Elizabeth Kolbert

Draws on the work of geologists, botanists, marine biologists, and other researchers to discuss the five devastating mass extinctions on Earth and predicts the coming of a sixth.

An Unnatural History

The Sixth Extinction

Chris Dailey

Powerful indictment of humanity's impact on the earth over the past 100,000 years. Grand in scope and scale, but not in the page count, Kolbert focuses first on the scientific history extinction and then the geological and biological run-down of how we've come to enter into the Anthropocene. From killing off super sized species and carrying disease to all corners to ocean acidification and coral bleaching, the intended and unintended consequences of our rise as a species is immense. Impactful and concise prose shed light on human's have altered the world and its species. Ultimately the message is bleak -- there's not much we can do. It's our prerogative to change that has made humans the most successful species. Required reading (or skimming) for all.

Patrick Book

kait

This was a very great book as we are able to examine what species have gone extinct, the mass extinction events that have taken place, and how humans have been drivers of past, current, and future extinctions. I really liked learning about the Panamanian Golden Frog the most I think and this chapter really stuck with me throughout the semester I read this. During that time, I was able to go to my local zoo and see some of the animals that humans have made endangered in the wild. One of the best things to happen that day was that I was able to see the Golden Frog that is no longer present in the wild, and only in select places that ensure it will not be impacted by the Bd fungus. It really brought the whole book into perspective and made what I was reading about real. Overall, I really liked this book and I definitely recommend reading it, whether that be for a course or if you just want to see how humans have really impacted their inhabited space so much so that we are likely to fall victim to our own harmful doings.

It’s kinda dark. The Sixth Extinction unveils how human activities are inciting the sixth mass extinction comparable to the previous ones driven by the ice age, asteroid impact, flood basalt, and other natural catastrophes. Reading The Sixth Extinction was a hallmark of my growth as a skeptic and environmentalist. Some facts served there changed me and my attitude to humankind forever. It got me quite bitter circa 2015–2019. I was especially taken aback by the fact that as much as we wish we can live in harmony with the environment like we did in the past, that notion was never true. Big animals extinction pattern highly coincides with primitive human migration pattern. From the beginning of time, we’re out to bring about destruction. We never lived in harmony with nature. That fact destroyed me. What does it mean to be human? From that point on, being a harbinger of death enters the list. How can I make peace with this news? Can I be angry? To whom? Before I read this book, I was angrier to all the people or corporations that contribute to climate change and extinction. After The Sixth Extinction, I realized that that’s just about everyone! By taking part in capitalism, we create the demand that corporations fulfill by exploiting nature and manufacturing it with environmentally endangering processes. I arrived at a resignation that although not all people are bad, we, as a species, are dangerous. We’re beyond saving, everything will only get worse. Well, environmentally it will, so everything will. It’s a permanent mark of our inexcusably flawed idiosyncrasy, and our failure to fix that before it’s too late. The world will go down with us, and I hope people will get their deserving retribution. I still support all attempts to halt any environmental destruction, but I was pretty much bitter and hopeless.

Well, after a period of exposing myself to the better part of the news, I’m quite hopeful for the future now. Good intention is never futile. Our situation is concerning, but there are ways to resist. Human virtue is being able to reflect, and change our ways to be better after all, is it not? We’re the only species that can consciously curb our destructive competitiveness. I think it’s beautiful that so many people, so, many, people, care and try their best to undo our collective damage. This becomes more of a rant than a book review isn’t it, lol. Anyway, I’m thankful to Kolbert for everything she compiled and revealed about the world here. Life took a dark turn with this book but I wouldn’t trade what I know now with my ignorant and apathetic naivety. The Sixth Extinction is an exceedingly important book. Let’s learn about our impact as a species and try to live more responsibly onward.

Abhimat Gautam

This book was scary and fascinating. Fascinating because I learned a lot about the history of extinctions and our understanding of it. I was particularly surprised by how recent the overall idea of extinctions is, and further, how recent the idea of mass extinctions is. (For example, the asteroid impact at the end of the Cretaceous period leading to the extinction of dinosaurs was only discovered in the 70s, and first published in the 80s, and became widely accepted much later!) And the discoveries of the different ways humanity has affected global ecology and climate was also fascinating.

