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The best single primer on energy also happens to be written by an Austrian economist--a Rothbardian even!
Author Robert Bradley, together with Richard Fulmer, have put together an outstanding book that covers this huge subject, beginning with answers to the most fundamental questions (What is energy? Where does energy come from?) through current policy applications (Are we running out of oil? Is the globe warming?). It is ideal for students and classroom use. But it is also the best book for anyone who wants to think and talk intelligently about this huge topic.
It is set up in the form of a textbook, with excellent graphics and clear text, but also contains enough documentation to provide resources for further study. The organization is outstanding and the discussion thorough. For example, under the topic of electricity, we find short descriptions of coal-fired plants, nuclear fission, natural gas, hydroelectric plants, wind power, geothermal energy, microturbines solar power, biomass, fuel cells, and more. A great merit of this book is that it discusses not just the technology but also the economics of various alternative energy sources--a point which is nearly always neglected in the usual literature.

"The authors deserve high praise for having created a comprehensive, easily accessible introduction to the vast, multi-disciplinary study of the relationship between humans and energy. It is hard to imagine a better staring place from which to begin exploring the topic." - Gene Callahan

"It behooves every citizen to bone up on this subject, which is sure to grow in importance in the coming years. You need Robert Bradley's book to get clear on the technological, economic, and political issues involved in energy markets." - Lew Rockwell

Robert L. Bradley Jr.

Robert L. Bradley Jr. is the CEO and founder of the Institute for Energy Research. As one of the nation’s leading experts on the history and regulation of energy markets, he has testified before the U.S. Congress and the California Energy Commission, as well as lectured at numerous colleges, universities, and think tanks around the country. Bradley’s views are frequently cited in the media, and his reviews and editorials have been published in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other national publications.

Bradley is a visiting fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs in London, an honorary research fellow at the Center for Energy Economics at the University of Texas at Austin, and an adjunct scholar at both the Cato Institute and the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He is a member of the academic review committee at the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University.

As the author of seven books, most recently Edison to Enron: Energy Markets and Political Strategies (John Wiley & Sons, Scrivener Publishing)

Bradley has applied the classical liberal worldview to recent corporate controversies and energy policy debates. His energy primer (coauthored with Richard Fulmer) is Energy: The Master Resource.

Bradley received a B.A. in economics (with honors) from Rollins College, where he also won the S. Truman Olin Award in economics. He received an M.A. in economics from the University of Houston: and a Ph.D. in political economy (with distinction) from International College. He has been a Schultz Fellow for Economic Research and Liberty Fund Fellow for Economic Research, and in 2002 he received the Julian L. Simon Memorial Award for his work on energy and sustainable development.

He is currently a member of the International Association for Energy Economics, the American Economic Association, Southern Economic Association, and the American Historical Association.

Richard W. Fulmer

Richard W. Fulmer is senior fellow at the Institute for Energy Research (IER).