Earth in the Balance
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Earth in the Balance
Earth in the Balance audio book cover
Author Al Gore
Published June 1992 Houghton Mifflin
Pages 407
ISBN 978-0395578216
Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit (ISBN 0-452-26935-0, paperback ISBN 1-85383-743-1) is a 1992 book written by Al Gore, published in June 1992, shortly before he was elected Vice President in the 1992 presidential election. Known by the short title Earth in the Balance, the book explains the world's ecological predicament and describes a range of policies to deal with the most pressing problems. It includes a proposed "Global Marshall Plan" to address current ecological issues.
Written while his son was recovering from a serious accident, Earth in the Balance became the first book written by a sitting U.S. Senator to make the New York Times bestseller list since John F. Kennedy's 1956 Profiles in Courage.[1]
In 1993, Earth in the Balance was released in paperback and audiobook format on audio cassette tape.
It received the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights 1993 Book award given annually to a book that "most faithfully and forcefully reflects Robert Kennedy's purposes - his concern for the poor and the powerless, his struggle for honest and even-handed justice, his conviction that a decent society must assure all young people a fair chance, and his faith that a free democracy can act to remedy disparities of power and opportunity."[2]
The book was followed by An Inconvenient Truth, a book that was the companion for a movie narrated by Al Gore, shown at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival[3] and released on 24 May 2006.
In the 2002 Futurama episode "Crimes of the Hot," Al Gore himself references the book and its "far more popular" fictional future sequel, Harry Potter and the Balance of Earth.
Contents
1Opposition to adaptation
2Editions
3Notes
4External links
Opposition to adaptation[edit]
In the book Gore expresses opposition to adaptation to global warming,[4] writing that adaption represented a “kind of laziness, an arrogant faith in our ability to react in time to save our skins”.[5]
Editions[edit]
Gore, Al, Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit, 1992, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA, hardcover, 416 pages, ISBN 0-395-57821-3.
Gore, Al, Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit, 2000-04-22, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA, hardcover, 416 pages, ISBN 0-618-05664-5.
Gore, Al, Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit, New edition, 2000-07-26, Earthscan Publications Ltd., paperback, 440 pages, ISBN 1-85383-743-1.
Gore, Al, Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit, New foreword, 2006, Rodale, Inc., paperback, 408 pages, ISBN 978-1-59486-637-1.
Notes[edit]
^ Albert A. Gore, Jr., 45th Vice President (1993-2001)
^ "Robert F. Kennedy Book Award". RFKcenter.org. Archived from the original on 2015-06-19.
^ Libresco, Caroline (2006). "An Inconvenient Truth". Sundance Institute. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
^ Albert Gore (January 21, 1992). Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit (hardcover). Houghton Mifflin. pp. 239, 240. ISBN 0395578213.
^ Pielke, Roger; Gwyn Prins; Steve Rayner; Daniel Sarewitz (2007-02-08). "Lifting the taboo on adaptation" (PDF). Nature. 445 (7128): 597–8. doi:10.1038/445597a. PMID 17287795. Retrieved 2012-08-09. Al Gore forcefully declared his opposition to adaptation in 1992, explaining that it represented a “kind of laziness, an arrogant faith in our ability to react in time to save our skins”.
