Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Still relevant in a chemical dominated age, 13 Oct 2008
Silent Spring (Penguin Modern Classics)
Some people may think this book is no longer relevant in a world where DDT is mainly consigned to history, but, unless we learn from history we will make the mistakes over again.
This classic from the early 1960s explains how the various parts of nature are all affected when man tries to eliminate a pest with what is effectively a universal poison. Despite all of the evidence of the reducing efficacy of these poisons and the damage caused to the rest of the ecosystem, the spraying continued for years. The author provides numerous examples of the destruction caused by the use of these chemicals despite following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Whilst this book can be heavy going and occasionally a little disjointed in places it is worth reading if only to remind you that not all official advice is correct or impartial. We still have the potential to make similar mistakes today, only perhaps the threat is more concealed by the large variety of man made substances in use or added to our food and its packaging every day.

Hard Work, 28 Oct 2007
One can only applaud Carson's work and marvel at her determination to be heard and the research she did. This must have been a very shocking book at the time it was published, even now it is horrifying to look back and see what wholesale garbage the American public was being sold by those supposed to be looking after their health and welfare. It is however, a dated book which I found hard to read and difficult to sustain. I believe it was first written as a series of articles for journals and magazines, which makes sense, as each chapter is very much isolated from the others in terms of style and content, so there is little sense of flow or continuity, other than the continuation of the bad news Carson imparts. It tends to jerk from quite florid poetic writing with lyrically drawn pictures of nature which give way to horrific apocalyptic style visions into bunches of data and facts which are so dry they sit hard up against the narrative and make for difficult reading. It's still a book to recommend, particularly in today's climate and with the emphasis on green issues, but you really have to want to read it rather than just having an idle interest.

The book they tried to dismiss, 02 Sep 2006
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.

Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.

This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.

I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.

This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.


Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 06 Aug 2006
Reading some of the reviews here I can't help but feel they are reading 'Silent Spring' out of context. Being written in 1962 in will never be a current and up to date account of our pesticide use today. However I recommend it as a pioneering piece of literature, and a period piece that will stand the test of time.

Now that our bookshelves are stacked with Ecological titles, it is all the more important to re-read 'Silent Spring' and to judge for ourselves a book that actually did make a difference. For instance, this book greatly influenced my parents into becoming founder members of 'Friends of the Earth'.

What stands is an inspirational and at times poetic cry for ecological common sense. What has aged and dated stands to keep our contemporary rhetoric in check. Rachel Carson has a searching and inquisitive mind. Let this book be the document that she would want it to be - A step towards understanding our continued place in the world.

Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 14 Jul 2006
This book helped inspire the movement that had DDT banned worldwide including Africa. As a result millions of Africans died of mosquito-transmitted malaria. Yay, Environmentalism...

Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Still relevant in a chemical dominated age, 13 Oct 2008
Silent Spring (Penguin Modern Classics)
Some people may think this book is no longer relevant in a world where DDT is mainly consigned to history, but, unless we learn from history we will make the mistakes over again.
This classic from the early 1960s explains how the various parts of nature are all affected when man tries to eliminate a pest with what is effectively a universal poison. Despite all of the evidence of the reducing efficacy of these poisons and the damage caused to the rest of the ecosystem, the spraying continued for years. The author provides numerous examples of the destruction caused by the use of these chemicals despite following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Whilst this book can be heavy going and occasionally a little disjointed in places it is worth reading if only to remind you that not all official advice is correct or impartial. We still have the potential to make similar mistakes today, only perhaps the threat is more concealed by the large variety of man made substances in use or added to our food and its packaging every day.

Hard Work, 28 Oct 2007
One can only applaud Carson's work and marvel at her determination to be heard and the research she did. This must have been a very shocking book at the time it was published, even now it is horrifying to look back and see what wholesale garbage the American public was being sold by those supposed to be looking after their health and welfare. It is however, a dated book which I found hard to read and difficult to sustain. I believe it was first written as a series of articles for journals and magazines, which makes sense, as each chapter is very much isolated from the others in terms of style and content, so there is little sense of flow or continuity, other than the continuation of the bad news Carson imparts. It tends to jerk from quite florid poetic writing with lyrically drawn pictures of nature which give way to horrific apocalyptic style visions into bunches of data and facts which are so dry they sit hard up against the narrative and make for difficult reading. It's still a book to recommend, particularly in today's climate and with the emphasis on green issues, but you really have to want to read it rather than just having an idle interest.

The book they tried to dismiss, 02 Sep 2006
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.

Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.

This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.

I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.

This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.


Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 06 Aug 2006
Reading some of the reviews here I can't help but feel they are reading 'Silent Spring' out of context. Being written in 1962 in will never be a current and up to date account of our pesticide use today. However I recommend it as a pioneering piece of literature, and a period piece that will stand the test of time.

Now that our bookshelves are stacked with Ecological titles, it is all the more important to re-read 'Silent Spring' and to judge for ourselves a book that actually did make a difference. For instance, this book greatly influenced my parents into becoming founder members of 'Friends of the Earth'.

What stands is an inspirational and at times poetic cry for ecological common sense. What has aged and dated stands to keep our contemporary rhetoric in check. Rachel Carson has a searching and inquisitive mind. Let this book be the document that she would want it to be - A step towards understanding our continued place in the world.

Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 14 Jul 2006
This book helped inspire the movement that had DDT banned worldwide including Africa. As a result millions of Africans died of mosquito-transmitted malaria. Yay, Environmentalism...

