Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Anchor (1997), Edition: Anniversary, 256 pages
Description
Reissued on the tenth anniversary of its publication, this classic work on our environmental crisis features a new introduction by the author, reviewing both the progress and ground lost in the fight to save the earth. This impassioned plea for radical and life-renewing change is today still considered a groundbreaking work in environmental studies. McKibben's argument that the survival of the globe is dependent on a fundamental, philosophical shift in the way we relate to nature is more relevant than ever. McKibben writes of our earth's environmental cataclysm, addressing such core issues as the greenhouse effect, acid rain, and the depletion of the ozone layer. His new introduction addresses some of the latest environmental issues that have risen during the 1990s. The book also includes an invaluable new appendix of facts and figures that surveys the progress of the environmental movement. More than simply a handbook for survival or a doomsday catalog of scientific prediction, this classic, soulful lament on Nature is required reading for nature enthusiasts, activists, and concerned citizens alike.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member eduscapes
Bill McKibben is a well-known author and environmentalist.
The End of Nature by Bill McKibben was written in 1989 and a new forward was added on the tenth anniversary in 1999. This book provided one of the first well-researched "wake-up calls" related to global warming. I originally read the book
Other than references to current events that now seem dated, the book has stood up remarkably well over twenty years. I had to laugh at references to Al Gore being one of very few people speaking out on the topic. It took another decade before people started listening to Gore's message. Even the author's warnings about the threats of genetic engineering have come true through the agricultural exploits of companies like Monsanto.
I was particularly drawn to McKibben's section on religion and nature that explored the reasons that mainstream and fundamentalist religious groups aren't supportive of the environmental movement. His thoughts on man's impact on the natural world and the "end of nature" are on target even in my remote area of southern Utah.
As a fan of Thoreau, Muir, and the many other nature writers throughout history, I has happy to see how he wove these writings through the book along with the work of contemporary authors and scientists. I understand why The End of Nature continues to be quoted after twenty years and has become a classic of the environmental movement.
I look forward to reading his newest book, Eaarth.
The End of Nature by Bill McKibben was written in 1989 and a new forward was added on the tenth anniversary in 1999. This book provided one of the first well-researched "wake-up calls" related to global warming. I originally read the book
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nearly twenty years ago and decided to re-read it before jumping into his new book, Eaarth.Other than references to current events that now seem dated, the book has stood up remarkably well over twenty years. I had to laugh at references to Al Gore being one of very few people speaking out on the topic. It took another decade before people started listening to Gore's message. Even the author's warnings about the threats of genetic engineering have come true through the agricultural exploits of companies like Monsanto.
I was particularly drawn to McKibben's section on religion and nature that explored the reasons that mainstream and fundamentalist religious groups aren't supportive of the environmental movement. His thoughts on man's impact on the natural world and the "end of nature" are on target even in my remote area of southern Utah.
As a fan of Thoreau, Muir, and the many other nature writers throughout history, I has happy to see how he wove these writings through the book along with the work of contemporary authors and scientists. I understand why The End of Nature continues to be quoted after twenty years and has become a classic of the environmental movement.
I look forward to reading his newest book, Eaarth.
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LibraryThing member jorgearanda
Even though the climate science that McKibben reports on is over twenty years old, it is still depressingly, and ever more certainly, correct. However, the science has grown more and more accurate as time goes on, so The End of Nature should not be read merely for its scientific reporting.
There's a
There's a
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much better reason to read it, though. McKibben's main argument, that we've become so numerous and powerful so as to (clumsily) wrest control over nature, is fascinating. He explores its philosophical, theological, and social dimensions, and his analysis is insightful and wise. Show Less
LibraryThing member Devil_llama
A classic of environmental writing, it made a big splash when first released, partially due to the good writing and the vivid imagery. Like most environmental classics, it remains beloved of its loyal readers, but tends to grow dusty on the shelves waiting for a chance to make a difference.
