The Sixth Extinction

An Unnatural History

By: Elizabeth Kolbert

Narrated by: Anne Twomey

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

A major audiobook about the future of the world, blending intellectual and natural history and field reporting into a powerful 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. In The Sixth Extinction, two-time winner of the National Magazine Award and New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert draws on the work of scores of researchers in half a dozen disciplines, accompanying many of them into the field: geologists who study deep ocean cores, botanists who follow the tree line as it climbs up the Andes, marine biologists who dive off the Great Barrier Reef.

She introduces us to a dozen species, some already gone, others facing extinction, including the Panamian golden frog, staghorn coral, the great auk, and the Sumatran rhino. 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.

©2013 Elizabeth Kolbert (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

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.

Warning information you are about to receive is Shocking

A fantastic journey down the road of extinction which is vitally important for all to hear in order to be aware of the small effects that cummulatively grow into large damaging occurances we humans are accountable for.

Be afraid, in order to be Alive. Read/Hear this amazingly well written story.

Super interesting explanation of how we are changing our planet

Great narration, well written, Kolbert takes you to visit leading scientists and to the front lines of how we are changing our climate, oceans, and the life that depend on them.

Very eye opening

Story flows clearly. This should be part of summer reading for kids going to high-school

CAPACITY TO CHANGE

Homo sapiens are the only specie that has the capacity to change events to conform to plan. Elizabeth Kolbert argues that the fate of life on earth is subject to nature and human volition; i.e. the randomness of nature’s cataclysmic events and the will of society. “The Sixth Extinction” recounts the history of five worldwide extinctions. In recounting that history, Kolbert and most scientists suggest there is a pending “…Sixth Extinction”. The difference between the first five and a presumed sixth is the birth and maturity of humankind.

To some listeners, this story is tiresome. It is considered tiresome because the future seems far away. Species have become extinct ever since science began to understand evolution. The story of extinction offers no sense of urgency. Numerous futurists dwell on the extinction of wildlife that is either part of the natural order of existence, a cataclysm of human-caused origin, or part of “God’s” plan. Some believe science will provide an escape hatch for human beings to avoid extinction. History and Kolbert’s book suggest a “…Sixth Extinction” is inevitable, regardless of one’s belief.

One may argue this is the fault of human civilization but that is wasted intellectualization. The advance of civilization naturally induces loss of biodiversity. Part of Kolbert’s theme suggests interconnectedness is the proximate cause of loss of biodiversity but it does not have to be the cause for a “…Sixth Extinction”.

Kolbert’s argument reminds one of the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

“The Sixth Extinction” notes that human beings are the only species that shows the capacity to change events to conform to plan. What the world’s people need is the political will to mitigate the causes of human environmental pollution. It is not that “The Sixth Extinction” will not occur but that human beings need not be the proximate cause.

Interesting and informative

Lots of specifics but the big picture too. I think everyone interested in our wide world should read this book.