Most books about the environment build on dire threats warning of the possible extinction of humanity. Alan Weisman avoids frightening off readers by disarmingly wiping out our species in the first few pages of this remarkable book. He then continues with an astounding depiction of how Earth will fare once we're no longer around. The World Without Us is a one-of-a-kind book that sweeps through time from the moment of humanity's future extinction to millions of years into the future. Drawing on interviews with experts and ...
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Most books about the environment build on dire threats warning of the possible extinction of humanity. Alan Weisman avoids frightening off readers by disarmingly wiping out our species in the first few pages of this remarkable book. He then continues with an astounding depiction of how Earth will fare once we're no longer around. The World Without Us is a one-of-a-kind book that sweeps through time from the moment of humanity's future extinction to millions of years into the future. Drawing on interviews with experts and on real examples of places in the world that have already been abandoned by humans--Chernobyl, the Korean DMZ and an ancient Polish forest--Weisman shows both the shocking impact we've had on our planet and how impermanent our footprint actually is.
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Seller's Description:
New in new dust jacket. New, Publisher overstock, may have small remainder mark. Excellent condition, never read, purchased from publisher as excess inventory.
I re-bought this book because I'd passed on to others my original one. In an entertaining way, Weisman lays out what would happen if people were no longer around to maintain things -- and catastrophes that would occur because we're gone. It's a great book.
lorajs@yahoo.com
Jan 15, 2009
Fabulous Book
This book ranks among my favorites of all time in the category of history and facts, because along with a thought-provoking premise, the author drenches the reader with information about all sorts of things we should all know about but mostly didn't have the opportunity to even come across. I would recommend it for any reader old enough to think about the world as his/her responsibility and home.
Ellyb
Aug 2, 2008
Flat out cool
In "The World Without Us," Weisman looks not only at the world without us, but the world before us, the world with us, and the world in spite of us. Discussing our prehistoric rise from the primordial goo and the ways which we began even then to change our surroundings, this is an exceptionally well-rounded look at our history, our present, and our future with regards to humanity's effect on the planet. Some of the most interesting discussions are Weisman's looks at areas of the world which have, for one reason or another, been abruptly vacated by human activity. These areas provide a partial window into the natural processes that will begin to envelop our architecture and whatever else we leave behind. I admit that there were a couple of places where I felt a little lost and/or disinterested; one chapter discusses what will happen to all the world's petrochemical refineries. While this is an important area to look at, it still meant having to read about petrochemical refineries, which are inherently a little dry as subject matter. This is more than compensated for, however, in other fascinating chapters which look at evolution, wildlife, New York City, the DMZ in Korea, and Chernobyl. But overall this is definitely a worthwhile read. It cannot help but spark thought in anyone willing to absorb the information presented so clearly and honestly.
essar1
Jan 17, 2008
A Very Compelling Book!
I found out about this book via some very good reviews and year-end best of lists and there's good reason - its excellent. Weisman goes into great detail on what would happen to the earth and the environment if the human race was suddenly to disappear. He goes into very concise detail on what will happen to our infrastructure and very interestingly, what will happen to the planet's wild life. The answers, are compelling and surprising and Weisman lays it all out in a way where you don't have to be a scientist to figure it out. Very vividly Weisman describes how different chemicals and molecules react and break down. Very interestingly, Weisman provides real life examples of what our environment, left untouched, would be like. A+!
sandrac
Oct 26, 2007
Good Read
Very informative and a bit scary on what would happen with out us on earth. Need in some places in the book to know a bit of science, but otherwise nice read.
