Recommended Reads

Cover image of The Big Burn

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America
By Timothy Egan
DB 69976, Available as BARD download
Depicts the 1910 forest fire that devastated swaths of Idaho, Washington, and Montana and portrays the people who battled the flames. Highlights President Theodore Roosevelt's and the fledgling U.S. Forest Service's stance against mining and timber interests, which led to efforts to conserve the country's natural resources. Some strong language. 2009. Download The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America, DB 69976

Cover image of The Big Thirst

The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water
By Charles Fishman
DB 74346, Available as BARD download
Author discusses human dependence on water and explains Americans' carefree use of the resource in the twentieth century. Describes the new era of water scarcity in places like Atlanta, Georgia; Melbourne, Australia; and Barcelona, Spain. Relates the effects of the shortage on the ways people live, work, and relax. 2011. Download The Big Thirst, DB 50549

Cover image of Climate of Hope

Climate of Hope: How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet
By Michael Bloomberg
DB 87921, Available as BARD download
Former mayor of New York City Bloomberg and former Sierra Club chairman Pope examine strategies for countering climate change. They present solutions that they believe will make the world healthier, suggest ways cities and government can be more effective with initiatives, and propose policies to better combat environmental depredations. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2017. Download Climate of Hope, DB 87921

Cover image of The Diversity of Life

The Diversity of Life
By Edward O. Wilson
DB 35820, Available as BARD download
The author, winner of several scientific awards and two Pulitzer Prizes, guides the reader in layman's language through the complexities of life forms. Wilson focuses on the relatively new concept of ecology, as well as the evolution of species and the development of biodiversity. And he addresses the destruction to species and ecosystems by humans, accompanied by a plea for ways to reverse this trend. 1992 Download The Diversity of Life, DB 35820

Cover image of Earth: The Sequel

Earth: The Sequel
By Fred Krupp
DB 66726, Available as BARD download
Environmental Defense Fund president Krupp and journalist Horn present market-based solutions for Earth's climate crisis that they posit will generate new industries and economic growth. Authors profile alternative-energy entrepreneurs and urge U.S. leadership to set limits on carbon emissions to enable fair competition in world markets. Includes resources. 2008. Download Earth: The Sequel, DB 66726

Cover image of Four Fish

Four Fish
By Paul Greenberg
DB 71558, LT 11641, Available as BARD download
Journalist discusses humans' historical relationship with wild fish, especially salmon, sea bass, cod, and tuna. Describes travels to fishing areas, offers suggestions on managing marine ecosystems, and investigates the differences between farm and wild-caught fish. Strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2010. Download Four Fish, DB 71558

Cover image of Guns, Germs and Steel

Guns, Germs and Steel
By Jared Diamond
DB 46548, Available as BARD download
Examines the disparate formation of human societies around the world in terms of wealth and power. Argues that accidents of geography and environment, rather than racial differences, favored some civilizations over others for developing agriculture, social institutions, and technologies. 1997 Download Guns, Germs and Steel, DB 46548

Cover image of The Hidden Life of Trees

The Hidden Life of Trees
By Peter Wohlleben
DB 86697, BR 21761, Available as BARD download
Forester shares his observations as well as research by others into the networked nature of trees and forests. Discusses communication by trees, the life cycle of an organic forest versus one planted, and the interaction of trees with their greater environment. Translated from the original 2015 German edition. Bestseller. 2016. Download The Hidden Life of Trees, DB 86697
, Download the Hidden Life of Trees, BR 21761

Cover image of Hot, Flat, and Crowded

Hot, Flat, and Crowded
By Thomas Friedman
DB 67562, LT 08871, Available as BARD download
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author of The World Is Flat (DB 60317, LT 5066) examines the contributions of global warming, population growth, and the rise of the middle class to Earth's instability. Urges the adoption of strategies for clean, efficient, renewable energy to improve the environment and revitalize America. Bestseller. 2008. Download Hot, Flat, and Crowded, DB 67562

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