Very informative book, 08 Aug 2007
This book is used as a study material at the Open University in Energy for a sustainable future course (T206).

The boook won't tell you how to fit a solar panel or a wind turbine on your roof nor how to connect your panels to the battery but it will tell you about various renewable energy sources and its pros and cons. The book looks at the energy needs on local, national and international scale, not on individuals scale. Each chapter also has a large list of references for further information.

There is a lot of calculations present so, you'll be able for example to calculate the area of solar panels required for your needs or prove that off shore wind turbines generate more electricity than on shore ones.

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in renewable energy.

Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Still relevant in a chemical dominated age, 13 Oct 2008
Silent Spring (Penguin Modern Classics)
Some people may think this book is no longer relevant in a world where DDT is mainly consigned to history, but, unless we learn from history we will make the mistakes over again.
This classic from the early 1960s explains how the various parts of nature are all affected when man tries to eliminate a pest with what is effectively a universal poison. Despite all of the evidence of the reducing efficacy of these poisons and the damage caused to the rest of the ecosystem, the spraying continued for years. The author provides numerous examples of the destruction caused by the use of these chemicals despite following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Whilst this book can be heavy going and occasionally a little disjointed in places it is worth reading if only to remind you that not all official advice is correct or impartial. We still have the potential to make similar mistakes today, only perhaps the threat is more concealed by the large variety of man made substances in use or added to our food and its packaging every day.

Hard Work, 28 Oct 2007
One can only applaud Carson's work and marvel at her determination to be heard and the research she did. This must have been a very shocking book at the time it was published, even now it is horrifying to look back and see what wholesale garbage the American public was being sold by those supposed to be looking after their health and welfare. It is however, a dated book which I found hard to read and difficult to sustain. I believe it was first written as a series of articles for journals and magazines, which makes sense, as each chapter is very much isolated from the others in terms of style and content, so there is little sense of flow or continuity, other than the continuation of the bad news Carson imparts. It tends to jerk from quite florid poetic writing with lyrically drawn pictures of nature which give way to horrific apocalyptic style visions into bunches of data and facts which are so dry they sit hard up against the narrative and make for difficult reading. It's still a book to recommend, particularly in today's climate and with the emphasis on green issues, but you really have to want to read it rather than just having an idle interest.

The book they tried to dismiss, 02 Sep 2006
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.

Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.

This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.

I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.

This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.


Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 06 Aug 2006
Reading some of the reviews here I can't help but feel they are reading 'Silent Spring' out of context. Being written in 1962 in will never be a current and up to date account of our pesticide use today. However I recommend it as a pioneering piece of literature, and a period piece that will stand the test of time.

Now that our bookshelves are stacked with Ecological titles, it is all the more important to re-read 'Silent Spring' and to judge for ourselves a book that actually did make a difference. For instance, this book greatly influenced my parents into becoming founder members of 'Friends of the Earth'.

What stands is an inspirational and at times poetic cry for ecological common sense. What has aged and dated stands to keep our contemporary rhetoric in check. Rachel Carson has a searching and inquisitive mind. Let this book be the document that she would want it to be - A step towards understanding our continued place in the world.

Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 14 Jul 2006
This book helped inspire the movement that had DDT banned worldwide including Africa. As a result millions of Africans died of mosquito-transmitted malaria. Yay, Environmentalism...

Very informative book, 08 Aug 2007
This book is used as a study material at the Open University in Energy for a sustainable future course (T206).

The boook won't tell you how to fit a solar panel or a wind turbine on your roof nor how to connect your panels to the battery but it will tell you about various renewable energy sources and its pros and cons. The book looks at the energy needs on local, national and international scale, not on individuals scale. Each chapter also has a large list of references for further information.

There is a lot of calculations present so, you'll be able for example to calculate the area of solar panels required for your needs or prove that off shore wind turbines generate more electricity than on shore ones.

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in renewable energy.

Not exactly a fun read, but....., 25 Sep 2007
Good, thorough accessible reference of energy systems, power systems etc - princples easy and cover generation technologies, energy systems, networks etc - good for (a) those entering the field, (b) BSc/MSc students (c) those working on the edges of the field or in related commercial areas, who want a reference to look things up or learn a little more. Little maths, well written, not for experts, nor for those seeking a totally fluffy read.

Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Still relevant in a chemical dominated age, 13 Oct 2008
Silent Spring (Penguin Modern Classics)
Some people may think this book is no longer relevant in a world where DDT is mainly consigned to history, but, unless we learn from history we will make the mistakes over again.
This classic from the early 1960s explains how the various parts of nature are all affected when man tries to eliminate a pest with what is effectively a universal poison. Despite all of the evidence of the reducing efficacy of these poisons and the damage caused to the rest of the ecosystem, the spraying continued for years. The author provides numerous examples of the destruction caused by the use of these chemicals despite following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Whilst this book can be heavy going and occasionally a little disjointed in places it is worth reading if only to remind you that not all official advice is correct or impartial. We still have the potential to make similar mistakes today, only perhaps the threat is more concealed by the large variety of man made substances in use or added to our food and its packaging every day.

