"The Boom: How Fracking Ignited the American Energy Revolution and Changed the World" (Simon & Schuster), by Russell Gold

The once-obscure oil and gas drilling process known as fracking has generated hundreds of billions of dollars and considerable dissent, as communities and experts argue over how to balance the vast amounts of money at stake with environmental and health risks.

In "The Boom," Russell Gold brings new clarity to a subject awash in hype from all sides. "The Boom" is a thoughtful, well-written and carefully researched book that provides the best overview yet of the pros and cons of fracking. Gold quietly leads both supporters and critics of drilling to consider other views, and that's a good thing.

A long-time energy reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Gold has an impressive range of knowledge, and his clear prose makes wonky topics such as well casings and methane leaks understandable. But even more important, he brings the fracking battles to life with personal stories that go beyond stereotypes.

For example…read more via New book on fracking illuminates pros, cons | kens5.com San Antonio.