The Human Age: The World Shaped By Us

As usual, Diane Ackerman has written a book that is informative, easy to read and a keeper. She offers us hope and gives examples of how people around the world are working to save our planet. Unfortunately, we in North American have to search to find this kind of information, when in fact, it should be a daily news item. We need hope and courage to face and deal with the new age that is certainly here. Well done Ms. Ackerman.

Interesting review of the relationships between humans and nature. Engaging writing. My Biggest critique would be that the chapters seemed to be more a series of essays than a cohesive story but it.was still a.Good read and that's only a minor complaint in an otherwise very interesting book.

I love Diane Ackerman and the way she skates on the clouds giving us the most supreme overview of the world we have created so far as well as the world we are creating bit by bit in every corner. I love the poetic way she points out how we have trampled our mother and all the people she finds that are making miracles, both large and small, that are curing the ills we have created. This is an honest look at this new world, how we got here and the myriad ways we are making it better. She holds the most optimistic view of the mess we have made and how we will find our way back into our mother's good graces. I hope she's right!

Good book

In line with a growing number of scientists, the author argues that humans are changing the earth on a scale too grand to underestimate. The breadth of her argument is encyclopedic. A wake up call by a naturalist who knows her science but never forgets her humanity. Written in accessible and engaging language. She obviously loves her work and imparts her excitement to the reader.

The book should be read slowly and as a series of short vignettes or short essays instead of a conventional book. The ideas are worth reflecting on at a leisurely pace. The writing at times was quite beautiful with wonderful descriptions and lush images. The book presents some important ideas and probably merits another star but I was alittle turned off by a certain repetition of Ms. Ackerman's world view of the human impact on our planet. I probably should have read it more slowly than I did. I suggest you read it and savor it.

While this book purports to be about 'the ways that humans are working with nature to try to save the planet,' a more realistic description of the contents of this book might read, 'speculation about the outcomes of very preliminary research and projects that would help humans work with nature to save the planet.' That isn't to say that I didn't get a lot out of this book; it's just more science-fictional nonfiction than it is concrete nonfiction. Ackerman definitely starts from projects that are going on right now, but the majority of the book is her speculation about how those projects and findings could go forward, and what they could mean. This book was beautifully written, but if you're looking for just what's going on right now and nothing else, this may not be the right book for you, as it was not for me. I'm giving it four stars because it is well-written, even if I misjudged what it was about.

I like Diane Ackerman's other books but this was not very good. The chapters are repetitive and not very interesting the usual lyrical turn of phrases are strained.

A superb analysis of our recent ascension to domination of the planet our imprint challenges and our capabilities to solve our problems. Akerman with her beautiful prose weaves together science and writing so smoothly and eloquently. Akerman focuses on our technological and social capabilities and avoids the political dimension. It is not a light read ,you won't read it in one sitting !! I kept notes on critical ideas that she revealed. It does give you hope for a future which is fast approaching with ethical decisions on gene manipulation de extinction of species etc.

The most thought provoking bookI have read in ages. It is certainly not a fast read; the mind requires time to think through and process what has been read. One chapter at a time! The information is well compiled and although it is not new information,it is looped and drawn together in such a way that you go, "Wow". It lends itself to very interesting conversations in so many different areas. Well worth the time!

Awesome book by Diane, a must read for all who believe that our environment is degrading today and that we need to do something about it. Diane brings amazing insight from all over the world on how new age technology can help us co exist better with nature. what i miss the most in this book is lack of any photos or illustrations for a multitude of items described by Diane, the reader can just visualize them given the beautiful level of detail in which Diane describes them.

The extremely descriptive style of writing was tedious and annoying, I felt it was unnecessary for a work of non fiction to be so descriptive in the way it was written. I read a chapter and found it hard to focus on taking in the information being given because there was so much decoration around the delivery. Ended up sending it back after one chapter.

Great product, exactly as described, packed well shipped lightening fast and arrived safely; Thank you!!!