External links[edit]
Booknotes interview with Gore on Earth in the Balance, February 16, 1992
Earth in the Balance - Book, Routledge/Earthscan
===
Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit
by
3.80 · Rating details · 1,378 ratings · 93 reviews
Re-released on the heels of Al Gores #1 New York Times bestseller, An Inconvenient Truth, comes the paperback edition of his classic bestseller, Earth in the Balance. First published in 1992, it helped place the environment on the national agenda; now, as environmental issues move front-and-center in the public consciousness, the time is right to reflect deeply on the fate of our planet and commit ourselves to its future. While An Inconvenient Truth closely examines one menace to our environmentglobal warmingEarth in the Balance takes a broader approach, focusing on the threats that everyday choices pose to our climate, water, soil, and diversity of plant and animal life. A passionate, lifelong defender of the environment, Gore describesin brave and unforgettable termshow human actions and decisions can endanger or safeguard the vulnerable ecosystem that sustains us.(less)
Paperback, 407 pages
Published October 31st 2006 by Rodale Books (first published 1992)
Original Title
Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit
ISBN
1594866376 (ISBN13: 9781594866371)
Edition Language
English
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Jun 29, 2012Kinga rated it did not like it
“We learned, for example, that in some areas of Poland, children are regularly taken underground into deep mines to gain some respite from the buildup of gases and pollution of all sorts in the air. One can almost imagine their teachers emerging tentatively from the mine, carrying canaries to warn the children when it’s no longer safe for them to stay above the ground.”
This is an actual quote. From a book. Written by a Nobel Prize Winner.
It came out around the time I lived in the US on my one year cultural exchange program. I was bored to death and entertained myself with inventing crazy stories about Poland and feeding them to gullible American teenagers who went to school with me.
I told them that although the shops in Poland are open all week, you can only buy things on Mondays. It's a part of government program against poverty and it stops people from buying too much shit they don't need.
Also told them we keep lots of farm animals in our flats and houses even in cities because their body heat keeps us warm at night. The government provides one cow-radiator for a family but if you have some money you are sure to buy a sheep or two to supplement that. Especially in winter.
So when Al Gore says 'we learned' I think he means he had an exchange student from Poland in his school.
(less)
This is an actual quote. From a book. Written by a Nobel Prize Winner.
It came out around the time I lived in the US on my one year cultural exchange program. I was bored to death and entertained myself with inventing crazy stories about Poland and feeding them to gullible American teenagers who went to school with me.
I told them that although the shops in Poland are open all week, you can only buy things on Mondays. It's a part of government program against poverty and it stops people from buying too much shit they don't need.
Also told them we keep lots of farm animals in our flats and houses even in cities because their body heat keeps us warm at night. The government provides one cow-radiator for a family but if you have some money you are sure to buy a sheep or two to supplement that. Especially in winter.
So when Al Gore says 'we learned' I think he means he had an exchange student from Poland in his school.
(less)
Gore deserves some serious credit for writing this book in 1992, before it was in vogue to care about the environment. And though things are now worse than when this was written, this book still seemed valuable to me. I have, of course, seen An Inconvient Truth (some bits of which are taken from Earth in the Balance), but this book helped give me a fuller understanding of Gore's thoughts on the environmental crisis.
The first section--"Balance at Risk"--is the strongest. Here is where Gore lays out the major problems humanity is facing. Global warming and ozone depletion are at the top of the list, along with deforestation. The next section, entitled "The Search for Balance" too often wades into quasi-mysticism, but does make the legitimate point that in order to start to address the crisis, it would be helpful for people to feel some connection to the earth, beyond the desire to use the resources buried underneath it. The final section "Striking the Balance" calls for making "the rescue of the environment the central organizing principle for civilization." It is true that this is necessary, but Gore doesn't really illuminate the way in which such a change could be achieved. The stated goal would essentially require a wholesale remaking of society; that sort of thing does not just happen--it would require nothing less than the defeat of the most powerful instituions operating in the world--our corporate masters and the political and ideological structures that uphold them.
In fact, what makes the book bittersweet, is that Gore does truly seem to be passionate about this cause. I don't doubt his sincerity. But even after 8 years as the vice president of the United States, he managed to accomplish little in terms of serious environmental progress. Not only that, but the public's willingness to endure even a small sacrifice has not increased whatsoever in the decades since Earth in the Balance was originally published. In his 2000 campaign, Gore did nothing to draw attention to environmental problems for fear of being tagged a treehugger (a tag which was nontheless applied to him). And outside of environmentalist circles, public outcry about the Bush administration's awful environmental record is virtually non-existent. And even as I write this, $4 gasoline has prompted the republican party to press to drill for oil on every speck of US land and our coastal areas; evidently, they feel the public is behind them on this issue. If that is true--if we cannot even countenance paying what Europe has paid at the pump for years before we are willing to destroy every last natural place--then I fear that the struggle to maintain a livable planet is already over.
