Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues, Expanded

by Thomas A. Easton

Taking Sides volumes present current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Each issue is thoughtfully framed with an issue summary, an issue introduction, and a postscript or challenge questions. Taking Sides readers feature an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites. An online Instructor's Resource Guide with testing material is available for each volume. "Using Taking Sides in the Classroom" is also an excellent instructor resource. Visit www.mhhe.com/takingsides for more details.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Textbooks, Environment, Politics

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Thomas A. Easton is a teacher and well-known science fiction critic and author. He retired as a professor from Thomas College of Maine in 2014 and now teaches part-time at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA.

Easton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Colby College and a doctorate in theoretical biology from the University of Chicago.

He wrote the book review column in SF magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact from 1979 - 2009. He appears frequently at Boston-area science fiction conventions.

Reviews

[Wylie Hughs]

I learned some historical context about environmental issues and different perspectives on solutions.

But overall, the writing is absolute garbage— save for a few compelling stories. It was grueling to get through some of these pieces. I learned that a lot of people who speak at congressional hearings write in academese, corporatese, and legalese that is more muddled than I thought possible. I already figured that was the case but being exposed to such large doses of it made me realize how bad it can be. I think a lot of people in congress have no idea what's going on in these hearings.

I only finished this book because by the time I realized it was garbage, I was already halfway through and my pride wouldn't let me leave this book unfinished on Goodreads lmao

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an excellent addition to my environmental ethics course. I have the most recent edition and I appreciate Easton's diligence in making sure he chooses current articles relevant to each environmental issue. Plus is "issue summaries" give you a nice introduction the the scholarship available on the subject. After you read the two "sides," a concluding section called, "Exploring the Issue" gives critical thinking questions that encourage reflection as well as discussing potential common ground between the opposing sides. In addition, additional resources are listed along with credible internet references. I used some of the test bank (and curriculum) that is offered to create quizzes and the students formed groups and presented on different issues. They summarized the two peer-reviewed articles supplied by Taking Sides, then used credible sources from the internet recommendations. I found this to be a solid textbook and I will use it again.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues, Expanded was purchased as a supplemental text for a college course. It helped me to write the required papers, as a reference. The instructor assigned several parts of the text for reading assignments to give a different perspective of topics under discussion in the class. I found the articles added interest to the class subject and gave a depth of knowledge that the regular text did not completely cover as we discussed issues in the environment that were thought provoking. I was glad the instructor added this additional supplemental text to our required course reading for the new viewpoint of the author.

[Anne]

I love these books! Always interesting points of view.

[Shalini Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read...

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

senior seminar class

[Mooda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I could help to solve currently environmental problems facing in my country