The United States government funds universities, including university environmental research projects. To receive this funding, scientists must prove that they have a problem that can only be solved with government grants. Particularly in the late 1990s, the controversial issue of global warming provided that problem. Among the points of contention surrounding global warming is the theory that it is man-made through industrial emissions, most notably carbon dioxide. But high levels of carbon dioxide predate humans by millions of years, according to the author’s research. They had no bearing on the gradual, infinitesimal temperature increase that has occurred since 1850. Through exhaustive internet research on sites for NASA, the NCDC, the NOAA, and the CRU, four organizations that monitor global temperatures, Shipley has found that all information that supports man-made global warming is incorrect. More disturbingly, could leaked email correspondence between officials at all four agencies prove that the theory is a hoax?

This book has strong conservative political overtones, and it might reasonably be used as a text for college courses in both political and earth sciences courses. It is crucial to note that the book’s contention is that global warming does exist but only as a natural phenomenon that fluctuates. It is neither permanent nor man-made. The subject matter relies heavily on excerpted material, and it can be difficult to tell at which point those excerpts give way to the author’s original thoughts. The graphs containing the author’s data, though, are readily decipherable. Within the body of the work, Shipley directs potential users how best to locate desired information on the web pages he cites in his detailed explanations. Comprehensive endnote and bibliographical sections follow the main text for the enrichment of those who wish to explore this topic further.

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