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The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History,
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Deep
The initial chapters that establish our current knowledge through past events, and historical works and discoveries are sourced either in footnotes or through visits to museums and sites. Later chapters have interviews with people who have either published findings (such as the concept of the K-T extinction, formation of the anthropocene extinction idea) or who are in the middle of the research (at the Great Barrier Reef, in the forests of Brazil). These people share with us their views on what is happening and what will happen in the near future, so even if something described can't be labelled as a fact, it sounds factual and everything seems to be an educated conclusion.
Stacey
Most claims in the beginning of the book are well documented. Toward the end, most of the claims are educated guesses. It's an eye-opener for sure!
Justin
How factual? Aside from the hundreds of facts presented in each chapter, there are roughly 30 pages of single spaced notes and bibliography at the end of the book. Each reference in the cited works probably leads to a 20 page peer-reviewed article or a several hundred page book synthesizing the research. This represents the solid foundation of facts that the author used to lay out her narrative. So factual, yes.
matthew harding
It's well-documented.
Martin Ridgway
In my opinion, very factual. It's very closely argued with real-world case studies. If you WANT an excuse to ignore the big picture, then nit-pick away at the odd detail and employ the classic misunderstanding of the word "theory" in the scientific context.
Otherwise be afraid - be very afraid.
Otherwise be afraid - be very afraid.
Nate
My takeaway from The Sixth Extinction is that the historical aspect is very theoretical. Lots of well documented and researched theories (if you want to call those facts), but also lots of contradicting theories. Who knows what future research might uncover.
The Sixth Extinction also presents a lot of currently observable changes in the environment and the affects these changes are having on various species. Those aspects of the book felt more factual to me.
The Sixth Extinction also presents a lot of currently observable changes in the environment and the affects these changes are having on various species. Those aspects of the book felt more factual to me.
Greg
I think it's important to question any single source of information, Julie. I'm about to read "Sixth Extinction" but I'll keep in mind that for me, further research and thought will be necessary before I believe this book, or anything else, is fact.
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