But ultimately, this book was a scary wake up call. Before reading this book, I had felt that I largely and broadly understood the severity of climate change. But I hadn’t quite realized the extent to which humanity now (and in the past over the entire course of human history) has been changing global ecology. And the current speed of decline is terrifying. Particularly learning about the number of extinctions recently in the tropics has been saddening.

The science, and the fascinating processes that led towards these discoveries, is very well laid out by Kolbert. It’s one of the best written general audience science books I’ve read; mixing in real science with fascinating backstory of current scientists in the field and the history of the discoveries. But the book also highlights how far humans have broken the environment, and I found that absolutely infuriating, saddening, and awakening.

Rohit Arondekar

Though it might be nice to imagine there once was a time when man lived in harmony with nature, it's not clear that he ever really did.

A beautifully written book weaving history, biology, palaeontology, geology and other natural sciences to present a grim picture of what we, humans, are doing to our planet and its inhabitants. 

Building on the discovery of the idea that extinctions of organisms took place, leading to the realization that we have entered the Anthropocene, Elizabeth Kolbert expertly accomplishes the goals she sets out in the beggining―“...to reveal both the excitement of what's being learned and the horror of it."

I recommend everybody to read this book.

rumbledethumps

Elizabeth Kolbert travelled around the world, interviewing and studying with scientists from a variety of disciplines. Geologists, ornithologists, climatologists, marine biologists, all led her to the conclusion of this book: the earth is changing on a massive scale at an unprecedented speed, and humans are the cause.

Well-researched, well-written, *The Sixth Extinction* delves into the effects of humanity on the climate and ecology of the entire globe, effects so significant that geologists have started to refer to the current epoch as the Anthropocene.

Each chapter focuses on a different species or area, but all are tied into a cohesive narrative that leads the reader to Kolbert's haunting conclusion: we are heading for a mass extinction event not seen since the end of the dinosaurs.

Though the subject matter is a bit depressing, Kolbert does an excellent job of engaging the reader, telling the story in a way that is compelling, informative, and entertaining.

Wynter

Kristen Claiborn

When I was a wee lass, I loved rocks. Back then it was just because they were pretty, but the fascination with rocks never really went away. I’m sure much of my fascination with rocks, and then geology in general, was influenced by where I grew up. It was REALLY easy for me to learn my directions (north-south, etc,) because my hometown is bordered on the east by a gigantic mountain (I have since moved, and I have no idea where north is, still, after six years). Throughout my childhood I learned that that gigantic mountain tells a story…and it’s a fascinating story if you take the time to learn it. 
	What blows my mind most about this book is how long it took humans to figure out the history of the earth, and how much we still really don’t know. I swear I grew up knowing that dinosaurs were essentially obliterated by an asteroid (while I fully understand that’s not really what happened, I really wanted to use that word), but after reading this book I learned it wasn’t even an accepted theory until the 1990s. Mind. Blown. Also…I feel like the 1990s were like ten years ago. 
	I also found it really fascinating that trees migrate uphill. 
	And some people snort powdered rhino horn as a party drug. Anybody have any insight on why? That one baffles me. 
	So it would seem like most of the scientific community agrees that the earth is currently in a warming period, and most of those scientists also believe that human activity is quickening the timeline of that activity, which is creating devastating effects. Kolbert as provided evidence that we are currently in the midst of a mass extinction event, and it would appear as though the only species on the planet not likely to be badly effected are humans and a weird fungus killing frogs. I find this both fascinating and terrifying. I kinda wish I could fix it by myself. 
	Kolbert does a really good job with the evidence, but it’s kinda jumbled. I felt like she was all over the place with her timelines, which made this not the easiest thing to read. The anecdotal quips were great in some areas, completely unnecessary in others (the girl manning the gift should shouldn’t have been asked to give a tour). However, the amount of time and effort she put into research comes across loud and clear, so kudos to Kolbert for that.

