The Anthropocene Reviewed

Essays on a Human-Centered Planet

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The Anthropocene Reviewed (Hardcover, 2021, Penguin)

Hardcover, 304 pages

English language

Published Sept. 5, 2021 by Penguin.

ISBN:
978-0-525-55521-6
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OCLC Number:
1249448637
ASIN:
0525556532
Audible ASIN:
B08GL11MDJ
Goodreads:
55145261

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4 stars (1 review)

The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale—from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar.

Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity. As a species, we are both far too powerful and not nearly powerful enough, a paradox that came into sharp focus as we faced a global pandemic that both separated us and bound us together.

John Green’s gift for storytelling shines throughout this masterful collection. The Anthropocene Reviewed is a open-hearted exploration of the paths we forge and an unironic celebration of falling in love with the world.

2 editions

An assortment of podcast episodes tell of where we are in the world

4 stars

This book is a collection of short essays informal in tone, but with extensive sources cited, each considering some feature of our world whether man-made or natural, interpreted through a human lens. The word 'anthropocene' in the title refers to the geologic Epoch we are in now where the the changes the planet is subjected to are dominated by the influence of humanity occupation of its surface. So yes, of course, there's climate change, there are mass extinctions along with global pandemics, but then there are also works of art, scenes of astonishing natural beauty, and bizarre social manias that can only be understood through a human cultural viewpoint. Each essay ends with a numerical rating of the subjective goodness of the subject in question where five is the most excellent and one denotes something that is very barely tolerable. The author takes his review duties fairly seriously, paying attention …