Hard Work, 28 Oct 2007
One can only applaud Carson's work and marvel at her determination to be heard and the research she did. This must have been a very shocking book at the time it was published, even now it is horrifying to look back and see what wholesale garbage the American public was being sold by those supposed to be looking after their health and welfare. It is however, a dated book which I found hard to read and difficult to sustain. I believe it was first written as a series of articles for journals and magazines, which makes sense, as each chapter is very much isolated from the others in terms of style and content, so there is little sense of flow or continuity, other than the continuation of the bad news Carson imparts. It tends to jerk from quite florid poetic writing with lyrically drawn pictures of nature which give way to horrific apocalyptic style visions into bunches of data and facts which are so dry they sit hard up against the narrative and make for difficult reading. It's still a book to recommend, particularly in today's climate and with the emphasis on green issues, but you really have to want to read it rather than just having an idle interest.

The book they tried to dismiss, 02 Sep 2006
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.

Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.

This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.

I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.

This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.


Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 06 Aug 2006
Reading some of the reviews here I can't help but feel they are reading 'Silent Spring' out of context. Being written in 1962 in will never be a current and up to date account of our pesticide use today. However I recommend it as a pioneering piece of literature, and a period piece that will stand the test of time.

Now that our bookshelves are stacked with Ecological titles, it is all the more important to re-read 'Silent Spring' and to judge for ourselves a book that actually did make a difference. For instance, this book greatly influenced my parents into becoming founder members of 'Friends of the Earth'.

What stands is an inspirational and at times poetic cry for ecological common sense. What has aged and dated stands to keep our contemporary rhetoric in check. Rachel Carson has a searching and inquisitive mind. Let this book be the document that she would want it to be - A step towards understanding our continued place in the world.

Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 14 Jul 2006
This book helped inspire the movement that had DDT banned worldwide including Africa. As a result millions of Africans died of mosquito-transmitted malaria. Yay, Environmentalism...

Very informative book, 08 Aug 2007
This book is used as a study material at the Open University in Energy for a sustainable future course (T206).

The boook won't tell you how to fit a solar panel or a wind turbine on your roof nor how to connect your panels to the battery but it will tell you about various renewable energy sources and its pros and cons. The book looks at the energy needs on local, national and international scale, not on individuals scale. Each chapter also has a large list of references for further information.

There is a lot of calculations present so, you'll be able for example to calculate the area of solar panels required for your needs or prove that off shore wind turbines generate more electricity than on shore ones.

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in renewable energy.

Not exactly a fun read, but....., 25 Sep 2007
Good, thorough accessible reference of energy systems, power systems etc - princples easy and cover generation technologies, energy systems, networks etc - good for (a) those entering the field, (b) BSc/MSc students (c) those working on the edges of the field or in related commercial areas, who want a reference to look things up or learn a little more. Little maths, well written, not for experts, nor for those seeking a totally fluffy read.

A bold plan for a bold future., 24 Oct 2008
THe world faces what most see as insurmountable challenges, yet here is someone bold enough to say 'lets stop the denial, lets start solving the issues...' An extremely good synopsis of the principle threats to humankind and the planet, followed up by practical and bold solutions. If you give a jot about the future, read this book, lobby your government to have courage, take action yourself and well... pray, pray that we get this right. Highly recommended.

Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Still relevant in a chemical dominated age, 13 Oct 2008
Silent Spring (Penguin Modern Classics)
Some people may think this book is no longer relevant in a world where DDT is mainly consigned to history, but, unless we learn from history we will make the mistakes over again.
This classic from the early 1960s explains how the various parts of nature are all affected when man tries to eliminate a pest with what is effectively a universal poison. Despite all of the evidence of the reducing efficacy of these poisons and the damage caused to the rest of the ecosystem, the spraying continued for years. The author provides numerous examples of the destruction caused by the use of these chemicals despite following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Whilst this book can be heavy going and occasionally a little disjointed in places it is worth reading if only to remind you that not all official advice is correct or impartial. We still have the potential to make similar mistakes today, only perhaps the threat is more concealed by the large variety of man made substances in use or added to our food and its packaging every day.

Hard Work, 28 Oct 2007
One can only applaud Carson's work and marvel at her determination to be heard and the research she did. This must have been a very shocking book at the time it was published, even now it is horrifying to look back and see what wholesale garbage the American public was being sold by those supposed to be looking after their health and welfare. It is however, a dated book which I found hard to read and difficult to sustain. I believe it was first written as a series of articles for journals and magazines, which makes sense, as each chapter is very much isolated from the others in terms of style and content, so there is little sense of flow or continuity, other than the continuation of the bad news Carson imparts. It tends to jerk from quite florid poetic writing with lyrically drawn pictures of nature which give way to horrific apocalyptic style visions into bunches of data and facts which are so dry they sit hard up against the narrative and make for difficult reading. It's still a book to recommend, particularly in today's climate and with the emphasis on green issues, but you really have to want to read it rather than just having an idle interest.

The book they tried to dismiss, 02 Sep 2006
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.

Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.

This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.

I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.

This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.


Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 06 Aug 2006
Reading some of the reviews here I can't help but feel they are reading 'Silent Spring' out of context. Being written in 1962 in will never be a current and up to date account of our pesticide use today. However I recommend it as a pioneering piece of literature, and a period piece that will stand the test of time.

Now that our bookshelves are stacked with Ecological titles, it is all the more important to re-read 'Silent Spring' and to judge for ourselves a book that actually did make a difference. For instance, this book greatly influenced my parents into becoming founder members of 'Friends of the Earth'.

What stands is an inspirational and at times poetic cry for ecological common sense. What has aged and dated stands to keep our contemporary rhetoric in check. Rachel Carson has a searching and inquisitive mind. Let this book be the document that she would want it to be - A step towards understanding our continued place in the world.

Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 14 Jul 2006
This book helped inspire the movement that had DDT banned worldwide including Africa. As a result millions of Africans died of mosquito-transmitted malaria. Yay, Environmentalism...

Very informative book, 08 Aug 2007
This book is used as a study material at the Open University in Energy for a sustainable future course (T206).

The boook won't tell you how to fit a solar panel or a wind turbine on your roof nor how to connect your panels to the battery but it will tell you about various renewable energy sources and its pros and cons. The book looks at the energy needs on local, national and international scale, not on individuals scale. Each chapter also has a large list of references for further information.

There is a lot of calculations present so, you'll be able for example to calculate the area of solar panels required for your needs or prove that off shore wind turbines generate more electricity than on shore ones.

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in renewable energy.

Not exactly a fun read, but....., 25 Sep 2007
Good, thorough accessible reference of energy systems, power systems etc - princples easy and cover generation technologies, energy systems, networks etc - good for (a) those entering the field, (b) BSc/MSc students (c) those working on the edges of the field or in related commercial areas, who want a reference to look things up or learn a little more. Little maths, well written, not for experts, nor for those seeking a totally fluffy read.

A bold plan for a bold future., 24 Oct 2008
THe world faces what most see as insurmountable challenges, yet here is someone bold enough to say 'lets stop the denial, lets start solving the issues...' An extremely good synopsis of the principle threats to humankind and the planet, followed up by practical and bold solutions. If you give a jot about the future, read this book, lobby your government to have courage, take action yourself and well... pray, pray that we get this right. Highly recommended.

A great short history of climate change, 31 Aug 2008
A very readable primer aimed at the general public on what is now known about past climate change and how scientists have determined this. In covering this Turney introduces us to many of the pivotal figures that over the centuries have contributed to our knowledge and understanding. Ice Mud and Blood covers the history of the science as well as the science of climate change. The book covers `snowball earth', why earth cooled since the time of the dinosaurs, the discovery of ice ages and the mechanisms that caused them, changes to earths' climate (when the Sahara was green, Medieval Warm Period, Little Ice Age etc) since the end of the last ice age up until present; the roles played by the oceans, ocean currents, volcanoes, tectonic plates, astronomical (Milankovitch) cycles and much else besides. Importantly the author also describes in an easy to understand way how scientists arrived at their findings and conclusions. Turney also explains the role of CO2 and why the current scientific consensus is that higher levels of greenhouse gases will raise earth's temperature with corresponding shifts to climate and weather. One lesson from human history is that we should be asking the question "will climate change mean things get wetter or dryer where I live?" Extremes of climate can have profound effects on human society's ability to support itself. This book is worth reading alongside Brian Fagan, William Boroughs and other writers in this field.

Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Still relevant in a chemical dominated age, 13 Oct 2008
Silent Spring (Penguin Modern Classics)
Some people may think this book is no longer relevant in a world where DDT is mainly consigned to history, but, unless we learn from history we will make the mistakes over again.
This classic from the early 1960s explains how the various parts of nature are all affected when man tries to eliminate a pest with what is effectively a universal poison. Despite all of the evidence of the reducing efficacy of these poisons and the damage caused to the rest of the ecosystem, the spraying continued for years. The author provides numerous examples of the destruction caused by the use of these chemicals despite following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Whilst this book can be heavy going and occasionally a little disjointed in places it is worth reading if only to remind you that not all official advice is correct or impartial. We still have the potential to make similar mistakes today, only perhaps the threat is more concealed by the large variety of man made substances in use or added to our food and its packaging every day.

Hard Work, 28 Oct 2007
One can only applaud Carson's work and marvel at her determination to be heard and the research she did. This must have been a very shocking book at the time it was published, even now it is horrifying to look back and see what wholesale garbage the American public was being sold by those supposed to be looking after their health and welfare. It is however, a dated book which I found hard to read and difficult to sustain. I believe it was first written as a series of articles for journals and magazines, which makes sense, as each chapter is very much isolated from the others in terms of style and content, so there is little sense of flow or continuity, other than the continuation of the bad news Carson imparts. It tends to jerk from quite florid poetic writing with lyrically drawn pictures of nature which give way to horrific apocalyptic style visions into bunches of data and facts which are so dry they sit hard up against the narrative and make for difficult reading. It's still a book to recommend, particularly in today's climate and with the emphasis on green issues, but you really have to want to read it rather than just having an idle interest.

The book they tried to dismiss, 02 Sep 2006
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.

Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.

This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.

I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.

This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.


Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 06 Aug 2006
Reading some of the reviews here I can't help but feel they are reading 'Silent Spring' out of context. Being written in 1962 in will never be a current and up to date account of our pesticide use today. However I recommend it as a pioneering piece of literature, and a period piece that will stand the test of time.

Now that our bookshelves are stacked with Ecological titles, it is all the more important to re-read 'Silent Spring' and to judge for ourselves a book that actually did make a difference. For instance, this book greatly influenced my parents into becoming founder members of 'Friends of the Earth'.

What stands is an inspirational and at times poetic cry for ecological common sense. What has aged and dated stands to keep our contemporary rhetoric in check. Rachel Carson has a searching and inquisitive mind. Let this book be the document that she would want it to be - A step towards understanding our continued place in the world.

Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 14 Jul 2006
This book helped inspire the movement that had DDT banned worldwide including Africa. As a result millions of Africans died of mosquito-transmitted malaria. Yay, Environmentalism...

