From Apocalypse to Way of Life: Environmental Crisis in the American Century

by Frederick Buell

Book Overview

From Apocalypse to Way of Life is a comprehensive and in depth survey of environmental crisis as it has been understood for the last four decades. Buell recounts the growing number of ecological and social problems critical for the environment, and the impact that the growing experience with, and understanding of, them has had on American politics, society and culture.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415934079
• ISBN13: 9780415934077
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Simply Excellent

Well-written, intelligent, daunting. One of the best environmental books I've read in a few years, and I teach, write, edit, and review in this field.

A Superb Overview of How We've Messed Up the Environment

I know of no better book about the environmental crises in the US today than this one. It is full of ideas and information but is also full of feeling and is a great read! The book also tells the often sad and outrageous story of environmental politics from the conservative "revolution" to the present and explores many of the very bizarre ways in which we Americans have attempted culturally to adapt to living with and in environmental crisis. I highly recommmend it.Diane Dudzinski

Illuminating

From Apocalypse to Way of Life gives a riveting account of environmental crisis in all its many forms--as a catastrophe in progress in nature, as a threat to human health, and as a dysfunctional aspect of society. It deals with trashed ecosystems, chemical and other pollution, the extinction of species, the risks of new technologies, scary human health problems, and the environmental effects of global inequities. It gives an often amusing (sometimes hilarious) and sobering account of the various attempts to convince us that environmental crisis does not exist (or more blatantly, that it is actually good for us) that have entered American politics and culture over the last three decades.

"Environmental Crisis: The Big View"

Buell's book on environmental crisis is that rare breed of serious book. It's really important, and it's also thoroughly readable and entertaining. Every major aspect of environmental crisis is discussed, and how the crisis has played out in American politics and culture is also fully presented. It's a must read for anyone who wants to really try to imagine the next hundred years.