From reviews of the first edition: 'For those used to thinking of ecologists as either dry scientists or well-meaning folks in loose-fitting clothing, this book will come as a bracing shock. By turns caustic and tender, Goldsmith lays out an intellectually rigorous and emotionally compelling ecological world-view. May it be widely read - and widely acted on.' Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature
'Goldsmith has provided a 'crash course' in the ecological dynamics of the biosphere and their relevance to the social choices made by human societies. His passionate exposition demonstrates that ecological thinking, far from being vague and limited, is both concrete and comprehensive in its wisdom.' Charlene Spretnak, author of States of Grace
About the author
Edward Goldsmith is best known as an environmental writer and campaigner. He founded The Ecologist magazine in 1969, edited it for 18 years, and was co-author of A Blueprint for Survival (1972), which helped trigger off what was to become the UK's Green Party - in which he played an active role for a number of years. Whilst still at Oxford, Goldsmith came to the conclusion that modern knowledge is fundamentally flawed, because it is based on a world-view that (though arguably coherent) bears very little relationship to reality, which serves above all to justify economic development or progress. In the early fifties he decided to develop a more realistic world-view and he has worked on this project on and off for the last forty years. This book is the result.
Edward Goldsmith was a highly influential environmentalist, eco-philosopher and founder of The Ecologist magaizine.