Very informative book, 08 Aug 2007
This book is used as a study material at the Open University in Energy for a sustainable future course (T206).

The boook won't tell you how to fit a solar panel or a wind turbine on your roof nor how to connect your panels to the battery but it will tell you about various renewable energy sources and its pros and cons. The book looks at the energy needs on local, national and international scale, not on individuals scale. Each chapter also has a large list of references for further information.

There is a lot of calculations present so, you'll be able for example to calculate the area of solar panels required for your needs or prove that off shore wind turbines generate more electricity than on shore ones.

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in renewable energy.

Not exactly a fun read, but....., 25 Sep 2007
Good, thorough accessible reference of energy systems, power systems etc - princples easy and cover generation technologies, energy systems, networks etc - good for (a) those entering the field, (b) BSc/MSc students (c) those working on the edges of the field or in related commercial areas, who want a reference to look things up or learn a little more. Little maths, well written, not for experts, nor for those seeking a totally fluffy read.

A bold plan for a bold future., 24 Oct 2008
THe world faces what most see as insurmountable challenges, yet here is someone bold enough to say 'lets stop the denial, lets start solving the issues...' An extremely good synopsis of the principle threats to humankind and the planet, followed up by practical and bold solutions. If you give a jot about the future, read this book, lobby your government to have courage, take action yourself and well... pray, pray that we get this right. Highly recommended.

A great short history of climate change, 31 Aug 2008
A very readable primer aimed at the general public on what is now known about past climate change and how scientists have determined this. In covering this Turney introduces us to many of the pivotal figures that over the centuries have contributed to our knowledge and understanding. Ice Mud and Blood covers the history of the science as well as the science of climate change. The book covers `snowball earth', why earth cooled since the time of the dinosaurs, the discovery of ice ages and the mechanisms that caused them, changes to earths' climate (when the Sahara was green, Medieval Warm Period, Little Ice Age etc) since the end of the last ice age up until present; the roles played by the oceans, ocean currents, volcanoes, tectonic plates, astronomical (Milankovitch) cycles and much else besides. Importantly the author also describes in an easy to understand way how scientists arrived at their findings and conclusions. Turney also explains the role of CO2 and why the current scientific consensus is that higher levels of greenhouse gases will raise earth's temperature with corresponding shifts to climate and weather. One lesson from human history is that we should be asking the question "will climate change mean things get wetter or dryer where I live?" Extremes of climate can have profound effects on human society's ability to support itself. This book is worth reading alongside Brian Fagan, William Boroughs and other writers in this field.

A fascinating look at the dangers and opportunities of the 21st century, 12 Oct 2008
An utterly fascinating book... the best thing I've read in years.

I've been developing a strong interest in futurology, and this book is packed full of predictions, scenarios and warnings for what lies ahead in the 21st century. Practically everything you can think of is covered here - nanotechnology, genetics, climate change, overpopulation, poverty, disease, global trade, demographics, war, terrorism, computers and the Internet, AI, the exploration of Mars, transhumanism and mind uploading.

Martin writes in a clear, logical and persuasive style that is very easy to follow. This book is nearly 600 pages long, but I finished it within a couple of weeks.

Some of the predictions he describes are terrifying - it's clear that we face enormous challenges in the years ahead, and there's a very real chance that civilisation won't survive beyond the 21st century. We desperately need to learn how to manage our planet, its resources, and our relationships with the world's poorest countries.

One thing we can be sure about, is that we'll have to endure LOTS of changes over the next few decades.

Martin is an optimist though, and far from doom-mongering, he shows the many spectacular ways in which humanity could be transformed by the emerging technologies. But only if we learn to work together, control our resources, and minimise our impact on the natural world.

I would give this book 10/10, it's a real eye-opener and needs to be read by everyone... especially our politicians!

To quote Sarah Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution: "On rare occasions, a special book introduces a vital new idea into the public consciousness. This is one of those books."

Big disappointment - arrogant and naive., 10 Jan 2008
This is not a book for the scientifically aware free thinker. If you don't want a neo-Malthusian lecture about whatever doom is in store for the world then miss out the first 200 pages and a good proportion of the rest of this nonsense as well. From this, it comes as no surprise to learn that Mr. Martin is a "glowarmist" (global warming alarmist), although it is infuriating to then be subjected to the associated Litany.

But perhaps we get what we pay for. The hub of this book is a prediction of life to come in the present Century. Have any predictions of 20th Century life written in the early 1900s been anything else but amusing novels in the light of present knowledge? I suspect that this one will follow the trend of its predecessors.

There are some interesting points, notably about IT developments to come, nuclear power, and the discussion of property rights in the 3rd World, but most of the content is naive and arrogant, not to mention inaccurate. For example, we learn that viruses are susceptible to antibiotics, ethylene is a hormone, and how the Zulu defeated the British army.

In any case, the reader will become fed up of dredging through the organic, sustainable, Malthusian offerings and the interminable mention of "Gaia", way before they get to the good bits.

Disappointing - needs a good editor, 05 Jan 2008
I really wanted to like this book, but I found it a big disappointment.

Yes, its heart is in the right place: it provides plenty of reasons why our current way of life is dangerously unsustainable, and it has a pleasing open mind towards some of the more radical options for solutions (as well as ideas such as rejuvenation medicine, the Singularity, transhumanism, and life extension). I also learned something new from nearly every chapter (though there's a lot of claims that lack sufficient references.)