Felipe Saldarriaga 

Mirar con datos lo que han significado las extinciones masivas en el planeta, ponen en perspectiva de las capacidades de autoregulación que tiene el planeta, lo cual es indiscriminado con las formas de vida. he ahí el detalle de que con las acciones ambientales no son para salvar el planeta, son para salvarnos de que los ajustes que debe hacer el planeta sean tan pronto y tan bruscos.

Becky A

Oh man, I love accessible science books. I almost didn't pick this up, because reading too much about climate catastrophe makes my anxiety skyrocket, but I *am* fascinated by the interplay between environment and biology (and extinction), so I gave this a read regardless. (Note: while it certainly isn't *about* climate change or ocean acidification, it does tackle those topics.)

It was interesting! One thing that gives me hope when I get overwhelmed by climate anxiety is remembering the Jurassic Park line - "life finds a way" - and this book reinforces that, despite being about times when life *didn't* find a way. Except ... we're here, on a planet with millions of other species, so clearly life *does* survive even when individual species don't. ANYWAY. My real takeaway from the book is in thinking about humans as just another invasive species, that does that every invasive species does - consume what it needs, inadvertently changing the world around it, albeit on a scale no other species could manage.

Basically, this was an easy read on a heavy subject with lots of neat science. I liked it.

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST A major book about the future of the world, blending intellectual and natural history and field reporting into a powerful account of the mass extinction unfolding before our eyes Over the last half-billion years, there have been Five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. This time around, the cataclysm is us. In prose that is at once frank, entertaining, and deeply informed, New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before. Interweaving research in half a dozen disciplines, descriptions of the fascinating species that have already been lost, and the history of extinction as a concept, Kolbert provides a moving and comprehensive account of the disappearances occurring before our very eyes. She shows that the sixth extinction is likely to be mankind's most lasting legacy, compelling us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.

Izza

3.5 stars | The subject is really interesting and I think it's important to be aware of the impact we have as humans on other species and the environment, but I found the way the author chose to present the information a bit boring. I felt some chapters were dragging. I am really pleased I read it though, maybe it's just because I'm not used to reading books on that topic.

Janice Hopper

Well done, but SO depressing. I despair for the future of humanity. Heck, Humanity makes me despair. So stupid, so short-sighted. :(

Over the last half a billion years, there have been five mass extinctions of life on earth. Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. Elizabeth Kolbert combines brilliant field reporting, the history of ideas and the work of geologists, botanists and marine biologists to tell the gripping stories of a dozen species - including the Panamanian golden frog and the Sumatran rhino - some already gone, others at the point of vanishing. The sixth extinction is likely to be mankind's most lasting legacy and Elizabeth Kolbert's book urgently compels us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.

Very fascinating and eye-opening. An easy, and hard to put down, read for an evidence-based, journal-like book. Chapter one is a compelling chapter that would do well as being taught in school systems regarding extinction.  

Alexandria Ausmus

l.h.

objectively, very good; subjectively, if i have to annotate another page for the rest of my life it'll be too soon

Riah Forbes 

Parts of this dragged for me and I read it very intermittently, but 5 stars even just for the last 3-4 chapters. I’ll be thinking about this book for a while.

Cindy Lieberman

Kayce Champion 

I had to read this book for my honor's seminar last semester. It was a really thought provoking read about the world's shift of anthropogenic factors. As someone who cares about the planet but had limited knowledge on the subject and the world's past mass extinctions, this book delivers a subjective insight on such an objectively terrifying reality.

Kolbert speaks of her own personal experiences of traveling around the world, encountering people who deeply care about the world and give a close hand view to the damage that is continuing on our planet. I remember reading a book about the environment a semester before and this enhances the hardships that are happening and will continue to happen in what is deemed as a potential sixth mass extinction caused by humanity.

I think this book is for anyone. I think it is especially important for people with limited knowledge on the Earth's ultimately downfall should take a look. It examines the extinction of various animals, current fights that environmentalists and conservationists face to hold onto some of the endangered and threatened species of the planet. Someone who may not be aware of this would benefit from this read. It's easy to follow but it's descriptive and real. Kolbert makes it easy to transcend the emotional component of caring about Earth. 

