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The Dominant Animal: Human Evolution and the Environment | 
 enlarge | Authors: Paul R. Ehrlich, Anne H. Ehrlich
Publisher: Island Press
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
Buy New: $17.50
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Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 21532
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 440
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.7 x 1.4
ISBN: 1597260967
Dewey Decimal Number: 304.2
EAN: 9781597260961
ASIN: 1597260967
Publication Date: June 30, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New. 100% money back guarantee. All books shipped from Strand Bookstore, New York City, USA.
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Product Description
In humanity’s more than 100,000 year history, we have evolved from vulnerable creatures clawing sustenance from Earth to a sophisticated global society manipulating every inch of it. In short, we have become the dominant animal. Why, then, are we creating a world that threatens our own species? What can we do to change the current trajectory toward more climate change, increased famine, and epidemic disease? Renowned Stanford scientists Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich believe that intelligently addressing those questions depends on a clear understanding of how we evolved and how and why we’re changing the planet in ways that darken our descendants’ future. The Dominant Animal arms readers with that knowledge, tracing the interplay between environmental change and genetic and cultural evolution since the dawn of humanity. In lucid and engaging prose, they describe how Homo sapiens adapted to their surroundings, eventually developing the vibrant cultures, vast scientific knowledge, and technological wizardry we know today. But the Ehrlichs also explore the flip side of this triumphant story of innovation and conquest. As we clear forests to raise crops and build cities, lace the continents with highways, and create chemicals never before seen in nature, we may be undermining our own supremacy. The threats of environmental damage are clear from the daily headlines, but the outcome is far from destined. Humanity can again adapt—if we learn from our evolutionary past. Those lessons are crystallized in The Dominant Animal. Tackling the fundamental challenge of the human predicament, Paul and Anne Ehrlich offer a vivid and unique exploration of our origins, our evolution, and our future.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Must Read: Informing, rewarding, and inspiring October 4, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
In an easily readable style that resists simplifying the complex relationship between humans and their environment, this book explains why we find ourselves facing the almost overwhelming challenges confronting us and future generations; challenges such as global warming, the threat of nuclear war, resource scarcity and skyrocketing energy prices. Finally, a book that treated me like an adult who wants to be educated without being subjected to fear-mongering, demonizing those who made decisions which resulted in unintended consequences, or making me feel dumb for not having a sophisticated background in science. I loved it! What a great gift for my friends and family who want to make sense of this world but don't want to feel "beat up," manipulated or discouraged when the final page is turned.
The book links genetics-culture-population- perception-energy- consumption- ecosystems and globalization and concludes by describing governance and individual choices that can reverse the current momentum towards an increasingly unstable and inequitable world. It fluctuates between being very discouraging and very energizing, calling for intelligent action.
Forty years after The Population Bomb shaped a generation, The Dominant Animal may help redirect our personal choices in our homes and in the ballot box.
Joan Diamond
MBA
 The Story of Evolution, Humankind, Environment, --All in One September 24, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Ehrlich's have produced a magistral review of everything the reader needs to know in order to properly understand what humankind is doing to the global environment. The background education offered on evolutionary biology, the evolution of culture, and the global environment, is breathtaking, and at times demanding of the reader. The most important part of the book is the last third, which tackles the current state of the earth and prospects and prescriptions for the future.This is an important book and deserves reading by decision-makers and informed citizens. I recommend it!
This book is a 'must read' for everyone, particularly politicians. September 21, 2008
2 out of 9 found this review helpful
It is sad that C. Hardin, instead of reading and reviewing "The Dominant Animal," simply offers an unsubstantiated attack on its author. Ehrlich has written dozens of books and hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific papers, and received virtually every honor the scientific community can offer for his work in ecology, evolution, and environmental science. "Dominant Animal" is a brilliant book, by far the best volume ever written explaining where we came from and where we're going. Despite the enormous breadth of the topics covered, the book is concise and an easy read. It explains everything from how genetic and cultural evolution led us to dominate the earth to why climate change, destruction of biodiversity, toxic chemicals, and vast new epidemics could end civilization as we know it. And, as a glance at the acknowledgements would show, the book has been reviewed by the cream of the scientific community. "Dominant Animal" fills in the gaps largely ignored by our educational system. I wish it were a required book for every college freshman; it should certainly be read by every politician - especially presidential (and vice-presidential) candidates.
A great introduction to the environmental dilemma September 16, 2008
3 out of 12 found this review helpful
Paul and Anne Ehrlich have done an incredible job assembling a coherent look at one of the world's biggest issues: the relationship between humanity and the natural environment. "The Dominant Animal" puts humanity into frame, connecting our species' immense accomplishments with the history of human cultural evolution, the distribution and use of resources across the globe, and the serious challenges facing our continued existence. By no means are these topics simple or uncontroversial, but the Ehrlichs bring decades of research and detailed support to illustrate their ideas, and the result is a book that is appropriate for newcomers to environmental issues, as well as those who make it their lives' work.
