Reviews: The Sixth Extinction (1)

This is a surprisingly good and incredibly accessible look at the past five extinction events and the current Anthropocene (yes that means human caused) extinctions. Kolbert starts by explaining the evidence for and the science behind the previous five extinction events using key species from each to show the causes and imapcts of these. From this she then establishes and explains what is currently happening to species and species groups across the globe and how there is only one really valid and plausible explanation for these. Now this could be a rather dry and depressing subject but she saves it from being so with some well placed observations, some superb dry wit and some outstanding gallows humour which keeps the whole book accessible and just light-hearted enough to stop you falling into a pit of utter despair with the human species and our ability to royaly mess up (insert more colourful abjective of your choosing) pretty much everything. Overall this is a very good read and an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to know the reality of the natural world and our impact on it.