However, there's a great deal of repetition and overlap between the chapters. The book could easily have been chopped down to half its size without losing value. Also, there's often a grand naivety in the hopes pronounced for the future.

For probably the best book on analysing the challenges of the 21st century, I recommend instead "The upside of down" by Thomas Homer Dixon.

Very good but too repetitive., 13 Nov 2007
Great, informative, enlightening about where we are and are potentially heading as a species on this earth.

Definitely forgot to edit it though!

An excellent introduction to the world., 12 Sep 2007
I found this book to be compelling, extremely interesting and motivating. It is simply a brief, non-political overview of our world, and some entirely forseeable possibilities for our future.

If you do not care about your descendants, if you are uninterested by the world and if you do not wish to learn about yourself and give meaning to your life, then this book is not for you.

In response to the review posted by 'Clement Wether': You suggest that computing technology is outside of Martin's area of expertise. A thorough reading of Page 2, Paragraph 4 of the Preface will reveal the following quote: "...I joined IBM and was trained to design computer systems...' as well as several other pieces of information that would prove your suggestion false.

Anyone interested in the world, who hasn't already made their mind up about it should take a close look at this book.

Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Still relevant in a chemical dominated age, 13 Oct 2008
Silent Spring (Penguin Modern Classics)
Some people may think this book is no longer relevant in a world where DDT is mainly consigned to history, but, unless we learn from history we will make the mistakes over again.
This classic from the early 1960s explains how the various parts of nature are all affected when man tries to eliminate a pest with what is effectively a universal poison. Despite all of the evidence of the reducing efficacy of these poisons and the damage caused to the rest of the ecosystem, the spraying continued for years. The author provides numerous examples of the destruction caused by the use of these chemicals despite following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Whilst this book can be heavy going and occasionally a little disjointed in places it is worth reading if only to remind you that not all official advice is correct or impartial. We still have the potential to make similar mistakes today, only perhaps the threat is more concealed by the large variety of man made substances in use or added to our food and its packaging every day.

Hard Work, 28 Oct 2007
One can only applaud Carson's work and marvel at her determination to be heard and the research she did. This must have been a very shocking book at the time it was published, even now it is horrifying to look back and see what wholesale garbage the American public was being sold by those supposed to be looking after their health and welfare. It is however, a dated book which I found hard to read and difficult to sustain. I believe it was first written as a series of articles for journals and magazines, which makes sense, as each chapter is very much isolated from the others in terms of style and content, so there is little sense of flow or continuity, other than the continuation of the bad news Carson imparts. It tends to jerk from quite florid poetic writing with lyrically drawn pictures of nature which give way to horrific apocalyptic style visions into bunches of data and facts which are so dry they sit hard up against the narrative and make for difficult reading. It's still a book to recommend, particularly in today's climate and with the emphasis on green issues, but you really have to want to read it rather than just having an idle interest.

The book they tried to dismiss, 02 Sep 2006
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.

Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.

This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.

I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.

This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.


Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 06 Aug 2006
Reading some of the reviews here I can't help but feel they are reading 'Silent Spring' out of context. Being written in 1962 in will never be a current and up to date account of our pesticide use today. However I recommend it as a pioneering piece of literature, and a period piece that will stand the test of time.

Now that our bookshelves are stacked with Ecological titles, it is all the more important to re-read 'Silent Spring' and to judge for ourselves a book that actually did make a difference. For instance, this book greatly influenced my parents into becoming founder members of 'Friends of the Earth'.

What stands is an inspirational and at times poetic cry for ecological common sense. What has aged and dated stands to keep our contemporary rhetoric in check. Rachel Carson has a searching and inquisitive mind. Let this book be the document that she would want it to be - A step towards understanding our continued place in the world.

Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 14 Jul 2006
This book helped inspire the movement that had DDT banned worldwide including Africa. As a result millions of Africans died of mosquito-transmitted malaria. Yay, Environmentalism...

Very informative book, 08 Aug 2007
This book is used as a study material at the Open University in Energy for a sustainable future course (T206).

The boook won't tell you how to fit a solar panel or a wind turbine on your roof nor how to connect your panels to the battery but it will tell you about various renewable energy sources and its pros and cons. The book looks at the energy needs on local, national and international scale, not on individuals scale. Each chapter also has a large list of references for further information.

There is a lot of calculations present so, you'll be able for example to calculate the area of solar panels required for your needs or prove that off shore wind turbines generate more electricity than on shore ones.

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in renewable energy.

Not exactly a fun read, but....., 25 Sep 2007
Good, thorough accessible reference of energy systems, power systems etc - princples easy and cover generation technologies, energy systems, networks etc - good for (a) those entering the field, (b) BSc/MSc students (c) those working on the edges of the field or in related commercial areas, who want a reference to look things up or learn a little more. Little maths, well written, not for experts, nor for those seeking a totally fluffy read.

A bold plan for a bold future., 24 Oct 2008
THe world faces what most see as insurmountable challenges, yet here is someone bold enough to say 'lets stop the denial, lets start solving the issues...' An extremely good synopsis of the principle threats to humankind and the planet, followed up by practical and bold solutions. If you give a jot about the future, read this book, lobby your government to have courage, take action yourself and well... pray, pray that we get this right. Highly recommended.

