Hydrogen — the first element, clean burning and packed with energy — has been hailed as the fuel of the future for generations. Today it is cast as a linchpin of decarbonisation and backed by billions in subsidies. But is hydrogen really the net-zero breakthrough we’ve been waiting for, or a costly distraction? This book cuts through the hype, unpacking the science, economics, and politics of the hydrogen economy with clarity and precision. Drawing on decades of energy research, it shows where hydrogen might truly deliver — and where it won’t. A sharp, timely guide to the new hydrogen gold rush.