LibraryThing member sushicat
Bill McKibben wrote this book 25 years ago. He gives us a thorough overview of the causes and effects of global warming and considers the way humanity, politics and individuals deal with these new realities. In the first part of the book he lays out the effects of global warming and the most
The second section was my favorite part of the book. As he writes about the End of Nature, he does not only contemplate the loss of a natural environment to sustain us but beyond that he considers the loss of nature as a defining element to what it means to be human. An environment untouched by humans, which allows us a glimpse at the divine, something beyond our influence. With the recognition of global warming as an effect driven by human civilization, we have finally managed to affect and change even the remotest places on earth and thus robbed ourselves of any truly wild place fully beyond the influence of humans, making us poorer for the barely acknowledged loss. He compares this loss to the disappearance of the Frontier as a defining element of the American identity.
In the last part of the book he goes on to ponder different ways we can react as individuals and society as a whole. Though he firmly believes that the path we're on is leading us down the wrong path, he has little hope that as individuals or communities we will be able to make the radical changes of lifestyle needed to avoid the worst of the effects.
Though it's not a very hopeful book, it does contain a lot of food for thought.
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probable outcome in terms of temperature rise, general weather phenomena and sea level rise. Surprisingly this section does not feel dated and it seems the reaction of the global community is much the same today as it was then.The second section was my favorite part of the book. As he writes about the End of Nature, he does not only contemplate the loss of a natural environment to sustain us but beyond that he considers the loss of nature as a defining element to what it means to be human. An environment untouched by humans, which allows us a glimpse at the divine, something beyond our influence. With the recognition of global warming as an effect driven by human civilization, we have finally managed to affect and change even the remotest places on earth and thus robbed ourselves of any truly wild place fully beyond the influence of humans, making us poorer for the barely acknowledged loss. He compares this loss to the disappearance of the Frontier as a defining element of the American identity.
In the last part of the book he goes on to ponder different ways we can react as individuals and society as a whole. Though he firmly believes that the path we're on is leading us down the wrong path, he has little hope that as individuals or communities we will be able to make the radical changes of lifestyle needed to avoid the worst of the effects.
Though it's not a very hopeful book, it does contain a lot of food for thought.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Sean191
I was supposed to see McKibben speak, so figured I should delve into his books, having only read his essays in the past. That was maybe a mistake. First, work responsibilities popped up meaning I won't get to go to the presentation. Second, End of Nature is as bleak as the title sounds. I don't
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think there's anything in it about the environmental crisis that I didn't know prior to picking up this book, but there's two key differences. First, a slew of the problems I already knew about were presented in one book, whereas I learned about them piecemeal through different deep science/environmental works before. Second, McKibben wrote about these problems 32 years ago! That's 32 years that we've done little to address the problems and plenty to make them worse. The book overall though, doesn't offer solutions and to be fair, being honest, I agree that there's not any practical solutions. People just don't see the danger and don't care to see. But a lot of the book was personal musings, peppered with science but not as deep a science as I've been used to in other environmental books. It's a dark, dark book and unfortunately, it's honest. Show Less
LibraryThing member jgoodwll
At once out of date and up to date. Originally published 1990, a record of what people need to do then and even more need to do now, but 30 years have been wasted and it is now impossible to avoid many things. The concept of "the end of nature" is a bit like the idea that was are in the
Two encouraging things: chlorofluorocarbons are being dealt with, and the imminence of genetic modification seems not much closer now than it was then.
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anthropogenic age; it is like a change of quantity into a change of quality, but the book is valuable even if one has a quibble about this. Includes ideas of deep ecology which I found inconclusive.Two encouraging things: chlorofluorocarbons are being dealt with, and the imminence of genetic modification seems not much closer now than it was then.
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Subjects
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Non-Fiction — 2014)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1990)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1989
ISBN
0385416040 / 9780385416047
Local notes
FB