In the Prologue, author Stephen O. Dean (Fusion Power Associates) says, "In this book I provide a fusion concept primer, a personal perspective on the history of fusion research as I have participated in it (others may have a different perspective), and look at the energy 'problem' and how and when fusion might contribute to its solution. I address the questions: what is fusion, why has it always seemed just out of reach, will it succeed, and can it rightly be called 'the ultimate energy source'?"

The book also provides (in Chapter 14) the personal perspectives of several other persons who have played key roles in fusion research and development over many decades.

The book is available from Springer (www.springer.com) in either hard copy (ISBN 978-1-4614-6036-7) or as an ebook (ISBN 978-1-4614-6037-4) or in hard copy from Amazon. A limited number of hard copies, signed by the author, are available from Fusion Power Associates with a $100 donation to FPA's educational activities.

The Table of Contents is as follows:

Prologue
Fusion Fundamentals
Fusion Concepts
The Struggling Years: 1960s
The Glory Years: 1970s
The Carter Plan vs The Reagan Agenda: 1980-1985
Successes and Disasters; 1985-1989
Hope for Resurgence: 1990-1995
Financial Tsunami: 1995-1999
The New Millennium: Science vs. Energy: 2000-2008
The Obama Administration: 2009-2012
Applications
Engineering Challenges
Energy
Perspectives 2012
  Charles C. Baker
  N. Anne Davies
  William R. Ellis
  Richard D. Hazeltine
  B. Grant Logan
  Robert L. McCrory
  Dale M. Meade
  John H. Nuckolls
  Richard F. Post
  Fred L. Ribe
  John Sheffield
  Ken Tomabechi
  Alvin W. Trivelpiece
The Ultimate Energy Source?
Epilogue