Future Of Life, The (Winner Of Natural World Book Prize 2002)

Description:
Our world is far richer than previously conceived, yet so ravaged by human activity that half its species could be gone by the end of the 21st century. These two contrasting themes - unexpected magnificence and underestimated peril - have originated since the 1980s. In this book, scientist E.O. Wilson describes exactly what treasures of the natural world we are about to lose forever and what we can do right now to save them. Destruction of natural habitats, the rampant spread of invasive species, pollution, uncontrolled population growth and overharvesting are the main threats to our natural world. Wilson explains how each of these elements works to undo the web of life that supports us, and why it is in our best interests to stop it. The book is both a moving description of the world's astonishing animals and plants, and a guidebook for the protection of all its species, including our own.

Review:
* 'There's a new Darwin. His name is Edward O. Wilson' - Tom Wolfe ** 'One of the clearest and most dedicated popularizers of science since T.H.Huxley' - TIME. ** 'A grippingly detailed account' - INDY ON SUNDAY ** 'By far the best argued and certainly the best- written book I have read on the topic' - DAILY MAIL ** 'The world's greatest living writer on science' - THE TIMES

Prizes:
Winner of Natural World Book Prize 2002.
Shortlisted for Natural World Book of the Year 2002.

Author Biography:
Born in Alabama in 1929, Edward O. Wilson has taught at Harvard since 1955 where he is currently Honorary Curator in Entomology of the Museum of Comparative Zoology.