Odum wrote the groundbreaking, now-classic textbook
Fundamen tals of Ecology; brought
ecosystem into the popular lexicon; and stirred up great controversy with his holistic view of nature. Craige, a colleague of Odum's at the University of Georgia, deftly chronicles Odum's life as a teacher, theorist, and activist, neatly setting in scientific and social contexts both his paradigm-altering vision of nature and his struggle to change the public's perception of Earth from "supply depot" to home. Greatly influenced (as was his brother and frequent coauthor) by his pioneering sociologist father, from whom he inherited his "compulsion to work" and "faith in social progress," Odum recognized that the ecosystem as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts, just as public good must come before private gain. As Craige celebrates her subject's many achievements, including his work to preserve Georgia's salt marshes and assess the environmental impact of nuclear waste, Odum emerges as a pivotal figure in the evolution of ecological science and environmental ethics.
Donna SeamanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"Deftly chronicles Odum's life as a teacher, theorist, and activist, neatly setting in scientific and social contexts both his paradigm-altering vision of nature and his struggle to change the public's perception of Earth from 'supply depot' to home.”--Booklist
"A captivating biography of one of the most influential ecologists of the twentieth century . . . An enjoyable book for both the professional interested in the history of modern ecology and the layperson interested in the impact Odum's vision of ecology has had on environmentalism."--Choice
"This book does not disappoint. . . . A lively, readable celebration of a fascinating, influential scientist, fortunate to live during a time of great change in science and politics . . . Captures the excitement involved in seeking a new way of making sense of nature, in the salt marshes off Georgia, or on the Eniwetok Atoll; as well as something of the passion with which a scientist sure of his facts engages in controversy."--Journal of the History of Biology
"Craige has placed the life of the individual in the historical context of his times. In turn, she has subscribed to Odum's philosophy—in biographical form—that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. For any one looking for a very readable glimpse into the life of one of the founders of the popular environmental movement and a quality introduction to his work, Craige's book is just that."--Environment and History
"Vividly portrays the influence of Odum's early family life, his introduction to the natural world, and his academic surroundings on his intellectual growth and creativity."--Southeastern Naturalist
"An admirable story of the contributions of a remarkable individual . . . Clearly traces the changes in the field of ecology during Odum's sixty years of teaching and writing."--Professional Geographer
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
