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Managed Annihilation
by Dean L.Y. Bavington • 2010
The 1992 cod collapse that idled 30,000 workers was not nature's fault but management's.
3.29
21
Managed Annihilation Summary
Managed Annihilation 92%
The 1992 cod collapse that idled 30,000 workers was not nature's fault but management's.
by Dean L.Y. Bavington 2010
3.29
21 ratings
Collapse
by Jared Diamond • 2004
Civilizations don't just run out of resources. They fail to decide.
3.94
75k+
Collapse Summary
Collapse 91%
Civilizations don't just run out of resources. They fail to decide.
by Jared Diamond 2004
3.94
75k+ ratings
The Fate of Rome
by Kyle Harper • 2017
The Roman Empire wasn't just conquered. It was overwhelmed by climate chaos and pandemic disease.
4.19
2k+
The Fate of Rome Summary
The Fate of Rome 91%
The Roman Empire wasn't just conquered. It was overwhelmed by climate chaos and pandemic disease.
by Kyle Harper 2017
4.19
2k+ ratings
The World Without Us
by Alan Weisman • 2007
What happens to every city, every nuclear plant, and every plastic bag the moment humans disappear.
3.81
44k+
The World Without Us Summary
The World Without Us 91%
What happens to every city, every nuclear plant, and every plastic bag the moment humans disappear.
by Alan Weisman 2007
3.81
44k+ ratings
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age
by Dipesh Chakrabarty • 2021
All our political concepts assume a stable planet. The Anthropocene reveals it never was.
3.68
142
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age Summary
The Climate of History in a Planetary Age 91%
All our political concepts assume a stable planet. The Anthropocene reveals it never was.
by Dipesh Chakrabarty 2021
3.68
142 ratings
Four Lost Cities
by Annalee Newitz • 2021
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
3.78
7k+
Four Lost Cities Summary
Four Lost Cities 91%
Lost cities didn't vanish; their people walked away when rulers chose monuments over working sewers.
by Annalee Newitz 2021
3.78
7k+ ratings
The Secret Wisdom of Nature
by Peter Wohlleben • 2017
Why a wolf can reroute a river, and salmon feed the forest: nature's invisible connections.
4.05
7k+
The Secret Wisdom of Nature Summary
The Secret Wisdom of Nature 91%
Why a wolf can reroute a river, and salmon feed the forest: nature's invisible connections.
by Peter Wohlleben 2017
4.05
7k+ ratings
Political Ecology
by Paul Robbins • 2004
Environmental problems are political problems. A critical field guide to the tools that prove it.
3.92
208
Political Ecology Summary
Political Ecology 90%
Environmental problems are political problems. A critical field guide to the tools that prove it.
by Paul Robbins 2004
3.92
208 ratings
Medicine Wheel for the Planet
by Jennifer Grenz • 2024
Restoration ecology worships a pristine past. Land actually heals through kinship, not conquest.
4.31
558
Medicine Wheel for the Planet Summary
Medicine Wheel for the Planet 90%
Restoration ecology worships a pristine past. Land actually heals through kinship, not conquest.
by Jennifer Grenz 2024
4.31
558 ratings
Cod
by Mark Kurlansky • 1997
The fish that built empires and fueled a slave trade. Then it stopped coming back.
3.92
25k+
Cod Summary
Cod 90%
The fish that built empires and fueled a slave trade. Then it stopped coming back.
by Mark Kurlansky 1997
3.92
25k+ ratings
1493
by Charles C. Mann • 2011
Potatoes east, mosquitoes west: the biological upheaval set off by 1492 that still runs the world.
4.12
21k+
1493 Summary
1493 90%
Potatoes east, mosquitoes west: the biological upheaval set off by 1492 that still runs the world.
by Charles C. Mann 2011
4.12
21k+ ratings
1491
by Charles C. Mann • 2005
A hemisphere of cities, empires, and millions, emptied by smallpox before colonists arrived.
4.05
96k+
1491 Summary
1491 90%
A hemisphere of cities, empires, and millions, emptied by smallpox before colonists arrived.
by Charles C. Mann 2005
4.05
96k+ ratings
Under a White Sky
by Elizabeth Kolbert • 2021
Every environmental solution spawns a new problem. The next ones alter genes and block the sun.