A great short history of climate change, 31 Aug 2008
A very readable primer aimed at the general public on what is now known about past climate change and how scientists have determined this. In covering this Turney introduces us to many of the pivotal figures that over the centuries have contributed to our knowledge and understanding. Ice Mud and Blood covers the history of the science as well as the science of climate change. The book covers `snowball earth', why earth cooled since the time of the dinosaurs, the discovery of ice ages and the mechanisms that caused them, changes to earths' climate (when the Sahara was green, Medieval Warm Period, Little Ice Age etc) since the end of the last ice age up until present; the roles played by the oceans, ocean currents, volcanoes, tectonic plates, astronomical (Milankovitch) cycles and much else besides. Importantly the author also describes in an easy to understand way how scientists arrived at their findings and conclusions. Turney also explains the role of CO2 and why the current scientific consensus is that higher levels of greenhouse gases will raise earth's temperature with corresponding shifts to climate and weather. One lesson from human history is that we should be asking the question "will climate change mean things get wetter or dryer where I live?" Extremes of climate can have profound effects on human society's ability to support itself. This book is worth reading alongside Brian Fagan, William Boroughs and other writers in this field.

A fascinating look at the dangers and opportunities of the 21st century, 12 Oct 2008
An utterly fascinating book... the best thing I've read in years.

I've been developing a strong interest in futurology, and this book is packed full of predictions, scenarios and warnings for what lies ahead in the 21st century. Practically everything you can think of is covered here - nanotechnology, genetics, climate change, overpopulation, poverty, disease, global trade, demographics, war, terrorism, computers and the Internet, AI, the exploration of Mars, transhumanism and mind uploading.

Martin writes in a clear, logical and persuasive style that is very easy to follow. This book is nearly 600 pages long, but I finished it within a couple of weeks.

Some of the predictions he describes are terrifying - it's clear that we face enormous challenges in the years ahead, and there's a very real chance that civilisation won't survive beyond the 21st century. We desperately need to learn how to manage our planet, its resources, and our relationships with the world's poorest countries.

One thing we can be sure about, is that we'll have to endure LOTS of changes over the next few decades.

Martin is an optimist though, and far from doom-mongering, he shows the many spectacular ways in which humanity could be transformed by the emerging technologies. But only if we learn to work together, control our resources, and minimise our impact on the natural world.

I would give this book 10/10, it's a real eye-opener and needs to be read by everyone... especially our politicians!

To quote Sarah Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution: "On rare occasions, a special book introduces a vital new idea into the public consciousness. This is one of those books."

Big disappointment - arrogant and naive., 10 Jan 2008
This is not a book for the scientifically aware free thinker. If you don't want a neo-Malthusian lecture about whatever doom is in store for the world then miss out the first 200 pages and a good proportion of the rest of this nonsense as well. From this, it comes as no surprise to learn that Mr. Martin is a "glowarmist" (global warming alarmist), although it is infuriating to then be subjected to the associated Litany.

But perhaps we get what we pay for. The hub of this book is a prediction of life to come in the present Century. Have any predictions of 20th Century life written in the early 1900s been anything else but amusing novels in the light of present knowledge? I suspect that this one will follow the trend of its predecessors.

There are some interesting points, notably about IT developments to come, nuclear power, and the discussion of property rights in the 3rd World, but most of the content is naive and arrogant, not to mention inaccurate. For example, we learn that viruses are susceptible to antibiotics, ethylene is a hormone, and how the Zulu defeated the British army.

In any case, the reader will become fed up of dredging through the organic, sustainable, Malthusian offerings and the interminable mention of "Gaia", way before they get to the good bits.

Disappointing - needs a good editor, 05 Jan 2008
I really wanted to like this book, but I found it a big disappointment.

Yes, its heart is in the right place: it provides plenty of reasons why our current way of life is dangerously unsustainable, and it has a pleasing open mind towards some of the more radical options for solutions (as well as ideas such as rejuvenation medicine, the Singularity, transhumanism, and life extension). I also learned something new from nearly every chapter (though there's a lot of claims that lack sufficient references.)

However, there's a great deal of repetition and overlap between the chapters. The book could easily have been chopped down to half its size without losing value. Also, there's often a grand naivety in the hopes pronounced for the future.

For probably the best book on analysing the challenges of the 21st century, I recommend instead "The upside of down" by Thomas Homer Dixon.

Very good but too repetitive., 13 Nov 2007
Great, informative, enlightening about where we are and are potentially heading as a species on this earth.

Definitely forgot to edit it though!

An excellent introduction to the world., 12 Sep 2007
I found this book to be compelling, extremely interesting and motivating. It is simply a brief, non-political overview of our world, and some entirely forseeable possibilities for our future.

If you do not care about your descendants, if you are uninterested by the world and if you do not wish to learn about yourself and give meaning to your life, then this book is not for you.

In response to the review posted by 'Clement Wether': You suggest that computing technology is outside of Martin's area of expertise. A thorough reading of Page 2, Paragraph 4 of the Preface will reveal the following quote: "...I joined IBM and was trained to design computer systems...' as well as several other pieces of information that would prove your suggestion false.

Anyone interested in the world, who hasn't already made their mind up about it should take a close look at this book.

Practically speaking..., 20 Oct 2003
Architecture students often are accused of being too theoretical, this book will go some way to remedy this accusation. The book is not an 'Environmental'(ie green) guide book as such, but perhaps more of a rough (but in depth guide) to the inner workings of our buildings.

