(University of California - Berkeley) UC Berkeley physicist Richard A. Muller has transformed his popular course, "Physics for Future Presidents," into a popular book of the same name, providing a tutorial in the physics of nuclear weapons, nuclear power, terrorism and global warming essential for anyone aspiring to the Oval Office.

His intent: to teach enough physics for a president to weigh the often partisan assessments of advisors, and to explain his or her reasoning to the public.