4.10
13k+
Under a White Sky Summary
Under a White Sky 90%
Every environmental solution spawns a new problem. The next ones alter genes and block the sun.
by Elizabeth Kolbert 2021
4.10
13k+ ratings
Nature's Metropolis
by William Cronon • 1991
The grain and hogs flowing through Chicago didn't just feed the nation, they rewired the continent.
4.26
4k+
Nature's Metropolis Summary
Nature's Metropolis 90%
The grain and hogs flowing through Chicago didn't just feed the nation, they rewired the continent.
by William Cronon 1991
4.26
4k+ ratings
Megafire
by Michael Kodas • 2017
A century of putting out every fire made the forests a tinderbox. Now climate change is the match.
4.01
254
Megafire Summary
Megafire 90%
A century of putting out every fire made the forests a tinderbox. Now climate change is the match.
by Michael Kodas 2017
4.01
254 ratings
Dark Emu
by Bruce Pascoe • 2014
Early reports found Aboriginal farms and dams; the hunter-gatherer label was a colonial lie.
4.27
16k+
Dark Emu Summary
Dark Emu 90%
Early reports found Aboriginal farms and dams; the hunter-gatherer label was a colonial lie.
by Bruce Pascoe 2014
4.27
16k+ ratings
Resilience Thinking
by Brian Walker • 2006
Stop optimizing nature. The science that explains why management backfires, and what to do instead.
3.87
362
Resilience Thinking Summary
Resilience Thinking 90%
Stop optimizing nature. The science that explains why management backfires, and what to do instead.
by Brian Walker 2006
3.87
362 ratings
The Sacred Balance
by David Suzuki • 1997
You are made from the planet's air, water, and soil. Forgetting this is the emergency.
4.14
2k+
The Sacred Balance Summary
The Sacred Balance 90%
You are made from the planet's air, water, and soil. Forgetting this is the emergency.
by David Suzuki 1997
4.14
2k+ ratings
The Klamath Knot
by David Rains Wallace • 1983
An Oregon forest 40 million years old: evolution still running experiments Darwin never imagined.
4.20
184
The Klamath Knot Summary
The Klamath Knot 90%
An Oregon forest 40 million years old: evolution still running experiments Darwin never imagined.
by David Rains Wallace 1983
4.20
184 ratings
The End of Nature
by Bill McKibben • 1989
Nature once stood apart from human affairs. We altered the atmosphere, and that separation fell.
3.94
3k+
The End of Nature Summary
The End of Nature 90%
Nature once stood apart from human affairs. We altered the atmosphere, and that separation fell.
by Bill McKibben 1989
3.94
3k+ ratings
Energy and Civilization
by Vaclav Smil • 2017
A week of American energy use matches a year of Nigerian. The history behind that gap.
4.09
4k+
Energy and Civilization Summary
Energy and Civilization 90%
A week of American energy use matches a year of Nigerian. The history behind that gap.
by Vaclav Smil 2017
4.09
4k+ ratings
The Big Burn
by Timothy Egan • 2009
Congress tried to kill the Forest Service; a 3.2-million-acre fire saved it instead.
4.14
19k+
The Big Burn Summary
The Big Burn 90%
Congress tried to kill the Forest Service; a 3.2-million-acre fire saved it instead.
by Timothy Egan 2009
4.14
19k+ ratings
A Life on Our Planet
by David Attenborough • 2020
Half of all wild animals vanished in one lifetime. The way back requires more than cutting carbon.
4.50
35k+
A Life on Our Planet Summary
A Life on Our Planet 90%
Half of all wild animals vanished in one lifetime. The way back requires more than cutting carbon.
by David Attenborough 2020
4.50
35k+ ratings
Timefulness
by Marcia Bjornerud • 2018
The climate crisis has a hidden dimension: time. Why the billion-year view matters now.
4.07
2k+
Timefulness Summary
Timefulness 90%
The climate crisis has a hidden dimension: time. Why the billion-year view matters now.
by Marcia Bjornerud 2018
4.07
2k+ ratings
After 1177 B.C.
by Eric H. Cline • 2024
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
3.77
2k+
After 1177 B.C. Summary
After 1177 B.C. 90%
Not every civilization collapsed in 1177 B.C. Egypt barely coped; Phoenicia and Cyprus thrived.
by Eric H. Cline 2024
3.77
2k+ ratings
The Rescue Effect
by Michael Mehta Webster • 2022
Species have hidden backup systems that kick in under stress. The best conservation helps them work.
