A very thought-provoking exploration of the various ways in which roads fragment habitats and endanger animals, not just animals but also ourselves. AA very thought-provoking exploration of the various ways in which roads fragment habitats and endanger animals, not just animals but also ourselves. Although Goldfarb presents many solutions, I am left with some despair about the intractable enormity of this problem.
I am in awe at Goldfarb's writing skill. His style is accessible, concise and filled with just the right words and analogies....more
Some of my favorite books about nature have been written by journalists. At its best, the narrative maintains a lively balance between the science, thSome of my favorite books about nature have been written by journalists. At its best, the narrative maintains a lively balance between the science, the scientists and the journalists journey of discovery. Elizabeth Kolbert is a master. Unfortunately, this book leans too heavily on the efforts of scientists and the author's journey without a coherent narrative about the science. There are plenty of facts about sound underwater, but it's just a hodgepodge. After reading two chapters and skimming two more, I didn't bother to read the oft told stories of dolphin echo location or whale songs....more
While I share the authors' deep concern about climate change and appreciate the encouragement, I was dismayed by the conflating of this issue with manWhile I share the authors' deep concern about climate change and appreciate the encouragement, I was dismayed by the conflating of this issue with many, many other issues: poverty, community spirit, colonialism, racism,... While these are important issues, focusing on them implies that fighting climate change is yet another liberal, utopian quest. Many of the breathless arguments sound as if they were dreamed up in some sophomore dorm room. ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I was spending time with Mapes, whose love of trees and fascination with the research at Harvard FI thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I was spending time with Mapes, whose love of trees and fascination with the research at Harvard Forest shines through the narrative. I was very envious of her opportunity to spend a year looking over the shoulders of the researchers and having them show what how they see the forest on long walks.
I learned quite a few things. For instance, even though I had read several books on the ecological history of New England, I was surprised to learn that a large (twenty acres) old growth forest had survived the 19th century clear cutting only to be leveled by the hurricane of 1938.
However, the book is not without its flaws. First, very little of the book is about the titular witness tree. Although the taking of a core of the witness tree is described in some detail, the analysis of what the core showed it had witnessed is not mentioned. Also, there was only minimal preparation for the last section climate change. This is an extremely important issue, but the book does not lead up to it in any way. ...more
The shear volume of information in this book is daunting, and is the reason that I have not finished reading it. But this ocean of information also paThe shear volume of information in this book is daunting, and is the reason that I have not finished reading it. But this ocean of information also paints a vivid picture of how different the world was in other ages. Just the idea that there was no such a thing as a grassland until tens of millions of years ago gave me a new perspective.
I also found very interesting the various clever ways in which scientists tease information from the incomplete fossil evidence. Although insects are too delicate to be preserved, much about them can be deduced from fossilized leaves. The shapes of leaves depend on the amount of rainfall, providing clues of climate. If only a few leaves are preserved, the wax residues from the leaves in the soil can reveal the types of trees....more
I was already quite concerned about this issue, both for the animals and for those of us who would actually like to see some stars. This book containsI was already quite concerned about this issue, both for the animals and for those of us who would actually like to see some stars. This book contains a large number of examples of how plants and animals respond to light during the day, but it is quite weak on analysis. Having read it, I am still concerned about the issue, but I am uncertain how concerned I should be, and how this might compare to all of the other environmental issues....more
This is a good book about the oceans with an emphasis on how the water, heat, salt and nutrients move laterally and vertically. I might have given it This is a good book about the oceans with an emphasis on how the water, heat, salt and nutrients move laterally and vertically. I might have given it another star if I hadn't recently read the spectacular "The Brilliant Abyss." But, in comparison, this book is somewhat uneven. In parts, I was swept up with the authors enthusiasm and expertise. The sections on ocean layers and the role of plankton and whales in nutrient recycling were fascinating. At other times, the paragraphs seemed awfully long and I wondered why some stories were included. For instance, the section Voyagers had a very interesting section on how penguins know where to find food, 250 miles from their nests, but then followed it with a long, discursive set of stories about human voyaging.