But I've wandered off topic. Earth in the Balance has some excellent pictures. The boats in the middle of the desert (which used to be the Aral Sea) are memorable, as is graphic from which the title of the book is taken--a Bush I era drawing of a scale with the entire earth on one side, and six bars of gold, apparently weighing an equal amount, on the other. If nothing else, Earth in the Balance will serve as a reminder that at least somebody was trying to sound the alarm about environmental catastrophe back when it still seemed possible to avert disaster. (less)
The first section--"Balance at Risk"--is the strongest. Here is where Gore lays out the major problems humanity is facing. Global warming and ozone depletion are at the top of the list, along with deforestation. The next section, entitled "The Search for Balance" too often wades into quasi-mysticism, but does make the legitimate point that in order to start to address the crisis, it would be helpful for people to feel some connection to the earth, beyond the desire to use the resources buried underneath it. The final section "Striking the Balance" calls for making "the rescue of the environment the central organizing principle for civilization." It is true that this is necessary, but Gore doesn't really illuminate the way in which such a change could be achieved. The stated goal would essentially require a wholesale remaking of society; that sort of thing does not just happen--it would require nothing less than the defeat of the most powerful instituions operating in the world--our corporate masters and the political and ideological structures that uphold them.
In fact, what makes the book bittersweet, is that Gore does truly seem to be passionate about this cause. I don't doubt his sincerity. But even after 8 years as the vice president of the United States, he managed to accomplish little in terms of serious environmental progress. Not only that, but the public's willingness to endure even a small sacrifice has not increased whatsoever in the decades since Earth in the Balance was originally published. In his 2000 campaign, Gore did nothing to draw attention to environmental problems for fear of being tagged a treehugger (a tag which was nontheless applied to him). And outside of environmentalist circles, public outcry about the Bush administration's awful environmental record is virtually non-existent. And even as I write this, $4 gasoline has prompted the republican party to press to drill for oil on every speck of US land and our coastal areas; evidently, they feel the public is behind them on this issue. If that is true--if we cannot even countenance paying what Europe has paid at the pump for years before we are willing to destroy every last natural place--then I fear that the struggle to maintain a livable planet is already over.
But I've wandered off topic. Earth in the Balance has some excellent pictures. The boats in the middle of the desert (which used to be the Aral Sea) are memorable, as is graphic from which the title of the book is taken--a Bush I era drawing of a scale with the entire earth on one side, and six bars of gold, apparently weighing an equal amount, on the other. If nothing else, Earth in the Balance will serve as a reminder that at least somebody was trying to sound the alarm about environmental catastrophe back when it still seemed possible to avert disaster. (less)
I read this right after seeing An Inconvenient Truth because I was curious to see what Gore had done in this format, and also to see how his perception of the environment had changed in the years between the two works.
The problem with this book, and the reason I don't recommend it, is that it's short on science and long on spiritual/religious/newage (rhymes with sewage) malarkey. A book on environmentalism should persuade the reader with facts and explanations, and it should let scientists speak (as it were) to the reader as much as possible. But instead of taking that more serious approach, Gore wastes the better part of his book waxing poetic on mankind's God-given duty to shepherd the Earth, and lamenting the loss of the mystical connection that (he believes) our ancestors had with the planet. Reading that fluff, I had to wonder whether Gore really believed it or whether he was trying to appear "spiritually enlightened" for political appeal.
