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Title: Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit by Al Gore, Albert, Jr. Gore ISBN: 0-452-26935-0 Publisher: Plume Pub. Date: January, 1993 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.13 (103 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Exhaustive Research By Unparalleled Authority
Comment: This superlative examination of the detrimental effect mankind's technology is having upon our planet is vital reading for anyone who cares about the environment, and wants to leave the Earth habitable for generations to come. Dr. Gore herein summarizes the exhaustive research he compiled during more than a decade of work upon multiple post-graduate science degrees. A fully-educated, technically qualified and field-tested scientist of first rank, Dr. Gore offers incontrovertible empirical data, fully reflecting his countless hours, days and nights, weeks, months and years in the laboratory, the classroom and the field (ocean depths, desert expanses, forests, meadows, polar ice caps, balloon ascensions into the upper atmosphere, descents into active volcanos, mountain-tops, rivers, streams, lakes and plains). The author's multiple doctorate degrees (Earth science, anthropology, geology, envirnomental science, physics, chemistry) imbue his conclusions and predictions with utterly unquestionable credibility -- it would be impossible to believe anyone with any less of an academic credential or laboratory pedigree. Thank you, Dr. Gore, for sounding your tocsins. If only humankind would now give Dr. Gore's warnings the consideration they deserve!
Rating: 4
Summary: Well Thought Out and Provocative
Comment: I have read this book two and a half times - during the 1992 and 1996 elections and am reading it currently - and have found it fascinating each time. Al Gore seems to truly understand the environmental issue to a depth that is shocking to find in a politician. Common criticisms of the book include:
1. It is dully written - This is true to some extent. If I were not fascinated by the subject I may have found it rough going. This is the reason it gets 4 stars rather than 5 from me.
2. That the facts stated are unsupported - Balderdash. The book is not foot-noted like an academic monograph because it is not an academic monograph - it is a "popular science" book much like Carl Sagan's work or Isaac Asimov's nonfiction. Sources are frequently mentioned within the text and the figure captions. Add this to the copious chapter notes and bibliography and his sources are well credited.
3. Current Science doses not back up the text - Fully answering this would mean writing another book, but, for example, I have yet to see a reputable atmospheric scientist outside the pay of conservative think tanks deny the existence of the global warming phenomenon anymore. Gore simply researched this book to death and got the science right.
4. An excuse for more big government - Yes, some more environmental regulation would be necessary to forward the Vice-President's goals - current corporate structure is not at all conducive to putting the good of the world ahead of the bottom line no matter how small the sacrifice is. On the other hand, Al Gore was one of the first proponents of free-market solutions too, such as transferable carbon-emission credits.
All in all, a very good if not great book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Out of the box approach to our environment
Comment: This books views Earth in a unique context. The events that we observe in our local frame of reference do not give indications of changes that happen at a global scale. Al Gore argues that technological infrastructure should use it to study events from a global perspective and new technologies should be tailored to have beneficial impact on our air, water, and other natural resources.
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Title: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson ISBN: 0618249060 Publisher: Mariner Books Pub. Date: 22 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Joined at the Heart: The Transformation of the American Family by Al Gore, Tipper Gore ISBN: 0805068937 Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. Pub. Date: 12 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
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Title: Who Will Feed China?: Wake-Up Call for a Small Planet (The Worldwatch Environmental Alert) by Lester R. Brown ISBN: 039331409X Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: September, 1995 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: This Organic Life: Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader by Joan Dye Gussow ISBN: 1931498245 Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Pillar of Sand: Can the Irrigation Miracle Last? by Sandra Postel ISBN: 0393319377 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: July, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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