Lights Out by Ted Koppel

This book will scare the tar out of you! Its a must read, wake up before its too late. For years we've heard the warnings of the potential catastrophe awaiting us if the electric grid should fail. But those warnings have fallen on deaf ears, believed to be the rantings of post-apocalyptic doomsday talk and far right-wing preppers. In this book, Ted Koppel points out the very real possibilities, and every one of us needs to take heed. Mr. Koppel makes the very real case that our electric grid is very vulnerable to collapse due to cyberwarfare, EMP attack, or less likely, a solar flare. We have not taken the necessary steps to protect the grid; nor do we have have any emergency plans in placel to deal with a widespread collapse of the grid and the chaotic aftermath of such a widespread failure. Koppel's book is not a fear-mongering diatribe, instead it is a thoroughly studied and carefully written analysis of the real risks that face us all at hardly a moments notice.


Cyber warfare is a new type of warfare not faced in generations past, but its a very real threat faced constantly in our generation. Not just cyber attacks to the financial systems, which happen daily, but something a thousand times more dangerous. Relatively few nations exist with the capacity to launch a conventional or nuclear offense against us, but as Mr. Koppel states, for the first time in the history of warfare "small groups, even individuals, can undermine the critical infrastructure of a state." Its known as "Asymmetric Warfare" and we've seen it time and time again in America with ever-increasing frequency. 


This book should be read by literally everybody in the nation, including and especially our leaders. If only Mr. Koppel's book would attract enough attention that we would no longer ignore this very real vulnerability. But, our leaders are too concerned for other minor issues that speak to their need for power, control and money. God help us all! 

I received a copy of this book from blogging for books in exchange for my honest review.