The author is knowledgeable and the book is well written. The topic is one-dimensional in that the basic concept is that humans are causing extinction of many species. He covers the magnitude of the problem, the causes, and the potential solutions. I appreciate and concur with his concerns. I believe that ongoing and future efforts at conservation of biodiversity will have beneficial effects but am skeptical that economic and developmental forces will be held in check. I suspect that we are more similar to a bacteria that grows until it runs out of food. ( )

This is mostly a book about the problems of decreased biodiversity, so it's a very sad read. ( )

One of the world's most important scientists, Edward O. Wilson is also an abundantly talented writer who has twice won the Pulitzer Prize. In this, his most personal and timely book to date, he assesses the precarious state of our environment, examining the mass extinctions occurring in our time and the natural treasures we are about to lose forever. Yet, rather than espousing doomsday prophesies, he spells out a specific plan to save our world while there is still time. His vision is a hopeful one, as economically sound as it is environmentally necessary. Eloquent, practical and wise, this book should be read and studied by anyone concerned with the fate of the natural world.

A strange book. A kind of cry of anguish and plea for sanity.

In my humble unsolicited opinion the problem and major shortcoming of environmentalists is that instead of advocating reasonable self-preservation they go on an on about the wonders of nature. They must know, or at least the realistic among them, that only a tiny fraction of people care about losing species, destroying natural habitats and making their kids' heritage so much poorer. On the other hand everyone cares about their standard of living and there are plenty of good conservationist arguments that could take advantage of that self-interest.

Alas, this book like all others I've read too often strays from this route and goes down the "isn't nature beautiful" dead-end. It is beautiful but no one cares and sadly this is not helping. ( )

For a book published in 2002, it is good to see how much that was written about has come to pass; improved understanding of the environment, a desire to think big in terms of conservation areas, and looking at the biodiversity of regions.

That said there are areas that have not progressed. Along with animal extinctions, loss of rainforest, and other environmental disasters that have happened around the world.

The solutions that he proposes in the final chapter are still valid, and any government should look at implementing these given how business and corporations have managed to bring the world the the edge of the abyss, and still want more concessions. ( )