The World Without Us in The Transition Movement

Oct 18, 2016 zed rated it really liked it · review of another edition

For a science duffer like me this was easy to read and I would recommend it. So us westerners have left depleted uranium with a half life of 4.5 billion years all over Iraq and expect them to like us? Ha! I had no idea of the ramifications of depleted uranium, heck the science side of this has passed me by. Stupid me. How could I have not given thought to armour piecing weaponry that leaves radiation traces of a half life of 4.5 billion years. Depending on who one wants to believe all that for e ...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Riku Sayuj rated it really liked it

Shelves: ecology, r-r-rs

I am disappointed that in spite of the tremendous scope, the book never manages to rise beyond the past and the present and truly explore its potential - that of imagining a post-human world, far into the future. Most of the book was about the world before humans and about how we have changed it. This was interesting and informative, but was not really the reason I started the book and was not what the dust jacket promised.

But, despite the shortcomings or rather the under delivery, it still mana ...more

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Oct 27, 2009 Richard rated it liked it

Shelves: science, bookclub, nonfiction-apocalyptic, nonfiction, environment

The conception of this book was brilliant, but while writing, the author—or at least his editor—should have realized that the execution was muddled.

Imagine several of your favorite foods. Perhaps Kung Pao chicken, a spinach salad, blueberry pie, beer and peanuts, coffee and biscotti, shrimp etouffee. Very nice individually, some might be made even better with artful blending. Now toss them all in a big bowl and mix thoroughly. Appetizing?

Weisman’s title teases us with a singular view of human ex ...more

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Dec 25, 2010 David Rubenstein rated it it was amazing

Shelves: biology, audiobook, archaeology, technology, science, history

On the surface, this clever book describes what the world would be like if humans were to suddenly disappear from the face of the earth. Alan Weisman begins the book by describing the probable fate of man's buildings, structures--above and below ground, and cultural artifacts. For example, New York subways would completely flood within days. Interestingly, our longest-lasting legacy will probably be the radio signals transmitted into space.

But the majority of this engaging book is really about e ...more

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Nov 10, 2008 Ed rated it it was amazing

Stunning mental exercise: the world after the human race has gone. Allows really interesting meditation on our impact on the ecology etc of the earth. Changes how you see us as a species

1 like · Like · see review