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anitaw16's review
4.0
This is one of the most comprehensive and informative books I've read about sustainability. I didn't always agree with the conclusions, but the authors gave me plenty to think about and explore further.
globalreads's review
4.0
Overall, "The Post Carbon Reader" is a great primer on sustainability. Organized as an anthology, each section of essays covers major topics in sustainability, such as climate, energy, water, transportation, food, and waste. It also includes a small, brief section on Transition Towns. Each author uses relatively lay terms to explain sustainability, which is excellent for people who lack significant background in the topic, but leaves those of us who actually study sustainability, yearning for more.
The sections on water and biodiversity were particularly disappointing. (On a book about sustainability, why would you devote only ONE essay to water?!) On the other hand, the sections on climate and energy provided relatively thorough overviews of the issues, which should remind you where the priorities of the Post Carbon Institute lie.
On the whole, I'm glad I took the time to read all 523 pages of the book. I may even go out and buy my own copy to replace the library item I have right now. However, the scope of the book is not truly comprehensive, as its editors implicitly claim. If a second edition were to be published, I would encourage the editors to consider diversifying the authorship (i.e. looking outside of the Post Carbon Institute for contributors) or strengthening their research efforts on the books current "weak" issues, such as water and biodiversity. I would read and review that version, too.
The sections on water and biodiversity were particularly disappointing. (On a book about sustainability, why would you devote only ONE essay to water?!) On the other hand, the sections on climate and energy provided relatively thorough overviews of the issues, which should remind you where the priorities of the Post Carbon Institute lie.
On the whole, I'm glad I took the time to read all 523 pages of the book. I may even go out and buy my own copy to replace the library item I have right now. However, the scope of the book is not truly comprehensive, as its editors implicitly claim. If a second edition were to be published, I would encourage the editors to consider diversifying the authorship (i.e. looking outside of the Post Carbon Institute for contributors) or strengthening their research efforts on the books current "weak" issues, such as water and biodiversity. I would read and review that version, too.
iambartacus's review
5.0
I really liked this book and the tone of it. It's a series of essays written by leading experts in various fields ranging from basic climate change to education, health care, energy, etc. The essays are short and very readable, and usually get straight to the point.
The authors have a good grip on what is happening now, and offer suggestions for what might be a good direction to head in the future. The suggestions are much more realist than idealist, and emphasize that we are beyond the prevention stage, time to make our battle plan for the reality of global climate change and a much altered future.
Highly recommended book for anyone with an interest in any of the 16 topics covered, because if you read about one of them, you may flip through and read the rest! A great overview of some of the largest problems facing us as a species.
The authors have a good grip on what is happening now, and offer suggestions for what might be a good direction to head in the future. The suggestions are much more realist than idealist, and emphasize that we are beyond the prevention stage, time to make our battle plan for the reality of global climate change and a much altered future.
Highly recommended book for anyone with an interest in any of the 16 topics covered, because if you read about one of them, you may flip through and read the rest! A great overview of some of the largest problems facing us as a species.
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