At one point, Gore recalls Reagan's Interior Secretary Watt, who had famously remarked that there was no need to husband the environment because the Second Coming was imminent. Gore claims that Watt was being untrue to scripture, since the "true" faith holds that man's charge is to nurture the planet. Gore doesn't realize that there is no "true" interpretation when it comes to faith, and that that is (one reason) why it's better to stick with science.
(less)
The problem with this book, and the reason I don't recommend it, is that it's short on science and long on spiritual/religious/newage (rhymes with sewage) malarkey. A book on environmentalism should persuade the reader with facts and explanations, and it should let scientists speak (as it were) to the reader as much as possible. But instead of taking that more serious approach, Gore wastes the better part of his book waxing poetic on mankind's God-given duty to shepherd the Earth, and lamenting the loss of the mystical connection that (he believes) our ancestors had with the planet. Reading that fluff, I had to wonder whether Gore really believed it or whether he was trying to appear "spiritually enlightened" for political appeal.
At one point, Gore recalls Reagan's Interior Secretary Watt, who had famously remarked that there was no need to husband the environment because the Second Coming was imminent. Gore claims that Watt was being untrue to scripture, since the "true" faith holds that man's charge is to nurture the planet. Gore doesn't realize that there is no "true" interpretation when it comes to faith, and that that is (one reason) why it's better to stick with science.
(less)
Nov 07, 2018Ruxandra Seniuc rated it it was ok · review of another edition
This could have been such a great book, really. I notice with disappointment several cunning strategies applied in the political world: whereas Gore does justice to the underdeveloped countries (except anything that had to do with the Soviets, they were perceived as the ultimate devils in the 1990s, apparently), he uses these observations in order to support his future political claims, favouring US interventionism as a way of 'educating' and bringing 'democratic values' to other 'dysfunctional civilizations'. I find this rather ignorant, even for 1992. Sorry America, your days as a world leading power are over. No go ratify those conventions (the rights of the child, Ottawa Treaty, convention on cluster munitions, etc.) (less)
Oct 11, 2018Jimmy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: science, environment, political
How do you get people to grasp the seriousness of this problem?
Al Gore tried. Now Republicans think it is a "partisan issue."
The fact that he wrote this in 1992 is what good citizenship is all about.
There are some offbeat passages in the book that make it interesting. For example, he speaks about dysfunctional families. The result of a long period of dependence on the nurturing parent during infancy and childhood meant that the children of such families "will absorb and integrate the dysfunctional rules and warped assumptions about life being transmitted by the parents." It took great courage for Mr. Gore to say something like that. How else do you explain Trump rallies? And the dysfunctional governments and countries built by such people?
We are disconnected from the natural world. We think of nature as something separate from us. As if we were not animals.
Somehow we need a new "common purpose." But if an existential crisis such as climate change cannot bring people together, what can? It seems hopeless to me, but I plug on. (less)
Al Gore tried. Now Republicans think it is a "partisan issue."
The fact that he wrote this in 1992 is what good citizenship is all about.
There are some offbeat passages in the book that make it interesting. For example, he speaks about dysfunctional families. The result of a long period of dependence on the nurturing parent during infancy and childhood meant that the children of such families "will absorb and integrate the dysfunctional rules and warped assumptions about life being transmitted by the parents." It took great courage for Mr. Gore to say something like that. How else do you explain Trump rallies? And the dysfunctional governments and countries built by such people?
We are disconnected from the natural world. We think of nature as something separate from us. As if we were not animals.
Somehow we need a new "common purpose." But if an existential crisis such as climate change cannot bring people together, what can? It seems hopeless to me, but I plug on. (less)
How to rate an almost 30yo book on a topic that I’ve read/studied extensively (including Gores own An Inconvenient Truth and Our Choice)...
Some material is unavoidably dated, but a lot is still very relevant today (sometimes scarily so).
Some material is unavoidably dated, but a lot is still very relevant today (sometimes scarily so).
Super Al wrote this book in the early 1990's when he was in the Senate. Almost ten years before running for President against Bush. That election has cost world ecology a decade!
