Resources -- Top 10 Eco-Books

Desert Solitaire, by Edward Abbey
One of our most-beloved environmentalists, Abbey combines in Desert Solitaire his experiences in some of the United States’ most magnificent national parks with poetry, philosophy and the human side of conservation.

Last of the Curlews, by Fred Bodsworth
This outstanding and heart-wrenching novel tells the tale of a lone male Eskimo curlew who searches for a mate at a time when his species is nearly extinct. Bodsworth vividly and moving presents the challenges of migration and survival for the curlew. (summary by Mandy Sesser, New Orleans, Louisiana)

Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson
Stirring, well reasoned and beautifully written, Silent Spring was the wake-up call that clearly laid out the environmental and human dangers of pesticide use. Its publication in 1962 spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land and water and sparked an environmental movement that has altered the course of history. It's also a great read! Today the book endures as testimony to the indomitable spirit of a woman who wasn't afraid to stand up, against formidable personal odds and say what needed to be said. (Summary by Carolyn Merkle, Tucson, Arizona)

A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard
This is one book I would choose to have if I were marooned on a desert island. It revels in the great diversity and fecundity of the life force that surrounds us, even down to the tiny flora and fauna most of us ignore. Dillard is a peerless teacher of how to "see" the world around us. (Summary by Brandy Vickers, Somerville, Massachusetts)

The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth, by Tim Flannery
Want the facts on global warming and climate change? Read this book along with Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change, by Elizabeth Kolbert. Together, they put to rest any question of what is occurring. (Summary by Colleen McMullen, Kanab, Utah)

The Ecology of Commerce, by Paul Hawken
Environmental issues are often framed as a choice between a strong economy and a clean and healthy environment. The Ecology of Commerce shows that we can have both, and that environmental health can and should drive long-term economic health. (Summary by Kelly Veronico, Hoffman Estates, IL)

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, by Richard Louv
The author echoed my feelings about growing up free to explore my childhood farm, and how sad I am that children are now too protected, too busy, and suffering because of this deficit. An excellent read. (Summary by Anne McKibben, Chicago, Illinois)

The Green Belt Movement, by Wangari Maathai
An inspirational account of how Maathai's movement has led tree-planting campaigns in Kenya as well as educational campaigns on the importance of maintaining tree cover. Maathai, the 2004 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, shows what a small group of committed, dedicated people can do, even against overwhelming odds and repressive opposition. (Summary by Martha Phillips, Rio, Wisconsin)

The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan
Pollan invites us to think about what we are eating by walking us through four different meals — ranging from McDonald's fare to one made of ingredients Pollan gathered, hunted, or grew. Written in the author's usual rich and readable style, An Omnivore’s Dilemma is a window into what Wendell Berry meant by his maxim, "Eating is an agricultural act." (Summary by Phillip Mariola, Wooster, Ohio)

The Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinction, by David Quammen
Quammen follows the life and journeys of Alfred Wallace, a relatively unknown proponent of the theory of evolution. The author's tales of both his and Wallace's adventures are funny, heartfelt, and very informative, and Quammen also discusses in very thorough detail the importance of biodiversity conservation. No matter what your background is, you'll come away with new knowledge and a stronger appreciation for the natural world. (Summary by Yael Calhoun, Sandy, Utah)

 

This list and other resources are available via The Nature Conservancy’s “Great Places Network”. It’s a free monthly e-newsletter.

Purchasing any of these books through this link to Amazon.com will contribute (at no extra expense to you) to EcoVentures International, a DC-based non-profit working internationally in environmental microenterprise creation.

 

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