Customer Reviews

In a Dark Wood: The Fight over Forests and the New Tyranny of Ecology

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While Chase does an admirable job here of blending a whole lot of intellectual history with a modern clash of ideology, one can't help but wonder who he is actually writing this for. At times insightful, others discursive, but always readable, it seems that the main point of this book is to sway the fencesitters and romantics in the big cities to not be so quick in sending a check upon viewing a demonstration on the evening news. Ultimately, Chase shows his hand by portraying the loggers of the Northwest as the victims, while the 'Earth First!ers' are their hedonistic nemesis bent on growing marijuana and making love in their idealized wilderness. These nefarious 'eco-terrorists' are the bad guys here, and the poor loggers clinging to the vestiges of family values are the tragic heroes of perseverence. Not exactly the critical analysis one would hope for. Nevertheless, if the reader transcends the obvious bias of the author (which seems to stem from left-over dissatisfaction and anger with liberalized 60's university politics) there are other, deeper messages well worth noting.

The main strength lies in his analysis of ecological 'science' and uncovering many of its inherant fallacies. The reader will do well to expand this theme in taking from this lengthy tome the lesson that far from being based on immutable laws, Science as a whole is as subjective as philosophy. Indeed, Science is in large part determined and shaped by philosophy. As such, while Chase spends much time debunking the environmentalists by discrediting the foundations of ecology, he ultimately hurts his own thesis by conveniently appropriating Science in justifying the plight of the logger. It is a catch-22 of sorts that Chase hides well, but he can not escape from it entirely.

All in all, it is a good read and certainly houses something for all. Those simpathetic to the logging industry will find little to disagree with, while those whose hearts lie in the ideal of pristine wilderness will come away feeling as though they've been chastized by their stodgy uncle. Somewhere in the middle is where this book has the most value as, despite the ubiquitous timbre of distaste towards environmentalists, it offers an intriguing critique of man's overdependance on 'Science' and his ability to manipulate it for whatever his or her ideals demand. Ultimately, the recognition that Science is inherantly a human construct shaped by our own capacities of comprehension demands that we stop and reconsider our motives for either cutting or saving trees, rather than simply relying on some numbers to make those decisions for us. That is the message that makes this book worth reading: Think, people, think....then act.

With his book, In a Dark Wood, Alston Chase has written a story about the ecological struggle over the forests, but in doing so he has also developed the history of an idea. The idea is really many ideas, incorporating questions about the definition of nature, the science of ecology and the question of eco-systems -- just what are they and what should we do about them.

"It is a tale without heroes or villains, in which the bad guy isn't a person at all but an idea"(p xi)

His story begins with people, from John Muir and Henry David Thoreau to the eco-revolutionaries of the seventies and eighties. But the story also begins with the question: What is Nature? For it is the battle over nature that guides the narrative and the history of the ecological movement. His focus is primarily on the forests of Northwestern United States, and the battles to protect "endangered" species like the Spotted Owl. In doing so he provides a tremendous amount of detail about incidents that, like a mosaic of tiles, fit together to create a story. But the battle is also philosophical and political. Alston points out the unintended consequences of ideas that are not fully understood, of actions that are based on questionable science or faulty and limited studies, and the irrational passions that drove many of the people in the story, both good and bad, to take unreasonable actions. Ultimately it becomes a story about those who insist on determining the one way that all must follow to do what is good for man, forgetting the folly that has occurred throughout history when that has been attempted in the past.

For Chase his ne plus ultra was a focus on people and ideas, devising a book interesting to all who are stimulated by the history of ideas and the actions men take. It also allowed him to be balanced in his approach, emphasizing science and carefully pointing out what we do know and, more importantly, what we do not know.

In A Dark Wood is compellingly-written, and Chase has a couple of valid criticisms of modern-day environmentalists. As a fan of Playing God in Yellowstone, I looked forward to reading the book. However, from my vantage point as a journalist with a decade of experience covering West Coast environmental issues, the book is essentally ruined by a cavalier approach to documentable facts.

We're not talking about typos or errors of interpretation here, we're talking inexcusable sloppiness. Noted sports figure Pete Roselle, for instance, is not to my knowledge associated with Earth First, as Chase states on page 310 of the hardcover version. Maybe Chase means Earth First co-founder Mike Roselle? That's the most major of the name glitches, but there seems to be at least one per chapter. Chase refers repeatedly to the "Berkeley Environmental Center" (as opposed to the Ecology Center, the actual and readily verifiable name), to San Jose activist Richard Serina (whose name is really Robert Serina), etc.

