From the Bookshelf of Science and Inquiry…

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History

Elizabeth Kolbert

Start date: September 1, 2014

Finish date: September 30, 2014

Discussion: Book Club 2014

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Book Club 2014

March 2014 - Epigenetics Revolution
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September 2014 - Sixth Extinction
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What Members Thought

Aug 29, 2014 David Rubenstein rated it really liked it

Shelves: biology, geology, archaeology, ecology, science, natural-history

This book is a very engaging examination of extinctions of animal species through the ages. Elizabeth Kolbert adds a wonderfully personal touch to many of the chapters, as she describes her visits to the habitats where various species are dying out. She accompanies scientists and ecologists as they delve into extinctions, past and present. Some biologists are gathering up endangered species, putting them into special reserves and zoo-like habitats where they might be able to survive.

There is no This book is a very engaging examination of extinctions of animal species through the ages. Elizabeth Kolbert adds a wonderfully personal touch to many of the chapters, as she describes her visits to the habitats where various species are dying out. She accompanies scientists and ecologists as they delve into extinctions, past and present. Some biologists are gathering up endangered species, putting them into special reserves and zoo-like habitats where they might be able to survive.

There is no single cause for the various massive extinctions. Some were due to sudden changes in climate, some due to catastrophes like meteors, some due to disease, and some are due to humans. For example, the mastodon's extinction coincides with the spread of humans. The original penguin--the auk--became extinct due to a combination of factors, including volcanoes and human hunters in the nineteenth century. Coral reefs are dying off because of increasing acidification; much of the excessive carbon dioxide produced by humans is absorbed by the ocean, where the ph level is become less base.

Homo sapiens lived at the same time as other hominid species, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. Visually, Neanderthals were not so different from us. If you gave one a shave and a suit, a Neanderthal might look like this:

So, the question comes up why did these other nearly-human species go extinct, while humans survived? The question is especially appropriate, as there is DNA evidence that humans interbred with some of these other species. The answer is very possibly that humans killed them off.

What makes this book so special, is Kolbert's writing style. She makes me feel like I'm "right there" with the biologists and ecologists. She personally visits the habitats, and goes into some depth talking with the specialists. Each chapter becomes an adventure. Sometimes the subject matter becomes depressing, as it is about the dying (or killing) off of species. But the writing is so engaging, that I highly recommend this book!

...more

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Jan 17, 2015 Susanna - Censored by GoodReads rated it really liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars. Let down by the last two chapters, one a bit ranty, the other arguing based on what seems to me to be rather insufficient evidence (re: extinction of the neanderthals; it could have been modern humans, but it also could have been climate change or something else entirely - we simply don't know enough).

The chapters on extinctions in progress, however, are quite good. ...more

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Feb 27, 2014 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Un-put-downable (is that a word). And the main reason it's that way is the Kolbert just tells the story, without sugar-coating anything or wrapping everything up with an "it's all going to be ok!" chapter - which isn't to say that it isn't written without moments of humor or grace, but that it tells the truth.

It is fascinating to look back at the previous five major extinctions and make the comparisons between those and the one currently occurring, the main difference being that the other were c ...more

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Mar 16, 2014 Mary rated it liked it

Shelves: science

Suci, a Sumatran Rhino, is one of the animals you will meet in this book. Sumatran Rhinos are almost extinct. Suci was one of these rhinos who was born in a zoo and was part of a breeding program to try to rebuild the species. Suci died last week.

The point of Kolberts' book the Sixth Extinction is to draw attention to what is happening now all over the world. We are in the period of the Sixth Extinction only we are too preoccupied with putting gas in our cars and tossing Styrofoam in the trash ...more

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Mar 25, 2017 bup rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, 2017, science, our-dying-planet

We are so screwed.

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May 22, 2015 Kathleen (itpdx) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, lwv-book-group

Kolbert does an excellent job explaining what is happening to our fellow species on this planet as the result of one "weedy species", us. I very much liked the science history that she wove in. I had wondered when we found and recognized fossils and what the scientists of the day made of them. The book is easy to read and Kolbert tells her experiences looking over the shoulders of scientists as she discusses their findings and what they mean. From the Brazilan rain forest to underwater vents to ...more

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