The most famous book by Canadian scientist Vaclav Smil is dedicated to debunking the myths that have developed in the modern world around the use of various types of energy. There is an opinion that traditional energy sources (oil, natural gas, nuclear fuel) are irreplaceable. Another view, no less popular today, is the requirement for a speedy transition to safe options for natural energy (wind, sunlight, biomass decomposition products, etc.). Adherents of both some and other theories, going to the extreme in their assessments, are mistaken, says Smil. Bill Gates, admiring the wide coverage of the problems described in the book and the scale of the work done by V. Smil, recommended this book “to everyone who spends time dealing with energy issues - not to encourage, but to help everyone interested gain a powerful assessment base."