If you are looking for one book on oceans, I think you can do better. But it you have read several books about oceans, as I have, this one is well worth reading....more
Other people clearly have a different sense of humor than mine. I just found this book coarse. It's humor seems to be based on renaming birds with sweOther people clearly have a different sense of humor than mine. I just found this book coarse. It's humor seems to be based on renaming birds with swear words: Golden-crowned dumb-shit instead of Golden-crowned Kinglet or Gray Cat Turd instead of Gray Catbird. That's funny?...more
Ugh. I was looking forward so much to reading this book. After over ten years of chasing rare birds and listing, I have been looking different ways toUgh. I was looking forward so much to reading this book. After over ten years of chasing rare birds and listing, I have been looking different ways to enjoy birds.
Most of this book relates the process and results of a handful of scientific studies of each of 20 or so common bird species. While I feel indebted to these arduous labors, even just reading the results wasn't exactly fun.
The end of each chapter lists four or five suggestions for how the nonscientist can pursue slow birding. But most of these seem like tedious homework assignments for undergraduate students. They certainly aren't the kind of projects that I would suggest to a birding buddy to whet his interest in slow birding. ...more
As I plowed through this compendium of descriptions of all the creatures of the beach, I finally realized that as much as I enjoy nature, I find this As I plowed through this compendium of descriptions of all the creatures of the beach, I finally realized that as much as I enjoy nature, I find this type of listing of animals and their characteristics to be tedious. Maybe I'll return to it during a future beach vacation....more
As an ardent environmentalist, I found this book to be a mixed bag. I knew that it would deal with the threat of climate change, but that issue is so As an ardent environmentalist, I found this book to be a mixed bag. I knew that it would deal with the threat of climate change, but that issue is so well known now that I skimmed much of it, even though the book lays out the issues and risks clearly. Still it deserves credit as an early call to action.
His other 'ends of nature' surprised me. The then expanding hole in the ozone and acid rain are certainly concerns, but hardly the apocalypse. Genetic engineering presents many risks, but McKibben's fear that rabbits would be genetically modified seems hysterical.
The biggest surprise was the deeply religious nature of the book. There is a lengthy section musing on how to interpret the bible with respect to our responsibility for the earth and many references to God and to his faith. He often quotes the prophet Thoreau and the lesser divines, Muir and Abbey. Even his enthusiasm for wilderness as the epitome of real nature felt religious....more
This provides a very different view of the Galapagos than we got from our small tour boat. Bassett focuses a stern eye on the damage done to the islanThis provides a very different view of the Galapagos than we got from our small tour boat. Bassett focuses a stern eye on the damage done to the islands by settlers, tourists and even scientists and describes how much harder it is to live on islands with inadequate water, health care or sanitation than to cruise around them on a luxurious tour ship.
Frankly, I found the myriad of problems on the islands to be dispiriting and eventually put the book aside. Also, I was published over ten years ago, so it is a bit out of date with respect to the management of the islands. At least according to Wikipedia, "In July 2010, the World Heritage Committee agreed to remove the Galápagos Islands from its list of precious sites endangered by environmental threats or overuse." So, maybe there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel....more
This is what I call an index card book, it reads as if the author had collected a lot of information on index cards, gathered them in piles on a desk This is what I call an index card book, it reads as if the author had collected a lot of information on index cards, gathered them in piles on a desk and forced it all into a book. Only the strident rants against modernity provide any consistent narrative thread. What a waste of a good title and a great writer's talent....more
An excellent introduction to the wildlife of the Galapagos -- highly recommended reading for the birdwatcher or nature enthusiast prior to (or during)An excellent introduction to the wildlife of the Galapagos -- highly recommended reading for the birdwatcher or nature enthusiast prior to (or during) a trip to the islands....more
Although I am not generally a fan of magazine writing, this set of essays is certainly written with passion and commitment. Most of the essays concernAlthough I am not generally a fan of magazine writing, this set of essays is certainly written with passion and commitment. Most of the essays concern far north or the far south, including of course Alaska and Antarctica. As the author was complaining bitterly about climate change, I kept thinking about the colossal size of his carbon footprint as he flew on airplanes and helicopters and rode on ice breakers with four 6,000 horsepower engines. Certainly he left clouds of greenhouse gases behind him throughout his career....more
Heartfelt and always entertaining, even the difficult autobiographical events. I gave it five stars even though I found her rescues to be crazily extrHeartfelt and always entertaining, even the difficult autobiographical events. I gave it five stars even though I found her rescues to be crazily extreme....more
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