Chesapeake Bay Blues: Science, Politics, and the Struggle to Save the Bay (American Political Challenges) [Paperback]

Howard R. Ernst (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0742523519 | ISBN-13: 978-0742523517 | Publication Date: June 2003

The Chesapeake Bay restoration effort has been touted as the nation's premier environmental restoration program. Yet the Bay and the living systems it supports remain in dismally poor condition, with fisheries in decline and drinking water in danger. This book addresses the Chesapeake Bay as a political problem and reveals how the political process has worked against the interests of science, the public, and environmental advocates all at once. Author Howard Ernst shows that the forces driving environmental degradation are sown deeply into the political soul of America, posing menacing challenges to those fighting to restore large ecosystems like the Chesapeake Bay. The book serves as a political roadmap for the future, suggesting how a different course of policy action is needed to 'Save the Bay.'

Editorial Reviews

Review

Chesapeake Bay Blues cuts through the rhetorical muck, which, like the algae that blooms in the bay, tends to shut out the light. (The Washington Post )

Ernst has written a book that is packed with information on the politics and science behind the past, present, and future management of the Chesapeake Bay. He digs deep into the exterior and interior layers of policy and procedure that surround Chesapeake Bay protection measures. Ernst presents complex ideas and concepts in detail while still making them accessible to beginning students or interested lay readers--no small task. Backed by a plethora of cited references, Ernst goes further than most authors and provides a detailed "Notes" section on interesting and necessary background and "See also" information for each chapter. A wise choice for all academic libraries as well as for all public libraries. (Library Journal )

Chesapeake Bay Blues should motivate a wake-up call for all Bay lovers. A reading must for all concerned. (former Maryland state senator Bernie Fowler )

Howard Ernst paints a stunning portrait of the Chesapeake Bay with a broad brush, yet fills the canvas with documented details of challenges to water quality, living resources and management programs. The text is written with energy and conviction without being melodramatic. A most valuable contribution to a growing library on the Bay. (Gerald L. Baliles Baliles )

Howard Ernst's book is an original and needed view of the long struggle to restore the Chesapeake Bay to health. It's readable and thoughtful. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the Bay, or in environmental restoration in general. (Tom Horton )

Chesapeake Bay Blues is an exceptionally rich and insightful analysis of how the nation's largest estuary fell victim to human greed, economic expansion, and pollution. Ernst skillfully surveys the multiple causes of the Bay's deterioration, with appropriate attention both to environmental science and public policy issues. The book offers a highly readable and well-informed account of threats to the Bay's health and what might be done to restore both the ecosystem and the enormous economic values it brings to the region. (Michael Kraft )

Howard Ernst, author of Chesapeake Bay Blues, has made quite a splash in the environmental community. (The Annapolis Capital )

I hope Chesapeake Bay Blues is widely read and debated, because business as usual—even tweaked a bit—isn't going to cut it for restoring the Chesapeake. (Tom Horton The Baltimore Sun )

Ernst has made some bold conclusions and in doing so, he's bucking the conventional wisdom esposed by the conglomeration of interests involved in the Bay restoration effort. (Bay Weekly )

Ernst has provided an excellent history of natural resource preservation. He does a marvelous job of accurately defining the Chesapeake Bay and its physical, chemical, and biological inputs and outputs. Ernst has done a good service for all of us interested in the Chesapeake Bay by telling its fascinating story. (The Heartland Institute )

This splendidly written, carefully documented account of the ecological and economic devastation of one of the nation's great resources is a sad commentary on the human race. (Ecology )

A very important book. The book is an eye-opening exploration into the 'inability of the political process to adequately address environmental problems.' (Spinsheet )

Very well writtern and provides an easily understandable description of the political challenges faced by those proposing new or more stringent enviornmental regulations or programs. (Journal Of Environmental Quality )

Anyone who claims to care about the Chesapeake Bay should read Chesapeake Bay Blues by Howard R. Ernst, a Naval Academy political science professor. [Chesapeake Bay Blues] is the first serious look at the Chesapeake that targets with precision what Ernst considers the real problem: politics, and the unwillingness of the public, business, industry, science, environmentalists or the government at any level to acknowledge the complexity and severity of the issues and deal with them realistically. (The Washington Post )

Very well written and provides an easily understandable description of the political challenges faced by those proposing new or more stringent environmental regulations or programs. (Roger A. Burke Journal Of Environmental Quality )

About the Author

Howard R. Ernst is assistant professor of political science at the United States Naval Academy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742523519
• ISBN-13: 978-0742523517
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #273,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely comprehensive, unexpected and interesting, March 15, 2009

By 

Salty Pepper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chesapeake Bay Blues: Science, Politics, and the Struggle to Save the Bay (American Political Challenges) (Paperback)

This book does not only talk about the politics that affect the bay but also breifly explains its other problems. However, it is mostly focused on politics, and that's great considering that every single other book has only dealt with enviornmental problems. It sheds light on topics that are usually not thought about and explains them thoroughly, with detail, and a precise, impacting style. It's good. Buy it, even if you don't need it.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a study of what really will "Save the Bay", August 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Chesapeake Bay Blues: Science, Politics, and the Struggle to Save the Bay (American Political Challenges) (Paperback)

Chesapeake Bay Blues, a book that addresses the Bay as a political problem and reveals how the political process has worked against the interests of science, the public, and environmental advocates all at once. Author Howard Ernst provides a political roadmap for the future, suggesting how a different course of policy action is needed to "Save the Bay."[]

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars essential reading for those interested in the Bay, May 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Chesapeake Bay Blues: Science, Politics, and the Struggle to Save the Bay (American Political Challenges) (Paperback)

This book is a must-read for those concerned about the Chesapeake Bay and those interested in environmental politics. Highly recommended.