3.94
52
The Rescue Effect Summary
The Rescue Effect 90%
Species have hidden backup systems that kick in under stress. The best conservation helps them work.
by Michael Mehta Webster 2022
3.94
52 ratings
Lives of the Trees
by Diana Wells • 2010
Almonds once meant hope, cypresses mourning. A cultural biography of the trees that shaped history.
3.79
287
Lives of the Trees Summary
Lives of the Trees 90%
Almonds once meant hope, cypresses mourning. A cultural biography of the trees that shaped history.
by Diana Wells 2010
3.79
287 ratings
Seeing Like a State
by James C. Scott • 1998
Why grand state plans fail: the same simplifications that make society governable make it fragile.
4.21
7k+
Seeing Like a State Summary
Seeing Like a State 90%
Why grand state plans fail: the same simplifications that make society governable make it fragile.
by James C. Scott 1998
4.21
7k+ ratings
Gathering Moss
by Robin Wall Kimmerer • 2003
They drink fog, build forests, bridge worlds. A scientist and Potawatomi woman on what mosses know.
4.38
21k+
Gathering Moss Summary
Gathering Moss 90%
They drink fog, build forests, bridge worlds. A scientist and Potawatomi woman on what mosses know.
by Robin Wall Kimmerer 2003
4.38
21k+ ratings
The Practice of the Wild
by Gary Snyder • 1990
The rules for real freedom are written in forests, watersheds, and the food chain.
4.19
3k+
The Practice of the Wild Summary
The Practice of the Wild 90%
The rules for real freedom are written in forests, watersheds, and the food chain.
by Gary Snyder 1990
4.19
3k+ ratings
An Inconvenient Apocalypse
by Wes Jackson • 2022
Civilization's biological drive for energy makes collapse inevitable. No green tech can stop it.
3.56
198
An Inconvenient Apocalypse Summary
An Inconvenient Apocalypse 89%
Civilization's biological drive for energy makes collapse inevitable. No green tech can stop it.
by Wes Jackson 2022
3.56
198 ratings
Origins
by Lewis Dartnell • 2019
Tectonic shifts, ice ages, and ancient oceans didn't set the stage. They wrote human history.
4.17
4k+
Origins Summary
Origins 89%
Tectonic shifts, ice ages, and ancient oceans didn't set the stage. They wrote human history.
by Lewis Dartnell 2019
4.17
4k+ ratings
The Sixth Extinction
by Elizabeth Kolbert • 2014
The planet's fifth mass extinction killed the dinosaurs. We are the cause of the sixth.
4.15
80k+
The Sixth Extinction Summary
The Sixth Extinction 89%
The planet's fifth mass extinction killed the dinosaurs. We are the cause of the sixth.
by Elizabeth Kolbert 2014
4.15
80k+ ratings
Braiding Sweetgrass
by Robin Wall Kimmerer • 2013
Two sciences braided: a Potawatomi botanist on why plants are teachers and earth is a gift.
4.51
177k+
Braiding Sweetgrass Summary
Braiding Sweetgrass 89%
Two sciences braided: a Potawatomi botanist on why plants are teachers and earth is a gift.
by Robin Wall Kimmerer 2013
4.51
177k+ ratings
The Legacy
by David Suzuki • 2010
GDP counts car crashes as growth. An elder's vision for measuring what actually sustains us.
4.21
492
The Legacy Summary
The Legacy 89%
GDP counts car crashes as growth. An elder's vision for measuring what actually sustains us.
by David Suzuki 2010
4.21
492 ratings
How to Think Seriously About the Planet
by Roger Scruton • 2011
Why local loyalty, beauty, and tradition matter more for the planet than any global climate treaty.
3.87
446
How to Think Seriously About the Planet Summary
How to Think Seriously About the Planet 89%
Why local loyalty, beauty, and tradition matter more for the planet than any global climate treaty.
by Roger Scruton 2011
3.87
446 ratings
After Lockdown
by Bruno Latour • 2021
The lockdown ended. The fantasy of escaping Earth should end too.
3.50
311
After Lockdown Summary
After Lockdown 89%
The lockdown ended. The fantasy of escaping Earth should end too.
by Bruno Latour 2021
3.50
311 ratings
1177 B.C.
by Eric H. Cline • 2014
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
3.74
13k+
1177 B.C. Summary
1177 B.C. 89%
The Bronze Age had trade routes and diplomacy. A cascade of disasters brought it down.
by Eric H. Cline 2014
3.74
13k+ ratings
Around the World in 80 Trees
by Jonathan Drori • 2018
A botanical tour of 80 trees that built empires, inspired myths, and launched trade routes.
