The Sixth Extinction

An Unnatural History

By: Elizabeth Kolbert, Elizabeth Kolbert - introduction

Narrated by: Anne Twomey

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE
From the author of Field Notes from a Catastrophe, a powerful and important work about the future of the world, blending intellectual and natural history and field reporting into a compelling account of the mass extinction unfolding before our eyes.

Over the last half a billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. This time around, the cataclysm is us.

The Sixth Extinction draws on the work of scores of researchers in half a dozen disciplines–geologists who study deep ocean cores, botanists who follow the tree line as it climbs up the Andes, and marine biologists who dive off the Great Barrier Reef. Elizabeth Kolbert, two-time winner of the National Magazine Award and New Yorker writer, accompanies many of these researchers into the field, and introduces you to a dozen species–some already gone, others facing extinction–that are being affected by the sixth extinction.

Through these stories, Kolbert provides a moving account of the disappearances occurring all around us and traces the evolution of extinction as concept, from its first articulation by Georges Cuvier in revolutionary Paris up through the present day. The sixth extinction is likely to be mankind's most lasting legacy; as Kolbert observes, it compels us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.

Very educational, but not very uplifting

I really enjoyed the educational aspect of this book, and it gives you a lot to think upon. Unfortunately the outcome is pretty depressing, but hey, this is a book about extinction after all.

I've read the other reviews that bashed the narrator, but I found she did a fine job. Maybe not the best for an entertainment book, but good enough for science based book.

Give this one a listen if you have any curiosity as to the impact of the human race on the planet, but prepare to be unhappy as to the final judgement.

Inspiring

Something perhaps everyone should listen to. It discusses at length, what it means to be humans and what responsibilities we should take as we are dominating the world.
The performance was good but perhaps the selection of of performer was not the most ideal.
Still very good
Definitely recommend

Fascinating

I grew up with biology, so I was surprised and delighted by how much I learned from this book. The writing is clear, and sprinkled with humor. The science and history are intriguing. The conclusion is frightening, but not entirely without hope. This is a truly rewarding read.

Favorite audiobook so far!!

This book is amazing! It contains a lot different disciplines like history, anthropology, biology, geology among others. It is very well written and so easy to understand. I learned a lot of new information about different things of our history, evolution and the destruction of our planet. I have a different perspective about how species are disappearing and our involvement in this destruction. Highly recommended !! Very entertaining !!

Eye opening

Fantastic read! I bought the rest of her books after I finished The Sixth Extinction. Kolbert, is not even remotely preachy. She lets the reader come to their own conclusions, I found that to be incredibly satisfying.