The Future of Life

By: Edward O. Wilson

Narrated by: Ed Begley Jr.

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

From one of the world's most influential scientists (and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author) comes his most timely and important book yet: an impassioned call for quick and decisive action to save Earth's biological heritage, and a plan to achieve that rescue.

Today we understand that our world is infinitely richer than was ever previously guessed. Yet it is so ravaged by human activity that half its species could be gone by the end of the present century. These two contrasting truths - unexpected magnificence and underestimated peril - have become compellingly clear during the past two decades of research on biological diversity.

In this dazzlingly intelligent and ultimately hopeful book, Wilson describes what treasures of the natural world we are about to lose forever - in many cases animals, insects, and plants we have only just discovered, and whose potential to nourish us, protect us, and cure our illnesses is immeasurable - and what we can do to save them. In the process, he explores the ethical and religious bases of the conservation movement and deflates the myth that environmental policy is antithetical to economic growth by illustrating how new methods of conservation can ensure long-term economic well-being.

The Future of Life is a magisterial accomplishment: both a moving description of our biosphere and a guidebook for the protection of all its species, including humankind.

©2002 E.O. Wilson (P)2002 New Millennium Audio, All Rights Reserved

Critic reviews

"This book is wonderful." (AudioFile)
"Ed Begley, Jr.reads with both skill and knowledge, delivering technical vocabulary smoothly." (AudioFile)

great read, recommend everyone needs it

awesome book, I've read it myself and got the audio to listen as well. chapters dont line up with where they should but not a huge deal.

Great text, poor reading

Wilson is a strong interpreter of the natural world and humanity's place in it. This book is a great introduction to the basic science and conservational imperatives of biodiversity for the layperson.

The performance, however, was flat and full of distracting mispronunciations throughout--and not just of the scientific words. The review above extolling the performance was done by someone who didn't know the difference.

The Future is Now

This is a brilliant analysis of the immediate, mid-term and long-term perils faced by all life on earth as a result of human activity. Wilson has unparalleled knowledge and experience as a natural scientist and a writing style that wholly engages the listener, building on undisputed facts toward both frightening and hopeful conclusions for the future of life on earth. He recommends active participation by all of us to first understand the gravity of the situation and then work together to coordinate ... saving the planet. Ed Begley Jr. does a terrific job.

A beautifully written grim picture of the future.

Would you listen to The Future of Life again? Why?

Absolutely. This is an important message about the global destruction of critical systems necessary for our survival long term. So much is out of our direct control. If we as a species are not better stewards of the earth, we will be responsible for the extinction of our race and much other life on this planet.

Great content, terrible narrator.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not as an audiobook... It's better to read.

What did you like best about this story?

EO wilson is fascinating.

What didn’t you like about Ed Begley’s performance?

The narrator is an actor, not a narrator. I think there is a difference.
Some people can do both.
It is hard to follow. His enunciation and emphasis are marbled.

Good

A little grim on some accounts, but with a little imagination, the similarities of modern day life can be seen. For its time... maybe. Many modern movies have given better life to this idea.
Skip this one is my advise; You already know the story anyways.

A

If you live on Earth, you should probably read this. A detailed accounting of the state of the life on this planet. Wilson's broad and specialized knowledge makes this a unique piece of work that no one else could have put together. He doesn't beat you over the head with guilt, but rather tells you how it is, how it got that way and where it's headed. And, of course, "it" refers to life on this planet. So, again, if you included in that category you really should take the time to learn a bit more about your world.

Specialist reaching well beyond his grasp lead to overarching claims not well supported by real world experience.

I loved his description of the natural world. I despised his arrogance, his assumption of the readers ignorance of basic facts. Supporting technoscientism as a solution to environmental problems is to me laughable. Recognizes the problems, refuses to pinpoint exactly who is responsible. It's not mankind in the abstract Wilson, and folks do not all universally share an environmental ethic. I read this because of his wonderful reputation as a scientist. Sadly I was disappointed.

it's a good book

Every ecologist should read this book. actually, everyone should. bipartisan, poetic, and practical environment salute.

A classic

I wish this were required reading and discussion for high school and/or college students. I enjoyed even more the second time around.