I often hear people seek to discredit the Ehrlichs' writing (including some reviewers at this site) as though their efforts are nothing more than ideology. That attitude is unfortunate. Whether or not one agrees with its conclusions, the most remarkable thing about this book is the transparency of its arguments. The Ehrlichs make clear distinctions between mainstream scientific thought, and where they have an opinion about an unresolved issue, or about ethical matters. I hope that skeptical readers will find a copy at their library and give it a chance; it's the kind of book that wants you reflect, on your own terms.
In the coming years, environmental issues will grow in importance. There's no better place to start a conversation about how to respond than with this book.
 Mass Culling of the People Is Fine... Until It's Your Turn??? August 21, 2008
11 out of 28 found this review helpful
The Green Movement is being herded like cattle and sheep. Guided blindly and controlled by a new, new "TERROR". As science has become a new religion with new priests wearing coats of white.
"So long as the rulers are comfortable, what reason have they to improve the lot of their serfs?"- [3rd Earl] Lord Bertrand Russell, 1952 (p61) "The Impact of Science on Society" on how 'the scientific technique' is used on the world's populations then, now and in the future.
Dr. Ehrlich's views are those of apathy v. empathy, degradation and demoralization v. natural moral rightness. He and his books also promotes a philosophy of public dis-approval v. public approval. Hence the 'Scientific Technique'. In his guidance and/or partnership with the RIIA's and The Club of Rome's agendized eugenicly based ideologies that establish themselves as 'World Policy and Law' through the UN.
This book is a must read in only that people must know who the author is and what his views are as Dr. Erhlich's quotes from his mentor, Charles Darwin in his books. A progenitor of eugenics thought through Darwinism and Malthusian beliefs. He also quotes indirectly, Charles Galton Darwin, (The Next Million Years). The grandson of Charles Darwin and close relative of Francis Galton, an admitted racist and eugenicist. Close friends of the Famous Huxley Family including Julian Huxley, a evolutionist and humanist himself and the first Director-General of UNESCO and writer of "The Crowded World" calling for a "World Population Policy".
In the beginning of Dr. Erhlich's interview on NPR, The Diane Rehm Show 7-24-08.
He proudly professes that he was sorrowly wrong and disgruntled in predicting that more poor, hungry and sick people had not died from the Mid-1970's until now. Whilst being wrong he happily admits that HIV/AIDS and other resistant disease were however discovered. He praises his belief in a World Wide Communistic China solution to all our problems. This man is an American, Right?.
His foundation backed opinions are very frightening! His theories and suggestion follow the mainstream thought of global warming as being caused by man but never mentioning that amongst the main causes. Which I believe are cyclical and effected by the greediness of the world's richest individuals and sometimes purposefully as the weather can be controlled effectively and efficiently in today's world by many nation's but its this looming concocted notion and concept that the blame and cause is the ordinary person.
These ordinary persons would have been more than willing to use alternative methods of energy production long ago. Which have been around for many decades but oil is their favorite flavor. It's revenues generate bloodshed, war, power and ultimate control and possibly in the end the destiny of mankind itself. The overtone this book and his previous book "The Population Bomb" will give a glimpse into the mind of those whom say they would rather save a tree or cat than a human soul.
Educated Mankind has become too many, too fast, too soon for the wealthy's comfort. Larger numbers of ordinary individuals are becoming more aware that our predicament is anything but happenstance and natural. A chain of events beyond our control. Which when very carefully researched provides evidence to the contrary. That is that we have been, for quite a while, a long while, very insidiously and intentionally guided towards this idea of accepting population reduction.
The rich and wealthy of the world have the largest families but you will be told to believe differently. It's the poor! You know those who can barely afford food and shelter than arriving to the point of owning a car and filling it with petroleum. The Elitist plan is to rid themselves of those nolonger needed. A working population that has out lived their purpose and usefulness.
Remember, we are now post-industrial. A service economy. Production in this nation alone was willing sent to China. There is but one place to go and that is tyranny to control a wiser much knowledgeable nation and world.
Read, but read objectively with an opened mind and be aware. Be very aware of his kind and their plans for YOU. Then ask yourself who funded this book and dvd project.
*** I highly suggest reading "Foundations: Their Power and Influence" and going to the UN's website to read and download "AGENDA 21" as the UN controls World Policy but its members are not elected by any citizens or the people of the Nation States Members and never will be.
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