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The Dominant Animal: Human Evolution and the Environment

by Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich

The Dominant Animal: Human Evolution and the Environment Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

In humanity's more than 100,000 year history, we have evolved from vulnerable creatures clawing sustenance from Earth to a sophisticated global society manipulating every inch of it. In short, we have become the dominant animal. Why, then, are we creating a world that threatens our own species? What can we do to change the current trajectory toward more climate change, increased famine, and epidemic disease?

Renowned Stanford scientists Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich believe that intelligently addressing those questions depends on a clear understanding of how we evolved and how and why we're changing the planet in ways that darken our descendants' future. The Dominant Animal arms readers with that knowledge, tracing the interplay between environmental change and genetic and cultural evolution since the dawn of humanity. In lucid and engaging prose, they describe how Homo sapiens adapted to their surroundings, eventually developing the vibrant cultures, vast scientific knowledge, and technological wizardry we know today.

But the Ehrlichs also explore the flip side of this triumphant story of innovation and conquest. As we clear forests to raise crops and build cities, lace the continents with highways, and create chemicals never before seen in nature, we may be undermining our own supremacy. The threats of environmental damage are clear from the daily headlines, but the outcome is far from destined. Humanity can again adapt: if we learn from our evolutionary past.

Those lessons are crystallized in The Dominant Animal. Tackling the fundamental challenge of the human predicament, Paul and Anne Ehrlich offer a vivid and unique exploration of our origins, our evolution, and our future.

Review:

"Since the 1968 publication of Paul and Anne Ehrlich's The Population Bomb, they have played a major role in generating awareness of looming ecological crisis. While their more dire predictions (millions dead in famines before the end of the 20th century) have not come to pass, the correctness of their fundamental thesis-that we are in danger of undermining 'the ability of Earth's environment to support much of life-including our own,' is now widely accepted. Forty years later, they consider scientific, technical and cultural developments (especially in the fields of genetics and information technology), and how they've raised the stakes, perhaps 'putting all of humanity on a course resembling the fate of ancient civilizations that collapsed.' They argue clearly and convincingly the pressing need for a global shift away from the ever-expanding siren call of consumerism, the culpability of corporate interests that have promoted resource-draining suburban sprawl, and the self-serving wastefulness of 'the most affluent fifth of the U.S. population.' Tough hopeful that such widespread transformation is possible, the Ehrlichs contend that it's only the encroaching crisis that will inspire it — unless, that is, this fascinating, inspiring book gets the wide audience it deserves." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

Canadians joke that, given their vile winters, they are the only people in the world who welcome global warming. But some things are too serious for humor. The world is in a crisis because of rising temperatures. Climate patterns have been disrupted, with devastating effects on lands near and far. Regions that once produced food in abundance are now arid deserts. Australians, for instance, are starting... Washington Post Book Review (read the entire Washington Post review)

Review:

"Alpha male and female of contemporary science ... the Ehrlichs convey a message at once chilling and hopeful.. The big ideas and the tenor of The Dominant Animal are right on. The book rejects starry eyed insistence on new technology as humankinds savior in favor of socially responsible, if admittedly difficult-to-enact, prescriptions."

Review:

"Alpha male and female of contemporary science ... the Ehrlichs convey a message at once chilling and hopeful.. The big ideas and the tenor of The Dominant Animal are right on. The book rejects starry eyed insistence on new technology as humankinds savior in favor of socially responsible, if admittedly difficult-to-enact, prescriptions."
(Seed)

Review:

"This sparkling book is a great guide to whats essential about humans, the world, and how they affect each other. Along the way, youll pick up delicious tidbits such as what Mussolinis basic problem was, and why we are so sure that tiny sequoia seeds grow into 300-foot sequoia trees even though no one has ever seen it happen."

Review:

"This is a grand tour of the current state of ecological science, and a tour de force of observation, insight, and suggestion."

 

Review:

The Ehrlichs, in The Dominant Animal, cover an enormous amount of scientific ground in looking at both the big picture in terms of environmental dangers and challenges while also offering detailed explanations of how humans have evolved, both genetically and culturally, within our environment. The book relates precise science in easily understandable terms.

Review:

Covering a vast swathe of disciplines, from genetics, evolution and ecology to climatology, economics and global politics, the book almost reads like a primer for the concerned citizen.... This marvellous compendium should be required reading.

Review:

In The Dominant Animal, the Ehrlichs step back and analyse the big picture, looking carefully at how humans have evolved to dominance and, in the process, are laying waste the planet. Their message is that our technological advances arent matched by how well we treat one another or the environment around us.

Review:

Imagine a UN Millennium Assessment of Human Behavior! This an important and sobering work.

Review:

"This is a grand tour of the current state of ecological science, and a tour de force of observation, insight, and suggestion."

Review:

"This is a brilliant and fascinating account of how we became the planets ruling species and now the major force determining the future of evolution. The Ehrlichs broad perspective and lucid prose bring fresh understanding to whats going on in the world today. Everyone should read this book."

Review:

"[The Ehrlichs] argue clearly and convincingly ... this fascinating, inspiring book [deserves a] wide audience."

Review:

"No one has more authority to write on these matters than the husband-and-wife team of Stanford biologists Paul and Anne Ehrlich. For decades now they have been documenting and warning of humans effects on the environment. Their new book, The Dominant Animal, continues their chronicle of the damage we have done to our home.. This is an important book,with much information and some really stimulating ideas. We need to build on these ideas, because the world is in an environmental mess and things are not getting better."

Synopsis:

Renowned Stanford scientists Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich believe that intelligently addressing todays great environmental and social challenges requires a clear understanding of how we evolved and how were changing the planet. The Dominant Animal offers readers that knowledge, tracing the interplay between environmental change and genetic and cultural evolution since the dawn of humanity. Tackling the fundamental challenge of the human predicament, Paul and Anne Ehrlich offer a vivid and unique exploration of our origins, our evolution, and our future.

About the Author

Paul R. Ehrlich is Bing Professor of Population Studies and professor of biological sciences at Stanford University. The author of Human Natures, The Population Bomb, and many other books, as well as hundreds of papers, he is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a recipient of numerous international honors, including the Crafoord Prize, an explicit substitute for the Nobel Prize in fields of science in which the latter is not given.

Anne H. Ehrlich is affiliated with Stanford's Department of Biological Sciences and Center for C6onservation Biology. She has served on the board of the Sierra Club and other conservation organizations, has coauthored more than ten books with her husband (including One with Nineveh), and is a recipient of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and the United Nations Environment Programme\Sasakawa Environment Prize.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
aunt dracula, December 15, 2008 (view all comments by aunt dracula)
very good, comprehensive coverage of the the current state of environmental issues. there is a good deal of overlap with other enviro books out there now, but very good for people new to the topic, and still worth checking out for people who are familiar with all the general info.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9781597260961
Subtitle:
Human Evolution and the Environment
Author:
Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich
Author:
Ehrlich, Paul R.
Author:
Ehrlich, Anne H.
Publisher:
Island Press
Subject:
Environmental Science
Subject:
History
Subject:
Human beings
Subject:
Human Geography
Subject:
Life Sciences - Evolution - Human
Subject:
Human evolution
Subject:
Human beings -- Effect of environment on.
Copyright:
Edition Description:
1
Series Volume:
Human Evolution and
Publication Date:
June 2008
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
428
Dimensions:
9.26x6.53x1.31 in. 1.71 lbs.

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