The book begins, as should all educational process, with the basics of physics relationship to building services, eg the comfortable environment is discussed in its relationship to the global environment. Subjects such as moisture, air quality and daylighting are covered, and along with heating and sound cover the mainstay of environmental services education. These topics are then further explored, and explained, with uncomplicated equations to allow your own research, analysis and evaluation. This is where the real learning comes into play, to see what effect changing window sizes, orientation of insulation will have on the environmental quality of your scheme. This book provides the know how. It is invaluable if you wish to question how your schemes will perform, are interested in the reasons why and are curious to know how to improve matters...
Following on from this are individual sections devoted to utility services, covering general standards of water supply, sanitation, pipes, drainage, sewage, refuse collection/ storage, and electricity and telecommunications. Again a practical knowledge base is provided, on which further knowledge and skills can be built.
Overall this book has been of great help, and a valuable source of information with regards to building elements and materials.
Recommended if you are at all curious about the buildings impact on its inhabitants or the global environment...
The book lost one star simply because of the price... however it is an invaluable reference guide.

Great!, 31 Oct 2008
Brought this for alot more than for sale here, from high street store. Grrrr! Anyway got to say Bruce is a legend and its a perfect crimbo present!

Bravo Bruce, 29 Oct 2008
I dont usually buy books that accompany a TV series or film, thinking of them as quite frivolous marketing ploys, however I was given this as a gift and have definitely reassessed my opinion.

The book is an insightful accompaniment to the show, delving deeper into the characters that we meet only briefly on screen.The photography provides candid shots of both Bruce,the landscape and the indigenous tribes he meets.

I would highly reccomend this book for anyone who has an interest in the enviroment and what is happening in the Amazon. It is also a great Christmas present for any fans of the charming Mr Parry!

Food for thought, 24 Oct 2008
This, perhaps unsurprisingly for followers of the series is an intelligent and thought provoking counterpart to the BBC series and another addition to the canon of admirable work Parry is undertaking. This is beautifully produced full of sumptuous photos but it does not shirk the harder issues tackled in the show. He has a knack of managing to raise awareness of all important issues without patronising or preaching. Buy. And buy Bruce's wonderful charity album too as well - might go some way to helping the human casualties of amazon exploitation - tribes.

Bruce rocks!, 10 Oct 2008
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).

Still relevant in a chemical dominated age, 13 Oct 2008
Silent Spring (Penguin Modern Classics)
Some people may think this book is no longer relevant in a world where DDT is mainly consigned to history, but, unless we learn from history we will make the mistakes over again.
This classic from the early 1960s explains how the various parts of nature are all affected when man tries to eliminate a pest with what is effectively a universal poison. Despite all of the evidence of the reducing efficacy of these poisons and the damage caused to the rest of the ecosystem, the spraying continued for years. The author provides numerous examples of the destruction caused by the use of these chemicals despite following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Whilst this book can be heavy going and occasionally a little disjointed in places it is worth reading if only to remind you that not all official advice is correct or impartial. We still have the potential to make similar mistakes today, only perhaps the threat is more concealed by the large variety of man made substances in use or added to our food and its packaging every day.

Hard Work, 28 Oct 2007
One can only applaud Carson's work and marvel at her determination to be heard and the research she did. This must have been a very shocking book at the time it was published, even now it is horrifying to look back and see what wholesale garbage the American public was being sold by those supposed to be looking after their health and welfare. It is however, a dated book which I found hard to read and difficult to sustain. I believe it was first written as a series of articles for journals and magazines, which makes sense, as each chapter is very much isolated from the others in terms of style and content, so there is little sense of flow or continuity, other than the continuation of the bad news Carson imparts. It tends to jerk from quite florid poetic writing with lyrically drawn pictures of nature which give way to horrific apocalyptic style visions into bunches of data and facts which are so dry they sit hard up against the narrative and make for difficult reading. It's still a book to recommend, particularly in today's climate and with the emphasis on green issues, but you really have to want to read it rather than just having an idle interest.

The book they tried to dismiss, 02 Sep 2006
In "Any Questions" on BBC Radio 4 a panel of politicians were quizzed in turn as to one person they thought would be regarded as an important person in the future from the 20th century who improved the lot of us humans. Of about four panelists one said Nelson Mandela. Important though Mandela is, none of the other panelists had anyone else to suggest so they also ended up saying Nelson Mandela. I would have mentioned Rachel Carson representing as yet an unsung heroine - the pioneer of the "Deep Ecology" movement.

Unfortunately a lot of what she had to say is still ignored by mainstream politicians though enough has trickled through to create a stream of people who think in the context of concern for all life on Earth rather than how best one group of us can dominate and manipulate our human and environmental resources at irreplaceable cost to life as we know it.

This is the book that started it all - showing us that science and technology unrestrained were not the solution to all our problems. The EPA at least owes its very existence to Carson.

I salute Carson and her book as a lighthouse that guided our thinking from the cliffs of short sighted destructiveness. Long may the beacon prevail.

This is an important book. Perhaps dated, Carson's voice is not shrill but reasoned and strident. A classic worth sharing and upgrading.


Mighty oaks from small acorns grow, 06 Aug 2006
Reading some of the reviews here I can't help but feel they are reading 'Silent Spring' out of context. Being written in 1962 in will never be a current and up to date account of our pesticide use today. However I recommend it as a pioneering piece of literature, and a period piece that will stand the test of time.

Now that our bookshelves are stacked with Ecological titles, it is all the more important to re-read 'Silent Spring' and to judge for ourselves a book that actually did make a difference. For instance, this book greatly influenced my parents into becoming founder members of 'Friends of the Ea