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| The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth | 
| Author: Edward O. Wilson
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $15.89
You Save: $6.06 (28%)
New (7) from $15.89
Avg. Customer Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 706212
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 160
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8
Dewey Decimal Number: 333.9516
ASIN: B001717522
Publication Date: September 5, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Not the Fittest June 8, 2007
4 out of 36 found this review helpful
The book didn't quite live up to its billing. I'd expected something that was not at all incendiary or overtly driven by scientific (evolution theory dogmatic) beliefs. Instead, the book came across much more as smelling of sarcasm with tones of "surely everyone knows this stuff". This is certainly scientific apologetics, without apology to its supposed intended audience. Staunch marcoevolutionists will smirk at the veiled selfaggrandizement. Creationists will find nothing new in the "others'" view. Those with feet in both camps still await the Rosetta Stone that bridges the gulf.
 The creation: An Appeal to Save LIfe on Earth May 14, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
The book is written as an "impassioned letter to a Southern Babtist Pastor". I'm not sure that this letter would convince a "Southern Babtist Pastor" to help in efforts to save the bioshpere. He does have good arguments that would convince persons in the scientific community that we must save the biodiverity of the earth.
E. O. Wilson is a gifted author and keeps it interesting.
Wonderful, and Not-Quite May 11, 2007
29 out of 34 found this review helpful
I enjoyed this book. It moved me; it contained a wealth of interesting information; it was exquisite writing. It fell short of its goals.
Wilson is a phenomenal writer. Like few others living today he can take the uninteresting and make it interesting to both scientist and layman. When you read him you actually get excited about bacteria living 2 miles under the surface of the Earth. He is passionate about his craft, natural history, and communicates that passion with excellent pedagogy.
Wilson has clearly shown, in this book and others, how urgent it is to change the way we treat the planet, and work to save the Earth. We are at a crux, where things are going horribly wrong as we enter the 6th and greatest Mass Extinction Event. But it is still possible to change the future, if we act now, and radically alter how we treat the rest of the life. Wilson's approach is to show how closely we are integrated with life, and one with the biosphere. For instance, Wilson points out how we are ecosystems in ourselves, with more bacterial cells in one human than there are human cells, seriously calling into question what it means to be human. What happens to one then happens to all.
Another theme of Wilson's is the incredible complexity of biology, by far the science of the 21st century in importance. There is the myriad of millions of species, most unknown. There is the level at which they interact, in complex ecology that is greater than the sum of its parts. And that ecology is constantly changing and evolving through time, so biology can not come close to being understood without looking through the billions of years past, and looking towards the future.
This was a wonderful book. I enjoyed it. And yet it fell short of the mark. In one minor point, Wilson uses Literal Creationist language of something being "only a theory", as if it were not proven. It is unconscionable that a scientist of Wilson's stature should misuse the term theory like that, compounding the common error of the laity in thinking that a theory is less than a law.
The bigger problem is Wilson's stated purpose, and the modus operandi of the book, that being to convince the archetypal Southern Baptist Pastor who believes in Literal Creationism. Wilson wants this pastor (and all those like him) to come to care for the environment. Wilson wants to argue that the pastor should do so because the Bible makes it clear that the Earth is important, and creation is beautiful. He hopes to capitalize on his past experience attending Baptist churches as a child.
Yet it would seem those past experiences are long forgotten. For he comes across as dismissive and even attacking on Literal Creationism and even basic Christian beliefs. Rather than fully embracing the call of God and the Bible to care for the environment, he pays lip-service to this, and in the process insults the beliefs of those he's trying to convince. This is not a way to get people to your side. I say this as one who was once in the darkness of Literal Creationism, and is still a committed Christian. I was able to look beyond the statements Wilson made to enjoy the biology of what he presented, because I am committed already to biology, the environment, and evolution. But from knowing many who are still in the Literal Creationist camp, and from my own experiences, I know that what he said was deeply offensive to them. Wilson doesn't try to bridge or speak to the needs and issues of the other. He is simply dismissive and patronizing in his tone towards Christians and Literal Creationists. Wilson even goes so far as to argue that science convincingly shows that evolution is the path that was used, and that there seems to be little need of a Deity. The former is true, the latter simply his opinion, but both are not helpful if one's stated aim is to convince the Literal Creationist or someone who dearly loves their Deity.
I highly recommend this book. But Wilson would be wise to rewrite and reprint it, with a completely different objective. That would fit better with what is actually written.
Great American Letter March 19, 2007
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
E.O. Wilson has an impressive curriculum vita to say the least. His experiences as a fieldworker in the area of insect biology and biological diversity are as well documented as his teaching career at Harvard University. This work, written as an open letter to (any) Southern Baptist pastor, is excellent for the rest of us as well. His thesis hits any reader where she or he lives: here on Earth. I have always disagreed with the idea that the Earth is merely a temporary vessel God has provided for souls to exploit like spoiled children. Wilson states this position eloquently and with authority. I highly suggest reading this short yet powerful book.
Wholly Creation March 12, 2007
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
After listening to E.O. Wilson's stirring lecture at Oklahoma State University, I found myself trying to assimilate gobs of information regarding conservation. During this search I read E.O. Wilson's most recent book; The Creation. It would be right to say, this book struck a chord with me. Written in the form of a lengthy letter to a southern Baptist pastor, Wilson pleas for usually conflicting institutions of science and religion to collaborate in their efforts to save our planet. Wilson writes with elegant clarity and devoted passion to the subject of biodiversity conservation. He reveals accurate as well as disturbing details about the overall health of the planet we live on. In addition, Wilson gives advice to readers on how to protect, teach, and sustain biodiversity for the future. A great read, not your average non fiction bedtime reading material.
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Wildlife, nature and the Environment
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