First published 2014
Our planet confronts its sixth mass extinction event, with species vanishing at unprecedented speeds. Elizabeth Kolbert explores this crisis through a blend of historical investigation, scientific research, and global fieldwork spanning continents. Her journey begins with early extinction discoveries in Paris, establishing how scientists first grasped the concept of species disappearance. She then chronicles today's accelerating biodiversity loss caused by human actions. Kolbert accompanies researchers working in diverse environments, from dying coral reefs to threatened rainforest habitats, revealing how human behavior has triggered worldwide ecological collapse. The narrative weaves together ancient extinction events and contemporary destruction, illustrating humanity's transformation into a geological force that reshapes planetary life. This tenth anniversary edition provides readers with both a comprehensive view of ongoing species losses and a compelling case for reassessing our relationship with Earth's living systems.
Genres: history, science, social-science, environment, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, scientific-research
Setting: Mei Guo
Period: Xian Dai
352 pages · Paperback · Holt Paperbacks