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tonigirl's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
It's a lot of names and dates, but highly informative and written in a way to be entertaining and page turning, despite being infuriating. If only climate deniers would read it.
twilch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
jkellyjr's review
4.0
Heroes, villains, and a dash of humor – "The Parrot and the Igloo" unravels the gripping saga of climate change battles..……
Book Information
“The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial” by David Lipsky, is a 496-page science book published on July 11, 2023. The audio version is Narrated by Mike Chamberlain and spans 18 hours and 44 minutes. Thank you to RB Media for providing me with an advance readers copy of this book for review.
Summary
"The Parrot and the Igloo" is an account of the genesis of climate denial, weaving together the stories of prominent inventors like Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse who revolutionized our world. Amidst this backdrop, the book introduces courageous scientists who raised concerns about climate change. David Lipsky skillfully reveals how a web of deception, first established to distort facts about products like aspirin and cigarettes, later facilitated the proliferation of denialist ideas.
My Thoughts
David Lipsky's book, "The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial," is a unique and comprehensive exploration of climate change history and the denial movement. Divided into three parts, "Part One: The Inventors," "Part Two: Scientists," and "Part Three: Deniers," the book offers the flexibility to listen in any order. “The Parrot and the Igloo” is a mind-blowing journey through science, lies, and the fight for truth.
While the book provides a wealth of captivating and well-researched information, its considerable length can be overwhelming at times. Nonetheless, it masterfully traces the long history of science and skepticism surrounding global warming, debunking famous "studies" used to discredit its reality.
One of the book's strengths lies in its infusion of humor and pop culture references, making the content more engaging and enjoyable. Lipsky skillfully presents complex concepts in an accessible manner, making them easy for readers to understand. Notably, the book uncovers surprising connections between big tobacco and climate deniers, shedding light on the manipulative tactics employed to challenge established science.
The book's focus on character-driven storytelling sets it apart from typical science literature. By delving into the lives of both heroes and villains related to climate change, readers gain a fascinating understanding of the science and quackery intertwined in their experiences.
The vivid descriptions of the people involved add intrigue to the narrative and keep readers hooked throughout the book. Moreover, the narrator, Mike Chamberlain, enhances the experience with his engaging performance, making the material feel more like a mystery, comedy, or thriller than a traditional science book.
Recommendation
"The Parrot and the Igloo" is a deeply researched and captivating book that skillfully navigates the history of climate change and denial. Despite its length, the narrative style and excellent narration make it a rewarding and enlightening read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of climate science and denial movements.
Rating
4 Real Science Stars
Book Information
“The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial” by David Lipsky, is a 496-page science book published on July 11, 2023. The audio version is Narrated by Mike Chamberlain and spans 18 hours and 44 minutes. Thank you to RB Media for providing me with an advance readers copy of this book for review.
Summary
"The Parrot and the Igloo" is an account of the genesis of climate denial, weaving together the stories of prominent inventors like Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse who revolutionized our world. Amidst this backdrop, the book introduces courageous scientists who raised concerns about climate change. David Lipsky skillfully reveals how a web of deception, first established to distort facts about products like aspirin and cigarettes, later facilitated the proliferation of denialist ideas.
My Thoughts
David Lipsky's book, "The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial," is a unique and comprehensive exploration of climate change history and the denial movement. Divided into three parts, "Part One: The Inventors," "Part Two: Scientists," and "Part Three: Deniers," the book offers the flexibility to listen in any order. “The Parrot and the Igloo” is a mind-blowing journey through science, lies, and the fight for truth.
While the book provides a wealth of captivating and well-researched information, its considerable length can be overwhelming at times. Nonetheless, it masterfully traces the long history of science and skepticism surrounding global warming, debunking famous "studies" used to discredit its reality.
One of the book's strengths lies in its infusion of humor and pop culture references, making the content more engaging and enjoyable. Lipsky skillfully presents complex concepts in an accessible manner, making them easy for readers to understand. Notably, the book uncovers surprising connections between big tobacco and climate deniers, shedding light on the manipulative tactics employed to challenge established science.
The book's focus on character-driven storytelling sets it apart from typical science literature. By delving into the lives of both heroes and villains related to climate change, readers gain a fascinating understanding of the science and quackery intertwined in their experiences.
The vivid descriptions of the people involved add intrigue to the narrative and keep readers hooked throughout the book. Moreover, the narrator, Mike Chamberlain, enhances the experience with his engaging performance, making the material feel more like a mystery, comedy, or thriller than a traditional science book.
