dozens of groups questioning climate change
"Advanced energy for life" (old marketing technique two times) advertising, from candles to computers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuEAK...
Peabody Coal's 40-Year Holocaust for Navajos
Peabody Energy shares rocket after Trump wins presidency
November 24, 2017
I won this book from Good Reads.
A MUST read for anyone who can change and effect those in power. Its obvious to me, from watching huge sheets of ice break off from the South Pole and the dying of the Glaciers in our so named national park, that the use of fossil fuels is killing our plant. Earth is the only home we have; we must take care of it!
A MUST read for anyone who can change and effect those in power. Its obvious to me, from watching huge sheets of ice break off from the South Pole and the dying of the Glaciers in our so named national park, that the use of fossil fuels is killing our plant. Earth is the only home we have; we must take care of it!
February 23, 2019
If you want the names of the rich and powerful who are destroying all they can, read this.
Read
June 7, 2020It's a very important book. A tremendous bright spot is that alternative energy is a viable alternative and is replacing the jobs lost in fossil fuels and creating new jobs. Seems the only thing holding back this growth engine are greedy corporate executives in the fossil fuel industries and their supporters in government, who sadly they've bribed.
October 15, 2021
Important Read!
For far too long rich and powerful men have had the ability to decide the fate of everyone and everything else on our planet. This book discloses who these corrupt and greedy players are and how they do their dirty work. The rest of us need to know who would sacrifice all of us for extra billions in their coffers.
For far too long rich and powerful men have had the ability to decide the fate of everyone and everything else on our planet. This book discloses who these corrupt and greedy players are and how they do their dirty work. The rest of us need to know who would sacrifice all of us for extra billions in their coffers.
August 19, 2024
This book is a must read for anyone concerned about climate change. The author explains how and why there is so much disinformation about the effect of burning fossil fuels on the environment. Spoiler alert; it is all about money.
February 4, 2025
Lots of info - lots of facts, lots of opinion all mixed into something of a rant. Would not trust anything Kennedy hs to say - hey, the orange god's new best friend - but there is some good stuff here about the bad guys and their toxic histories. 3 stars
January 11, 2024
Worth it just for RFK Jr’s introduction
April 14, 2025
Basically an encyclopedia of corruption. Interesting if you're into that.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews