Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Professor Huizenga, Co-Chairman of the U.S. Department of Energy Cold Fusion Panel that investigated the claims of Pons and Fleischmann--the scientists behind the ill-fated "cold fusion" experiments at the University of Utah in 1989-- here documents the entire fascinating saga and provides a careful and thorough study of the controversy that followed. The factual, hardhitting account concludes with a discussion of the lessons to be learned from the episode and the implications for the proper conduct of science. In this new paperback edition, the author has taken the opportunity to bring the story of cold fusion up-to-date. This definitive account, will interest all scientists and historians of science, as well as general readers interested in the issues of experimental science and ethical conduct.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Abbreviations
• I Press Conference
• II Prior Events
• III Confirmations, Retractions and Confusion
• IV A Panel is Appointed
• V Hearing before a Government Committee
• VI Cold Fusion Frenzy Peaks
• VII Publication of the Panel's Report
• VIII Where are the Fusion Products?
• IX Promotion of Claims for Cold Fusion
• X Utah Born and Bred
• XI Cold Fusion and Polywater
• XII Pathological Science
• XIII Lessons
• XIV Epilogue
• Appendix 1 University of Utah Press Release
• Appendix 2 Energy Research Advisory Board Cold Fusion Panel
• Appendix 3 Chronology of the Cold Fusion Saga
• Index

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Huizenga's title does little to hide his point of view in this well documented, albeit often repetitive work. As a physics professor at a distinguished university and cochair of the DOE advisory panel on cold fusion, Huizenga was in a unique position to be aware of the day-to-day developments in the cold fusion story, and to have a global view of the political power-plays and complex interactions among the several different scientific constituencies that have had key roles in the development of this fascinating story. From its unusual introduction to the popular press rather than to a refereed periodical, to the many meetings of chemists and physicists devoted to the presentation of and evaluation of data, the subject of cold fusion has held the attention of a large community of scientists for more than three years. The role of wishful thinking, sloppy experimentation, and a willingness to disregard previous well-established theories in order to "explain" cold fusion has colored the whole assessment process. Scientists emerge as less than dispassionate and careful searchers after the truth. This book belongs in all college and university libraries. K. L. Schick; Union College (NY)