Gore's 'Earth in the Balance' is a clear warning given to the human race against it's relentless carbon fuelled rape of mother earth. The ecology issues haven't changed since A.G. wrote the book, they're just more urgent now.
He writes of the dysfunctional human spirit that he traces back to the ideas of Rene Descartes and Sir Francis Bacon that have removed the 'connection' with the earth and driven us to our present consumer societies, and our wasteful exploitation of earths resources.
He ends this monster with his proposal for a new 'Marshall Plan' to address third world debt and establish international environmental treaties and co-operation.
Question: What did he achieve when he was Clinton's VP?
Whatever....Gore v Bush. The winner of that election couldn't read a book like this let alone write one. (less)
Gore's 'Earth in the Balance' is a clear warning given to the human race against it's relentless carbon fuelled rape of mother earth. The ecology issues haven't changed since A.G. wrote the book, they're just more urgent now.
He writes of the dysfunctional human spirit that he traces back to the ideas of Rene Descartes and Sir Francis Bacon that have removed the 'connection' with the earth and driven us to our present consumer societies, and our wasteful exploitation of earths resources.
He ends this monster with his proposal for a new 'Marshall Plan' to address third world debt and establish international environmental treaties and co-operation.
Question: What did he achieve when he was Clinton's VP?
Whatever....Gore v Bush. The winner of that election couldn't read a book like this let alone write one. (less)
Aug 10, 2010Tresuiri rated it really liked it
An excellent piece of work by Mr. Gore. Although I commiserate his electoral loss, I appreciate his taking the opportunity to produce this work. I agree with the cover, an outstanding piece of leadership in our time of need. I have a new found respect for Mr. Gore. It is depressing that since this book was published, progress has not been meted out to meet the need. If you feel that you want or need to address the global environmental imbalance, this is an excellent resource to put it all in context as well as giving insights and examples of what you can do on an individual level. And if you're already there, the book gives examples of next steps of what one can do as well as directions to take the fight. Note that this book is not comprised of case studies, but rather a discourse of Mr. Gore's experience and his personal views. The examples are given as illustrative elaborations of his concepts. I want to give this book five stars, but I can't: I was able to put it down and wait till I had time to finish it later. Nonetheless, I strongly advocate reading this book. (less)
Jul 01, 2008Laura rated it really liked it
I shudder to think that our destructive habits have worsened since "Earth in Balance's" conception in '92. "Earth in Balance" is laden with emotive stories and facts, proceeded by Gore's proposed solutions. Gore's occasional attempts to harmonize religion and environmentalism both impress and amuse, as it has become apparent during the current conservative presence that we must de-polarize the two to achieve success.
The book is far from brief, which, in all honesty, could turn several desired audiences from reading. A bit of condensing could be beneficial. Gore's movie is a much better "baby step" for hopeful converts, but overall I feel it's an crucial read -- for motivation, responsibility, self-education, and for the imperative action we must take to resolve this environmental dilemma. (less)
The book is far from brief, which, in all honesty, could turn several desired audiences from reading. A bit of condensing could be beneficial. Gore's movie is a much better "baby step" for hopeful converts, but overall I feel it's an crucial read -- for motivation, responsibility, self-education, and for the imperative action we must take to resolve this environmental dilemma. (less)
Dec 19, 2008Julia rated it it was amazing
Recommends it for: literature scholars (non-fiction)
Shelves: non-fiction
Long before AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH became famous, Gore wrote EARTH IN THE BALANCE in 1992, an amazing book with detailed research. He had just turned 40, lost the presidential bid, and his 6 year old son had been hit by a car. Gore worked on the book as he sat by his son's hospital bed. If anyone needs proof as to how brilliant this man is, just read this book. On p. 12 he states:
"In the end, we must restore a balance within ourselves between who we are and what we are doing....The more deeply I search for the roots of the global environmental crisis, the more I am convinced that it is an outward manifestation of the inner crisis that is, for lack of a better word, spiritual."
America may never realize just how brilliant a man Gore is--and how much we lost in 2000. (less)
"In the end, we must restore a balance within ourselves between who we are and what we are doing....The more deeply I search for the roots of the global environmental crisis, the more I am convinced that it is an outward manifestation of the inner crisis that is, for lack of a better word, spiritual."
America may never realize just how brilliant a man Gore is--and how much we lost in 2000. (less)
Aug 25, 2015Omar rated it really liked it
"Having attempted in earlier chapters to understand the crisis from the perspectives offered by the earth sciences, economics, sociology, history, information theory, psychology, philosophy, and religion, I now want to examine, from my vantage point as a politician, what I think can be done about it." (270).
It's a remarkable work of synthesis; at times, Gore overstretches (especially the bit about religion), but I can really appreciate his attempt to make the environment the "organizing principle" of modern society. It's also one of those cases, as happened for me with The Origin of Species, when you realize that so much of what you have learned recently had already been thought about and articulated years ago. At the same time, you get the sense that there is a deep sadness here. (less)
It's a remarkable work of synthesis; at times, Gore overstretches (especially the bit about religion), but I can really appreciate his attempt to make the environment the "organizing principle" of modern society. It's also one of those cases, as happened for me with The Origin of Species, when you realize that so much of what you have learned recently had already been thought about and articulated years ago. At the same time, you get the sense that there is a deep sadness here. (less)
Dec 07, 2008Kurt rated it liked it
The book provides a great overview of many environmental problems the world has experienced or is currently facing. I was expecting it to be more of a discussion on climate change, but it delved into all kinds of topics that one would pick up in an introductory environmental sciences class. For someone with vary little background in this field, I would highly recommend this book. For those who are already pretty well versed in the topic, the book will seem pretty repetitive with what the reader already knows. From what I can remember from "An Inconvenient Truth", there is a lot of cross-over between that and the book. (less)
Aug 22, 2007Lynda rated it liked it
I've been a fan of Gore for awhile. I learned the 'inconvenient truth' of what our inaction
has done to the planet. and how clean water will
be scarce worldwide. (less)
has done to the planet. and how clean water will
be scarce worldwide. (less)
Apr 28, 2018Kim rated it it was ok · review of another edition
Shelves: audio-book, science, ecology, non-fiction, environment
I listened to the abridged audio book narrated by the author.
The book was initially written in 1992. The audio version I listened to was digitally remastered in 2010 and cut down to a little less than 3 hours. Even though the book was written quite a while ago, the book is still mostly relevant today. It is helpful to keep in mind when the book was written though.
The book contains good information about man's negative impact on the planet and how smart policies at the global level can improve the situation for everyone. Climate Change is a dominate theme. While I find the topic interesting, the way the information is presented in this book is a little dry. The audio book is short, and that's probably a good thing. (less)
The book was initially written in 1992. The audio version I listened to was digitally remastered in 2010 and cut down to a little less than 3 hours. Even though the book was written quite a while ago, the book is still mostly relevant today. It is helpful to keep in mind when the book was written though.
The book contains good information about man's negative impact on the planet and how smart policies at the global level can improve the situation for everyone. Climate Change is a dominate theme. While I find the topic interesting, the way the information is presented in this book is a little dry. The audio book is short, and that's probably a good thing. (less)
Jul 25, 2019Allison Roy rated it it was amazing
Fiiiiiiiiiinally finished this. I've been reading it for over a month. Life has held some big changes in the last few months so I haven't had time to read but I've been chipping away at it recently. This book was so beautiful. Probably the closest book I wood refer to as my bible. It's take on the environment and human spirituality was so lovely. This was written before An Inconvenient Truth and imo is much, much better. This is probably my favorite book I've read concerning environmental issues as well as an introspective look at humanity. I recommend! (less)
Oct 10, 2018Chris rated it it was amazing
I borrowed this from a library in my ward in Tokyo (they had it!) and was in awe at not just how well written it is, not just that it has solutions and ways for the US to lead, but how it seems to envisage the Global Goals/Millennium Development Goals.
