Nanotechnology appears in the plot lines of dozens of films, books, and TV commercials. Some scientists and policy makers are hailing its potential as a driver of the next industrial revolution, and others are warning of its negative implications for the environment, health, and society. Berube (communication studies, U. of South Carolina) works to get to the bottom of it all with a heft assessment of the state of the science and politics of nanoscience and current claims for and against its uses. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)