Recommendation
"The Parrot and the Igloo" is a deeply researched and captivating book that skillfully navigates the history of climate change and denial. Despite its length, the narrative style and excellent narration make it a rewarding and enlightening read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of climate science and denial movements.
Rating
4 Real Science Stars
nanikeeva's review
4.0
the beginning (tesla story etc) seemed out of place but otherwise a very well researched and weaved together story of how corporations, politicians, and academics have gone through the dance of climate science in the last ~75 years. interesting how approaches from different industries (tobacco etc) have taken on a new life
robinsnyder's review
Library book - had to return before I could finish. Interesting read, will seek this out to finish at another time.
fauxbot's review
3.0
I have to be honest, this one really didn't resonate with me. I'm not sure if it was the audiobook narrator, or the weird jokey way the author tried to force analogies to modern day situations and scenarios, but I just found the whole thing absolutely exhausting.
I liked the idea that the book was in 3 parts, and you could listen in any order, but the audiobook didn't have chapter headings, much less section headings, and it was all over a really bad listening experience that made me want to bang my head against a wall.
I've given this 3 stars, even though it's a 1 star in my head and heart, because I wonder if the overall stress of the book had me hating it. I found it interesting that the author said working on this book made him hate everything as well, so... maybe it's just the topic is extremely frustrating and awful and migraine inducing. Either way, I've never been so happy to be done with a book.
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I liked the idea that the book was in 3 parts, and you could listen in any order, but the audiobook didn't have chapter headings, much less section headings, and it was all over a really bad listening experience that made me want to bang my head against a wall.
I've given this 3 stars, even though it's a 1 star in my head and heart, because I wonder if the overall stress of the book had me hating it. I found it interesting that the author said working on this book made him hate everything as well, so... maybe it's just the topic is extremely frustrating and awful and migraine inducing. Either way, I've never been so happy to be done with a book.
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
eclasper's review
4.0
4.5
This made me mad and stressed me out. Which is the right reaction, I think.
Informative, and I liked the writing style. Wish it was shorter, but I get the need for the context.
This made me mad and stressed me out. Which is the right reaction, I think.
Informative, and I liked the writing style. Wish it was shorter, but I get the need for the context.
soapyyells's review
4.0
Just as infuriating, if not more, as “Merchants of Doubt”. Reading these two in particular back to back has actually felt very valuable, because despite tracing more or less the same story, Lipsky adds additional historical context and then picks up the threads where the aforementioned book left off (having been published in 2010). Particularly damning for me were the last few chapters, chronicling events like Climategate and the thoroughly unhelpful Obama + Trump presidencies. Meandering though this was, I am glad I read it!
“What voters learned was that even with Democrats, they got the same climate nothing they’d become accustomed to from Reagan, Congress, and two George Bushes. It was emotionally different: a fond, supportive, well-informed nothing. But still nothing.”
“What voters learned was that even with Democrats, they got the same climate nothing they’d become accustomed to from Reagan, Congress, and two George Bushes. It was emotionally different: a fond, supportive, well-informed nothing. But still nothing.”
jdybs's review
3.0
I was really looking forward to reading this book, hoping it would help me to better understand climate deniers, and kudos to the author for attempting to present this topic in a unique and interesting way. However….
I began with the audio book, but found it so crowded with facts, words, and humorous asides that I kept getting distracted and missing the point. So I switched to a print copy, but there I realized the problem wasn’t my audio distraction. The problem is the writing. The author tries to cram in so many facts, tidbits, descriptives, and snarky comments that he fails to communicate. Sentences with no subjects or comprised only of dependent clauses made it even more difficult to stay focused.
Another Goodreads reviewer - Katie - says it perfectly here: “This book is like listening to that super smart friend who knows way too much about something deeply disturbing and talks way too damn fast about it for ages without stopping to take a breath.”
‘Nuff said.
I began with the audio book, but found it so crowded with facts, words, and humorous asides that I kept getting distracted and missing the point. So I switched to a print copy, but there I realized the problem wasn’t my audio distraction. The problem is the writing. The author tries to cram in so many facts, tidbits, descriptives, and snarky comments that he fails to communicate. Sentences with no subjects or comprised only of dependent clauses made it even more difficult to stay focused.
Another Goodreads reviewer - Katie - says it perfectly here: “This book is like listening to that super smart friend who knows way too much about something deeply disturbing and talks way too damn fast about it for ages without stopping to take a breath.”
‘Nuff said.