num_pages: 432
description: "A superb blend of lyrical description, sweeping historical writing, lucid scientific explanation, and dire warnings. . . . The most important scientific book of the year." ― Boston Globe In this book a master scientist tells the story of how life on earth evolved. Edward O. Wilson eloquently describes how the species of the world became diverse and why that diversity is threatened today as never before. A great spasm of extinction ― the disappearance of whole species ― is occurring now, caused this time entirely by humans. Unlike the deterioration of the physical environment, which can be halted, the loss of biodiversity is a far more complex problem ― and it is irreversible. Defining a new environmental ethic, Wilson explains why we must rescue whole ecosystems, not only individual species. He calls for an end to conservation versus development arguments, and he outlines the massive shift in priorities needed to address this challenge. No writer, no scientist, is more qualified than Edward O. Wilson to describe, as he does here, the grandeur of evolution and what is at stake. "Engaging and nontechnical prose. . . . Prodigious erudition. . . . Original and fascinating insights." ― John Terborgh, New York Review of Books , front page review "Eloquent. . . . A profound and enduring contribution." ― Alan Burdick, Audubon Color plates
language: English
title: The Diversity of Life
titlecomplete: The Diversity of Life (Questions of Science)
genres: Ecology, Nature, Biology, Environment, Science, History, Science Nature, Natural History, Nonfiction, Evolution
ratings_count: 6023
awards: awardedAt: 694252800000
name: National Book Critics Circle Award
category: General Nonfiction, awardedAt: 725875200000
name: Sir Peter Kent Conservation Book Prize, awardedAt: 1104566400000
name: جایزه ادبی مهرگان
category: مهرگان علم
publisher: W. W. Norton & Company