Reviews

First year university biology textbook. I found this book interesting as it wasn't a typical "textbook;" rather, it was a narrative of everything Wilson had studied during his research period in Island Biogeography. While I almost most certainly won't read it again, as everything that I thought was cool in studies did not pertain to the course, it definitely was not the worst textbook I have had to read.

lep42's review against another edition

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5.0

Written in 1998: It as technical but good/interesting. The best chapter was the one on all the diff. uses of plants/fungi etc. as food, medicine, etc./sustainable agriculture

bookwoods's review against another edition

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4.0

I´m slowly making my way through some of the most influential and important biology related books. They are not required in my studies, but I think it´s good to know where the information we are taught comes from, to read about the research straight from the scientist. For conservation biology Edward O. Wilson´s The Diversity of Life is a classic, the first time someone really draws attention to the mass extinction caused by us, the humans. I found it very interesting to learn about how he made his calculations and overall, what kind of studies did he make and were made in general at the time. But most of the space is dedicated to basic ecology. Populations, evolution, adaptive radiation, ecosystems etc - things that I´ve read about over and over again. Though they are explained well, so I can´t use them as a criticism. I think that The Diversity of Life would work very well for anyone interested in biology as understanding it doesn´t require any former knowledge. Plus it has amazing pictures that make the learning process even easier. I just believed that Wilson would write more academically. I got quite a lot out of this nonetheless, and surprisingly few things are outdated.

alwaysm's review against another edition

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5.0

Love E.O.

lgcullens's review against another edition

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5.0

It has been a good while since I read this book, a must read in any naturalist's study, and there are many reviews that give the potential reader an idea of its content. Thus here, I'm only opining about its significance.

Reading offers two paths in our journey through life. One is in strictly entertaining, even in escaping the troubling reality of our being, and the other is in broadening our horizons of reality in caring about the future — not only our future, but that of our progeny and our extended family of all physical life.

Such needn't be an either-or choice, as in combining there is to be found the mental balancing that enriches our individual umwelt. This book is an important read in paving our life path.

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