Product Description

In a Dark Wood presents a history of debates among ecologists over what constitutes good forestry, and a critique of the ecological reasoning behind contemporary strategies of preservation, including the Endangered Species Act. Chase argues that these strategies, in many instances adopted for political, rather than scientific reasons, fail to promote biological diversity and may actually harm more creatures than they help. At the same time, Chase offers examples of conservation strategies that work, but which are deemed politically incorrect and ignored.

In a Dark Wood provides the most thoughtful and complete account yet written of radical environmentalism. And it challenges the fundamental—but largely unexamined—assumptions of preservationism, such as those concerning whether there is a "balance of nature," whether all branches of ecology are really science, and whether ecosystems exist. In his new introduction, Chase evaluates the response to his book and reports on recent developments in environmental science, policy, and politics.

In a Dark Wood was judged by a recent national poll to be one of the one hundred best nonfiction books written in the English language during the twentieth century. A smashing good read, this book will be of interest to environmentalists, ecologists, philosophers, biologists, and bio-ethicists, and anyone concerned about ecological issues.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #720264 in Books
• Published on: 2001-05-11
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.84 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 535 pages

Review

"A gripping story."

—New York Times

"A must-read for those who care about the environment."

—Wall Street Journal

"If you walk in the woods, read this book. It will open your eyes to what you're actually seeing."

—Men's Journal

"Fascinating reading, impeccably researched, and powerful."

—Kirkus Reviews

"The single most profound—and alarming—book in three decades of environmental literature."

—Orange County Register

About the Author

Alston Chase has written widely on natural history, the environment, and animal welfare issues. He holds degrees from Harvard, Oxford, and Princeton universities. In addition to his fiction writing, he has written well-received analytical books, including Playing God in Yellowstone: The Destruction of America’s First National Park, In a Dark Wood: The Fight over Forests and the Myths of Nature, and Harvard and the Unabomber.