The US Department of Energy's Office of the Under Secretary for Science asked the National Research Council to assess the prospects for inertial fusion energy, and to provide advice on preparing a research and development roadmap leading to a demonstration plant. Part of the request was for an interim report to help the Department formulate its budget request for future budget cycles. This is that interim report, providing the sponsor with a status report on the committee's progress and a summary of its preliminary conclusions and recommendations based on its first four meetings. It is not indexed. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)