I really enjoyed it despite it being a book for my class, I found myself purchasing it as an audiobook as well because the stories told are some that really need to be engrained in one's mind.

Melody Izard

We are doomed. Tick Tock Tick Tock. Guess who is going down in the sixth extinction and guess who is to blame?

"Over the last half billion years, there have been five major mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on Earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. This time around the cataclysm is us. In this book the author tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before. She provides a moving account of the disappearances of various species occurring all around us and traces the evolution of extinction as concept, from its first articulation by Georges Cuvier in revolutionary Paris up to Lyell and Darwin, and through the present day. The sixth extinction is likely to be mankind's most lasting legacy, compelling us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human". -- Back cover.

Madhuri Gubbala

The first and last few chapters were captivating, I got bored in the middle. There is a lot of interesting trivia about evolution, extinction, human beings and I bet it would be an interesting read for someone studying these topics. For a general reader, it did get a bit difficult to see her switch between the casual style of writing about her treks and expeditions to explaining serious facts about Anthropocene, Ammonites and Aragonites. 

Climate change is real, humans are affecting everything on Earth making it hard to predict the future of our planet but by the end of this century, we are close to losing up to a half of the living species. Welcome to the sixth extinction.

TL;DR: It's a Pulitzer winner, read it if the subject interests you. Otherwise, just know that we are doomed. (jk)

Lewis John Fisher

A really great, species driven examination of the Anthropocene!

Dinda

Fvck, buku ini bagus banget. Buku non fiksi pertama yang aku baca sehari semalam nggak mau lepas. Tapi mungkin ada hubungannya juga karena aku baru menemukan cara yang enak buat baca buku non fiksi, yaitu kita boleh mulai dari bab-bab yang kita anggap menarik. Walaupun setelah baca semua, bisa aku bilang hampir semua babnya menarik.

Membaca sejarah dari sudut pandang apapun itu emang selalu membuat tercengang. Sebenarnya inti dari buku ini adalah untuk menunjukkan bahwa kehidupan mempunyai sejarah berupa kemusnahan makhluk hidup melalui peristiwa yang mengerikan dan kadang tidak bisa dibayangkan oleh manusia. Ada 5 kemusnahan massal yang sudah terjadi. Di mana kelima momen ini sangat menentukan pola evolusi dan pola kehidupan. Yup, mereka berperan aktif dalam merubah aturan permainan.

“Had the list of survivors been one jot different, then so would the world today.” ⁃ Richard Fortey

Kemusnahan keenam sedang terjadi dan disebabkan oleh aktifitas manusia yang mengubah komposisi atmosfer.

Hal-hal yang biasanya aku dengar lewat-lewat gitu aja, di sini dibahas detail proses penelitiannya sampai jadi fakta. Seperti menyaksikan perkembangan paleontologi dan geologi dengan cara yang tidak membosankan. Bagaimana tongkat estafetnya berjalan dari satu peneliti ke peneliti lain, menciptakan teori-teori yang awalnya bersifat kontroversial sampai bisa diterima sebagai fakta science. Kerangka lama menggantikan kerangka baru, perubahan paradigma. 

Contohnya adalah bagaimana kita menemukan asteroid raksasa yang menghantam bumi dan menyebabkan kepunahan 3/4 spesies bumi termasuk 100% Dinosaurus. Atau tentang Naenderthal dan saudara-saudara kandung kita lainnya yang sudah punah (kita bunuh). Termasuk beberapa megafauna dan beberapa mamalia lain seperti great auk yang juga kita musnahkan. Membaca bagaimana proses penemuan dan penelitian tentang mereka dan spekulasi-spekulasi ilmiahnya adalah bagian yang sangat aku suka. Well, masih banyak misteri, tongkat estafet masih berjalan.

Luca Conti

Aaron Lewis

Far more entertaining and engaging that a book on such a depressing subject has any right to be, this is an absolutely essential and incredibly sobering read. This one will stick with you.

The Sixth Extinction An Unnatural History

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