The Forbidden Fuel
Power Alcohol in the 20th Century  (New Haven, CT: WB Griffin, 1982) 

 

If you are interested in a re-issued copy of the of
The Forbidden Fuel, write to boydgriffin@gmail.com

Meanwhile, Bill Kovarik is working on a separate book entitled "Ethyl: Biofuels, Octane Boosters and the War over the Fuel of the Future" -- he can be reached at bill.kovarik@gmail.com

 

(Photo - Left) -- Washington DC, 1982  -- The authors of The Forbidden Fuel join then-Senator David Durenberger (R-MN), Senator Carl Curtis (R- IA) at the book launching party in a US Senate "Watergate" hearing room  (325 Russell) in Washington DC. Left to right:  authors William (Bill) Kovarik and Scott Sklar,  Senators Durenberger and Curtis, and author Hal Bernton.   

Review of  THE FORBIDDEN FUEL in CHOICE Magazine (“Current Reviews for Academic Libraries”), July-August, 1983 (Volume 20, #11-12)

"BERNTON, Hal. The Forbidden Fuel: Power Alcohol in the Twentieth Century”, by Hal Bernton, William Kovarik and Scott Sklar. Boyd Griffin, 1982.  274p ill. Bibl. Index 81-85112. 19.95 ISBN  0-941726-00-2

 Bernton and his coauthors have produced as much an intriguing history of alcohol fuel in America as they have a study of alcohol as an energy source in the contemporary world. Indeed, the book maybe at its best in those sections concerned with that part of 2Oth-century Americana dating from Henry Ford, through the Depression years (when American farmers hoping to grow corn for fuel were frustrated in their objectives), into the more recent period of farmers' movements and "modern moon shiners." Particularly good is Chapter 5, which focuses on interest-group politics in Washington during the 1970s, and the American Petroleum Institute’s efforts to block development of the gasohol option on a national basis. Yet even some of the “softer” sections of the book are interesting (e.g., Chapter 4, which probably overstates the advantages of corn-produced ethanol over other, alternative energy options), and the broadly defined costs of pursuing the gasohol option are as frequently described as the advantages of corn-based fuel over more centralized energy technologies. With its good bibliography, helpful glossary, and va1uable appendixes on the economics and technology of alcohol power, the book is recommended to all institutions seeking to cover the wide area of energy options and energy politics.

Review from Library Journal, Vol. 107 (June 15, 1982) p. 1235, ISSN: 0363-0277

The recent glut in oil supplies may have temporarily diverted public focus from the crisis, which, according to experts, still looms on the horizon. Fortunately, efforts continue to develop alternative sources. Of these, gasohol is commercially the most promising. New technology is making it even more attractive than synfue1s. However. it is not without its adverse side effects. A major concern seems to be the diversion of prime agricultural land to the production of energy crops rather than staple food crops and the accompanying soil erosion. The Forbidden Fuel looks critically at the promise and prospects of gasohol in the light of such prob1ems. A well-researched study, it is recommended for most academic and large public libraries.—Sarojini Balachandran, University of Illinois Library, Urbana-Champaign.

 

 

First Edition Kudos: 

Senator Charles H. Percy   "We need to find a liquid fuel that we can use in the event of another disruption of our oil imports. This book chronicles how a handful of Americans are working hard to do this, despite the odds. Some day all of us will owe them our thanks for setting us on the road towards reduced dependence on imported oil."   

Jack Anderson:  "The Forbidden Fuel is truly engrossing reading. It traces the history of alcohol as an alternative fuel, proving that it is a viable medium for easing our energy ills. The Forbidden Fuel should make the reader angry for being unnecessarily under OPEC's thumb for so long."   

Richard J. Barnet:  "The Story of the alcohol battle... told in fascinating detail... it is an account of jousting experts, oil company propaganda campaigns, extravagant claims of alcohol enthusiasts and of approaching vindication for alcohol."