4.55
2k+
Around the World in 80 Trees Summary
Around the World in 80 Trees 89%
A botanical tour of 80 trees that built empires, inspired myths, and launched trade routes.
by Jonathan Drori 2018
4.55
2k+ ratings
How the World Really Works
by Vaclav Smil • 2022
Both doomers and utopians skip the same thing: modern civilization's staggering material scale.
3.94
14k+
How the World Really Works Summary
How the World Really Works 89%
Both doomers and utopians skip the same thing: modern civilization's staggering material scale.
by Vaclav Smil 2022
3.94
14k+ ratings
Movement Matters
by Katy Bowman • 2016
Movement is biology, not exercise. The true cost of outsourcing it reaches beyond your body.
4.28
850
Movement Matters Summary
Movement Matters 89%
Movement is biology, not exercise. The true cost of outsourcing it reaches beyond your body.
by Katy Bowman 2016
4.28
850 ratings
Work
by James Suzman • 2020
Work predates paychecks by billions of years. A history of how energy became employment.
3.83
3k+
Work Summary
Work 89%
Work predates paychecks by billions of years. A history of how energy became employment.
by James Suzman 2020
3.83
3k+ ratings
Earth in Human Hands
by David Grinspoon • 2016
If most civilizations burn out within a thousand years, why would we be the exception?
4.19
311
Earth in Human Hands Summary
Earth in Human Hands 89%
If most civilizations burn out within a thousand years, why would we be the exception?
by David Grinspoon 2016
4.19
311 ratings
Our Green Heart
by Diana Beresford-Kroeger • 2024
Chlorophyll and hemoglobin are subatomic twins. When forests die, so does the animal kingdom.
4.09
521
Our Green Heart Summary
Our Green Heart 89%
Chlorophyll and hemoglobin are subatomic twins. When forests die, so does the animal kingdom.
by Diana Beresford-Kroeger 2024
4.09
521 ratings
How to Thrive in the Next Economy
by John Thackara • 2015
A design movement is ditching ‘less harm’ for an economy that restores soil, water, and community.
3.78
246
How to Thrive in the Next Economy Summary
How to Thrive in the Next Economy 89%
A design movement is ditching ‘less harm’ for an economy that restores soil, water, and community.
by John Thackara 2015
3.78
246 ratings
Why the West Rules—for Now
by Ian Morris • 2010
Western rule is a geographical accident. One 15,000-year index shows why, and predicts the handoff.
4.11
6k+
Why the West Rules—for Now Summary
Why the West Rules—for Now 89%
Western rule is a geographical accident. One 15,000-year index shows why, and predicts the handoff.
by Ian Morris 2010
4.11
6k+ ratings
Our Angry Earth
by Isaac Asimov • 1991
Asimov connected climate change, ozone loss, toxic waste, and soil erosion: four alarms, one fire.
3.71
126
Our Angry Earth Summary
Our Angry Earth 89%
Asimov connected climate change, ozone loss, toxic waste, and soil erosion: four alarms, one fire.
by Isaac Asimov 1991
3.71
126 ratings
The Mushroom at the End of the World
by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing • 2015
A global commodity mushroom reveals how life, value, and freedom endure in capitalism's wreckage.
3.96
8k+
The Mushroom at the End of the World Summary
The Mushroom at the End of the World 89%
A global commodity mushroom reveals how life, value, and freedom endure in capitalism's wreckage.
by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing 2015
3.96
8k+ ratings
Becoming Animal
by David Abram • 2010
Literacy silenced the land; reconnection runs through the body, the birds, and the air.
4.18
2k+
Becoming Animal Summary
Becoming Animal 89%
Literacy silenced the land; reconnection runs through the body, the birds, and the air.
by David Abram 2010
4.18
2k+ ratings
Last Harvest
by Dan Saladino • 2021
Three grains now supply half the world's calories. What happens when the backup crops are gone?
4.31
3k+
Last Harvest Summary
Last Harvest 89%
Three grains now supply half the world's calories. What happens when the backup crops are gone?
by Dan Saladino 2021
4.31
3k+ ratings
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