The Balance of Nature: Ecology's Enduring Myth [Hardcover]

John Kricher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0691138982 | ISBN-13: 978-0691138985

The idea of a balance of nature has been a dominant part of Western philosophy since before Aristotle, and it persists in the public imagination and even among some ecologists today. In this lively and thought-provoking book, John Kricher demonstrates that nature in fact is not in balance, nor has it ever been at any stage in Earth's history. He explains how and why this notion of a natural world in balance has endured for so long, and he shows why, in these times of extraordinary human influence on the planet's ecosystems, it is critical that we accept and understand that evolution is a fact of life, and that ecology is far more dynamic than we ever imagined.

The Balance of Nature traces the fascinating history of the science of ecology and evolutionary biology, from the discipline's early innovators to the advent of Darwin and evolution, to the brilliant and inquisitive scientific minds of today. Blending insights and entertaining stories from his own remarkable life in science, Kricher reveals how evolution is a powerful engine that drives ecological change, how nature is constantly in flux and, in effect, quite naturally out of balance--and how notions to the contrary are misguided and ultimately hazardous to us all.

The Balance of Nature forcefully argues that an understanding of the dynamic nature of ecology and evolution is essential to formulating policies of environmental ethics to guide humanity toward a more responsible stewardship of our planet's ecosystems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The author conveys his message in a clear writing style without using highly technical concepts or terminology. -- . "Shmaefsky, Choice

Kricher's book is of interest to environmental historians and historians of science not only on account of the information it contains, but also because within it there is so little of the scholarship of the history of the environmental sciences with which we, in the humanities and social sciences, are familiar. -- Jane Carruthers, Environment and History

With The Balance of Nature, John Kricher has done us the favor of producing the book our non-ecological parents should read. In a scant 200 pages of accessible prose, Kricher weaves together three themes about which any literate citizen should be aware. . . . The Balance of Nature hits its mark. Buy a copy for your parents, your students, and your children today. -- Aaron M. Ellison, Ecology

From the Inside Flap

"John Kricher masterfully describes the ancient origins of the concept of a balance of nature and its unquestioned incorporation into the thinking of many ecologists and conservationists. This concept implies an overarching purpose or design in the natural world, making it inconsistent with our understanding of how evolution works. Kricher shows that we can understand and protect natural ecosystems better by rejecting the assumption that nature is a well-designed machine and accepting the true complexity created by numerous interacting species."--Robert Askins, Connecticut College

"This is a highly readable account of ecology, rich in substance, metaphor, and examples. The author's main goal is to puncture the cozy idea that nature is in a state of balance. While the concept of balance fitted the philosophy of some of the ancient Greeks and their intellectual descendants, John Kricher explains how it has repeatedly failed the test of empirical science. Nature, he shows, is much more interesting."--Peter R. Grant, Princeton University

"A deft and inviting tour of ecology and evolution, a book of revelation about the balance of nature that really counts, namely that between ourselves and the living planet. This is an appealing read that reveals the most important story of human history."--Thomas E. Lovejoy, president of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment

"Kricher's new book challenges our long-held belief in the balance of nature. Presenting fascinating evidence in a highly readable style, Kricher makes the case that no, there is no balance within nature, but yes, we need a sounder ethic that trumpets the urgency that we must save our environment--now!"--Herb Raffaele, United States Fish and Wildlife Service

"Kricher is an excellent storyteller and this is an important story to tell. I thoroughly enjoyed this little book. It is chock full of interesting ideas that challenge conventional wisdom. The Balance of Nature is a fun read throughout, and will appeal to a broad range of readers both within and outside the discipline."--Richard Karban, coauthor of How to Do Ecology

"Kricher dispels the popularly held notion that nature exists in some single, harmonious balance, and shows how, as a consequence, we need to change the way we view nature. His passion and breadth of understanding come through very clearly. The Balance of Nature is a charming and very readable book."--Oswald Schmitz, Yale University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (April 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691138982
• ISBN-13: 978-0691138985
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a Professor of Biology at Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts. A graduate of Temple (B.A.) and Rutgers Universities (Ph.D.), I teach courses in ecology, ornithology, and vertebrate evolution.

