Environmental writer Becher (Biodiversity: A Reference Handbook) has produced a very readable and engaging biographical reference on more than 350 American environmental leaders. Most are currently active, although there are also some historical figures from the last 300 years. Many will be familiar, e.g., Rachel Carson, Aldo Leopold, John Muir, Chief Seattle, and Wallace Stegner. The most interesing reading comes from profiles of the not-so-famous figuresDbehind-the-scenes people like organic gardening pioneer Robert Rodale and Diane and Kent Whealey, who help conserve heritage varieties of fruits and vegetables. Among the other biographies are those of newer activist Julia "Butterfly" Hill, writers Edward Abbey, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Barry Lopez, and Henry David Thoreau, political figures Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, and Theodore Roosevelt, and "ordinary" citizens Lois Gibbs (Love Canal) and Karen Silkwood, along with "celebrities" Ed Begley Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Ted Turner. Entries range from two to three pages in length, and each has a brief bibliography with cross references when applicable and some photographs. The diversity of the biographees is what makes this work unique. Highly recommended for high school, academic, and public libraries needing environmental biographical information.DEva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Clarkston
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"This reference title will fill a gap in those high school collections lacking environmental resources. Recommended."
See all Editorial Reviews