These errors, perhaps indicative of a need for greater skill among Houghton Mifflin's editing staff, would be excusable were it not that Chase seems to extend the same careless lackadaisy to allegations more serious than the spelling of a name. He asserts as fact the idea that Earth Firsters called the family of a logger killed on the job to say "he had it coming." What's his source for this allegation? Interviews with two unrelated timber industry advocates. Maybe such a hideously insensitive call happened and maybe it didn't, but Chase couldn't be bothered to corroborate the assertion - by asking the family, for instance - before stating it as bald fact. At another point, Chase castigates environmentalists who sabotage logging equipment as "destroying property of people who make far less money than they do." Oh, really? Did Chase survey those green miscreants and obtain their W-2s for the year? Or is the assertion like so many others in the

I'm all for criticism of the environmental movement, and I almost always enjoy reading books by people I disagree with. But it's one axe so carelessly to the grindstone that it won't cut fog. The two or three good points Chase makes about modern environmentalism are lost in that fog. Chase should have known better

While I do think there is a bit of a right slant to this work, some of the factual information given did seem to make sense, and was information I was not aware of before.

This book lost me on some section, and others had me riveted. Over all I did enjoy my experience and felt I learned alot.

Alston Chase has written a wonderful book for those who want to know the truth about the environment, it's myths and realities. This is a scholarly book written like an adventure novel. It is obviously well researched and documented. . He tears through the myths and pseudo science and romanticism which has taken a theory bordering on a new science to a quasi religious/political philosphy. A man with impeccable credentials and the facts he cuts through sentiment and the dangerous dogmatic ideology of ecology looking for what the truth is re the environment. What he uncovers is a tyrannical mind set based on little more then romanticized nature worship. Without a clear and logical thought process in the search for the truth it will be difficult for future environmentalism to be relegated to anything but a "know nothing" philosophy demanding strict obedience to unproven bad science which in the end will work against saving the environment. He is right on when he says what we need are "livable communities", not enclaves of nature crammed next sprawling development. He also suggests that modern environmentalism is its own worst enemy and the very thing it does not want, unchecked development, is what it will get unless it becomes less romantic and more realistic. I have read the book 3 times and get something new each time. For those who want the truth and not propaganda. Be prepared to have some of your favorite environmental theories blown away. Enjoy the ride. I did.

This book is must read to understand the true origins of the environmental movement. Chase uses the fight over logging the forests in the northwest to trace the origins of the environmental movement, and obliterates the environmental movement's claim that they are about sustainability. The theology behind the environmental movement is akin to that of most religions in the prophecy of apocalypse and salvation through redemption. Chase's point is that ecology, with some key false assumptions, forms the basis of this theology.

Alston Chase brings to this study a true gift of scholarship, and the courage to pursue truth and ignore what is trendy or popular. His approach is refreshing and independent, and everything in this study is thoroughly documented. We need more Alston Chases, especially in a time when environmentalists are unwittingly damaging the environment because they haven't done their homework, and because they treat ecology as a secular religion. This will be the standard work in its field.

The book 'In a Dark Wood' is one of the best concerning a subject that everybody thinks they know so much about. There really is not much in the way of middle ground on this subject.Or, rather, there is if only people would allow their minds to travel through new doorways.Thats where Alston Chase takes the reader.The book tells both sides of the story concerning logging and wildlife habitat. The remarkable achievement here is that a reasonably good understanding of a very complex problem is the outcome. Peter Fonda acclaimed 'In a Dark Wood' as a tough love solution.

Dr. Chase has effectively cataloged the history of the "environmentalist movement" in the forests of the Northwest. His brilliant expose' of the socio-politics of forestry gives is us the opportunity to take a breath of fresh air and to be re-dedicated to the science and art of silviculture. The final conclusions leave us with the knowledge that emotion-based solutions to resource management problems are a poor substitute for science. Any reader of this fine contribution made by Chase should consider getting involved with dispelling the myths of eco-terrorists everywhere.

This book is the required text for an English college writing course here at MSU Bozeman. At first glance, the thought of Ecology being a myth is something to laugh at. But after reading this book, one learns that Ecology is not based on science or mathematics, but on personal feelings and theory. It is not a science, but rather an idea that has been accepted due to ignorance of the recipients. Did you know that because of "selective cutting", our timber volume has nearly DOUBLED since logging first began? You will find other very interesting and calming FACTS in this excellent book. A must-read for every enviromentalist, conservationalist and every American for that matter.