Truly ahead of his time, with accolades from Bill Moyers and Carl Sagan, replete with a 300-book bibliography.
biblio has it on sale, too.
Truly ahead of his time, with accolades from Bill Moyers and Carl Sagan, replete with a 300-book bibliography.
biblio has it on sale, too.
Aug 13, 2020Andrea Houle rated it really liked it
Even though this is a bit outdated its still very relevant and if anything you know things are worse now than when the book was written. It makes you realize how bad things are and really has you brainstorming ways to make a difference. I think everyone should read this book so everyone can be on the same page. Definately a must read
Mar 23, 2018Rachel rated it really liked it
It's horrifying that this book was written 26 years ago and there are people who still think climate change is fake... (less)
Sep 17, 2018Henry James rated it it was ok
Unreadable.
===
Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human SpiritEarth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit
by Al Gore
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DisneyDenizen
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 starsEXCELLENT BOOK
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2020
Anything written by Al Gore is worth reading. This man brought the world to the understanding that climate change is an issue that must be addressed. Prescient and knowledgeable, he just may end up saving us all.
One person found this helpful
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Buster
2.0 out of 5 starsOverwrought
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2018
Overwrought. I'm glad all these predictions didn't come true.
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DisneyDenizen
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2020
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Anything written by Al Gore is worth reading. This man brought the world to the understanding that climate change is an issue that must be addressed. Prescient and knowledgeable, he just may end up saving us all.
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Buster
2.0 out of 5 stars Overwrought
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2018
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Overwrought. I'm glad all these predictions didn't come true.
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Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for Everyone
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2015
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Excellent and very scary, should be required reading for all high schoolers, IMO. Explains in very readable and understandable detail how we are consuming our planet, and what we need to do to change.
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Nora
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2017
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Excellent read for those endeavoring to understand the truth about global warming and to become part of the solution
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Michael Larthey
5.0 out of 5 stars GOre's masterpiece is superb like Prince Charles earth in balance 1991
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2015
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Great book and great vice president and should had been president in 2000 on a cake walk book was a great price odd it came from Florida
West Palm beach Florida
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Bruce Nothdurft
3.0 out of 5 stars I only bought it for the historical perspective of "climate ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2017
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I only bought it for the historical perspective of "climate change" distortion and extortion. Yeah, I am an earth scientist who has studied climatology...
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MMH
5.0 out of 5 stars Our Earth is a Trust and a Treasure
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2012
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We are burdening our fragile environment with waste and tearing it apart to acquire, always, more we than we need. In one lifetime even I have seen the detrimental effects of our careless use of resources and disregard for the fragility of the earth. This book is a wake up call for those who will listen, a call coming barely in time, if not already too late. This book is comprehensive, but clearly comprehensible.....an absolutely gripping read.
6 people found this helpful
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Paul E. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Gore is a thinker and a concerned environmentalist
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 1999
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This book is now eight years old and some of the concerns about global warming raised by Gore have been researched and disputed. But this doesn't take away a single bit from Gores concerns about urban sprawl and the quality of life issues he raises. This great book establishes Gores credentials as both a thinker and an environmentalist and the kind of person well equipped to lead our country into the next century.
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Oscar
5.0 out of 5 stars Environmentalist? No. Just read the book and you will be
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2013
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Are you an environmentalist? No, you are not. Do not worry. Read this book, and you will be one, because you will be soon taking about it
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D.A
4.0 out of 5 stars Earth In The Balance
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2007
Verified Purchase
Incredibly informative . Puts perspective on the Earth's history of climate change and how it affects civilizations.
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