I have conducted Earthwatch-sponsored research on migrant birds on their wintering grounds in Belize and I am the author of over 100 papers and articles in scientific journals, magazines, and newspapers. My most recent book, The Balance of Nature: Ecology's Enduring Myth, was published by Princeton University Press in spring of 2009. I have also authored Galapagos: A Natural History, published in hard-cover by Smithsonian Institution Press in 2002 and in soft-cover by Princeton University Press in 2006. Other books include A Neotropical Companion, and three ecology field guides (Eastern Forests, Rocky Mountain and Southwestern Forests, California and Pacific Northwest Forests) in the Peterson series. I have also done two recorded lecture series, one on dinosaurs and one on ecology, published by Modern Scholar. I have even authored coloring books and first guides on various aspects of nature ranging from dinosaurs to seashores.

My current writing project is a comprehensive book on Tropical Ecology to be published by Princeton University Press in 2011.

I am a Fellow in the American Ornithologists Union and have served as president of the Association of Field Ornithologists and president of the Wilson Ornithological Society.

I have led numerous trips to many places including Cape May, Block Island, coastal New England, Arizona, the Pacific Northwest, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Panama, and Trinidad. I have lectured for Linblad Tours of the Galapagos Islands, for Society Expeditions trips to Venezuela, Brazil, and Indonesia, and for Glacier Bay Cruise Lines in Alaska. My travels have also taken me to Tanzania, Antarctica, and numerous other places where wildlife abounds.

I spend a lot of time writing about where I have been and what I have learned in my travels. I have been an avid birder for just over a half century.

My wife Martha Vaughan and I divide our time between Pocasset, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod and Sunbury, Georgia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kricher's The Balance of Nature--a must read, June 6, 2009

By 

Professor Emeritus - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Balance of Nature: Ecology's Enduring Myth (Hardcover)

John Kricher has done a masterful job of tracing the long history of ideas about a "balance of nature" and presents well-crafted arguments that refute the concept. Nature is not now in balance nor has it ever been--nature is dynamic and constantly changing. The heart and soul of the book is his analysis of evolution as the major controlling factor in nature. Humans have had an inordinate impact on natural systems and Kricher makes a strong case that humanity's future depends on how we act towards the world's ecosystems. This is truly a marvelous book--a must read for anyone interested in ecology, evolution, or conservation--and that should be everyone.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evolution is ecology on a longer time scale, August 25, 2009

By 

ROROTOKO (rorotoko dot com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Balance of Nature: Ecology's Enduring Myth (Hardcover)

"The Balance of Nature" is on the ROROTOKO list of cutting-edge intellectual nonfiction. Professor Kricher's book interview ran here as cover feature on July 17, 2009.

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Balance of Nature Is A Metaphor, NOT A Reality., October 16, 2010

By 

R. A. Barricklow "Scaramouche" (Las Vegas NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Balance of Nature: Ecology's Enduring Myth (Hardcover)

The above title pretty much sums up the theme of the author. As he describes in his writing of the Neckar Cube: one way it seems embedded on the page, but looked at with a different perspective, it pops out. That is what the author manages to do for the layman in his well written, layed out, and thought out work. Very excellent! No doubt, in part do to both his teaching to and listening to His students.
The beginning chapters and subjects were the best. All are very good with the exception of the Global Climate Chapter. He is of the Al Gore school. I won't get into it, as many are as steadfast as I'am in their take on that subject matter. It is NOT a big deal, as far as his overall science.
What is a mjor disappointment with the whole field, and thus this book, as a representative work, is the absence, TOTAL absence of the chem trail issue of spraying over nearly a decade. Theses heavy metals, including aluminum and beryllium are certainly effecting the ecologies of the world. Simply google: Michael Murphy - What In THe World Are They Spraying?
Still I have to hand it to the author; he did change my point of view. It is a metaphor/therefore: five stars. The more authors can change views that are out of sync with reality, the better.