The Carbon Age: How Life's Core Element Has Become Civilization's Greatest Threat

by Eric Roston

Book Overview

The story of carbon the building block of life that, ironically, is humanity's great threat. Carbon has always been the ubiquitous architect of life: Indeed, all living things need it to stay alive,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802715575
• ISBN13: 9780802715579
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Walker & Company
• Length: 309 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

The Carbon Age

While I do lots of reading, most books are obtained from the library to be enjoyed, then simply returned in a timely manner. Not only did I buy this book, I initially bought two copies, one as a gift and one to keep. Shortly thereafter I purchased an additional copy for another gift. I most certainly recommend this excellent book for others to read.

Outstanding book with breadth and depth

This is a unique book, sweeping in breadth. On the surface, it is a typical science book, but the author manages to add grandeur by giving it a historical perspective. Historical in a couple of senses: First, charting the history of the earth, and second, delving into mankind's history and man's relation to Carbon. The author's research was phenomenal, and on every page there is some provocative or interesting fact that is new (to me at least, and Im rather well read). I do have a suggestion, and if the author ever publishes a 2nd edition, I seriously recommend it: The book could use one or two historical graphs showing trends over time. A picture is worth a thousand words, and if there is one message, one thought, that this book pronounces it is that there have been long-term, gradual changes in the earth's environment, and we need to understand those to survive and flourish. But words are not enough to convey that thought: I want a graph that shows some of the trends, not just the recent Kneeley curve of CO2 in the atmosphere, but the amount of O2 in the atmosphere. There was no O2 originally, then plants came along and pumped out O2, and animals were able to evolve, then they started exhaling CO2, etc. What is the long-term dynamics of plants/animals/O2/CO2? In summary, this is an interesting, educational book. It does focus on global-warming near the end, but that is not the primary aim of the book, and one shouldn't dismiss it as "just another global warming book". I highly recommend this to anyone interested in science or the environment.

A recommended pick for school science and general-interest libraries alike

This discussion of the basic element carbon and its journey from prehistory to modern times surveys the science of carbon, its impact on the civilized world, and the ways mankind has used carbon over the centuries. Modern science blends with original research into history and technology to create an involving survey of one of the basic building blocks of life, a recommended pick for school science and general-interest libraries alike.

A Revealing Look at One of Life's Most Important Elements

Carbon is everywhere. While many people have gone through life without realizing this basic fact, this captivating new book shows us why it is time to reconsider this position. Roston opens the door to the world of carbon - an element that impacts everything from global warming to your new bike. A former Time magazine reporter, Roston writes in an engaging, clear and accessible style carrying us from the beginning of the universe to today's debates around carbon emissions. This is a must-read for anyone looking to learn more about the universe and where it is going. Carbon ... who knew!?!