June’18 Books

This Summer’s Book Recommendations

Breakpoint, Reckoning with America’s Environmental Crisis – by Jeremy B. C. Jackson and Steve Chapple, Yale University Press (April 17, 2018)

An insightful look at the American environmental crisis and emerging solutions from the heartland to the coasts in the era of global climate change

Eminent ecologist Jeremy B. C. Jackson and award-winning journalist Steve Chapple traveled the length of the Mississippi River interviewing farmers, fishermen, scientists, and policymakers to better understand the mounting environmental problems ravaging the United States. Along their journey, which quickly expands to California, Florida, and New York, the pair uncovered surprising and profound connections between ecological systems and environmental crises across the country. More

The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America – by Timothy Snyder, Tim Duggan Books (April 3, 2018)
With the end of the Cold War, the victory of liberal democracy was thought to be absolute. Observers declared the end of history, confident in a peaceful, globalized future. But we now know this to be premature. Authoritarianism first returned in Russia, as Putin developed a political system dedicated solely to the consolidation and exercise of power. In the last six years, it has creeped from east to west as nationalism inflames Europe, abetted by Russian propaganda and cyberwarfare. More

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World-and Why Things Are Better Than You Think – by Hans Rosling, Flatiron Books (April 3, 2018)
“Factfulness throws down a gauntlet to doom-and-gloomers in global health by challenging preconceptions and misconceptions [and] is a fabulous read, succinct and lively… This magnificent book ends with a plea for a factual world view. Rosling was optimistic that this outlook will spread, because it is a useful navigational tool in a complex world, and a genuine antidote to negativity and hopelessness. A just tribute to this book and the man would be a global day of celebration for facts about our world. Perhaps Trump should lead the charge on that.” ―Nature More

Last Days in Ocean Beach – by Jim Miller, San Diego City Works Pr (April 4, 2018)
Last Days in Ocean Beach is the story of William, a scientist working at the Center for Extinction Studies, a think tank at the College of the Sun funded by a green billionaire. William lives “on the border between dread and wonder” as he desperately works to raise the alarm about climate change and its dire consequences to an apathetic public, learns to live with grief, and hold on to love. More