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The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet Hardcover – July 11, 2023

by Jeff Goodell (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,486 ratings
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New York Times best-selling journalist Jeff Goodell presents a "masterful, bracing" (David Wallace-Wells) examination of the impact that temperature rise will have on our lives and on our planet, offering a vital new perspective on where we are headed, how we can prepare, and what is at stake if we fail to act.​

 “When heat comes, it’s invisible. It doesn’t bend tree branches or blow hair across your face to let you know it’s arrived…. The sun feels like the barrel of a gun pointed at you.” 
 
The world is waking up to a new reality: wildfires are now seasonal in California, the Northeast is getting less and less snow each winter, and the ice sheets in the Arctic and Antarctica are melting fast.  Heat is the first order threat that drives all other impacts of the climate crisis.  And as the temperature rises, it is revealing fault lines in our governments, our politics, our economy, and our values. The basic science is not complicated: Stop burning fossil fuels tomorrow, and the global temperature will stop rising tomorrow. Stop burning fossil fuels in 50 years, and the temperature will keep rising for 50 years, making parts of our planet virtually uninhabitable.  It’s up to us.  The hotter it gets, the deeper and wider our fault lines will open.  
 
The Heat Will Kill You First is about the extreme ways in which our planet is already changing. It is about why spring is coming a few weeks earlier and fall is coming a few weeks later and the impact that will have on everything from our food supply to disease outbreaks. It is about what will happen to our lives and our communities when typical summer days in Chicago or Boston go from 90° F to 110°F. A heatwave, Goodell explains, is a predatory event— one that culls out the most vulnerable people.  But that is changing. As heatwaves become more intense and more common, they will become more democratic.  
 
As an award-winning journalist who has been at the forefront of environmental journalism for decades, Goodell’s new book may be his most provocative yet, explaining how extreme heat will dramatically change the world as we know it.  Masterfully reported, mixing the latest scientific insight with on-the-ground storytelling, Jeff Goodell tackles the big questions and uncovers how extreme heat is a force beyond anything we have reckoned with before.

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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Little, Brown and Company
  4. Publication date
    July 11, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6.4 x 1.31 x 9.65 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0316497576
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0316497572
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Kim Stanley Robinson, Naomi Klein, David Wallace Wells, scientific, future, world, climate
heat, death, climate change, extreme, malaria, global

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Entertaining and thoroughly researched, Jeff Goodell brings the subject of climate-driven extreme heat to life in his comprehensive look at heat’s substantial impact on humanity’s past, present, and future.”―Former Vice President Al Gore

“Through stellar reporting, artful storytelling and fascinating scientific explanations, Goodell brings to life heat as a world re-making force. In his skillful hands, the climbing temperature is revealed as an invisible, planetary animator that is already pushing landscapes, bodies, and social systems to their limits – and, unless we change course, it will take humanity to an oven-like climate that will feel more like a war than a home. This searing plea for a better, fairer and cooler future should be read by anyone with skin in the game – which is every single one of us.”―Naomi Klein, author of the New York Times bestselling This Changes Everything

"In his fast-paced new book about climate change. . .Goodell denounces the term 'global warming' for sounding 'gentle and soothing.' As this terrifying book makes exceptionally clear, thinking we can just crank up the A.C. is a dangerous way to live. This is a propulsive book, one to be raced through; the planet is burning, and we are running out of time."―Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times

"The climate crisis brings no greater threat than the prospect of deadly extreme heat. In The Heat Will Kill You First, Jeff Goodell brings a mix of fantastic storytelling, lucid science communication, and eternal optimism in detailing the profound threat we face with the climate crisis and what we can still do about it.”―Michael Mann, Presidential Distinguished Professor, University of Pennsylvania and author of The New Climate War

“It is already a new world, hotter than ever before in human history and getting rapidly hotter still. The Heat Will Kill You First is a masterful, bracing, vivid portrait of the future we now know will be shaped, like clay, by that heat—a godlike force, as Goodell writes, governing all life conducted under its profound and brutal reign.” ―David Wallace-Wells, author of The New York Times bestselling The Uninhabitable Earth

“This is a scary book.  It humanizes global warming by telling amazing stories of individuals already affected by it, making very clear the danger we are putting ourselves in.  We all have a cognitive map in our head that includes a near future, which is sketchier than our map of the present, being made of our hopes and fears.  This book will sharpen that sketch in electrifying ways.  You won’t see the world the same way after reading it.” ―Kim Stanley Robinson, New York Times bestselling author of The High Sierra and The Ministry for the Future

"If you have ever sweated through a heatwave and wondered how much worse things are going to get as temperatures continue to rise around the planet, then Jeff Goodell's The Heat Will Kill You First is just the book for you. Meticulously researched yet thoroughly readable, this is at once a portrait of a heat-disrupted world and a primer for how to prepare for it."―Amitav Ghosh, bestselling author of The Nutmeg’s Curse and The Great Derangement

 “As the planet warms, all our assumptions are going to be upended. Jeff Goodell asks us to imagine the impact on our minds and bodies, our communities and economies. The Heat Will Kill You First is essential reading for anyone who cares about the future.” ―Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Sixth Extinction

"[Goodell] provides an intimate look at the effects of our planet's warming on individual lives...another stark, crucial reminder that we are running out of time to save humankind."―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

"Once you read this book, you may never see a hot summer day the same way again.  Jeff Goodell gives heat names, faces, stories, and emotions that you will find hard to forget."―Andrea Dutton, MacArthur Fellow and Professor of Geology, University of Wisconsin–Madison

“With his trademark blend of meticulous research, vivid storytelling, and unflinching honesty, Goodell exposes the devastating toll that extreme heat is already taking on communities around the world, and the inspiring efforts of scientists, activists, and everyday people who are working tirelessly to find solutions. Urgent, compelling, and deeply informative, The Heat Will Kill You First is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our planet…I couldn’t put it down.”―Eleni Myrivili, Global Chief Heat Officer, UN-Habitat

"In 14 whirlwind chapters, Goodell, a longtime climate journalist and contributing editor for Rolling Stone, earns his book’s grim title. The chapters travel from the Arctic Circle to the tropics and back again, tracing the effects of heat on melting ice andsuffering corals, but also on enthused mosquitoes, whose ranges are stretching wider as temperatures warm....The scariest thing about the heat-infused future, Goodell notes, is that we don’t treat it with the respect and concern that it deserves."―The Washington Post

"Astonishing" ―Time, Health Matters

"An urgent warning."―PBS NewsHour

"A remarkable exploration of the deadly consequences of rising temperatures...The book’s biggest takeaway is that the harm from heat falls unfairly on those least able to protect themselves....Unlike some climate-science writers who drown readers in data and seem to write only for other activists, Mr Goodell tells his story colourfully. Readers meet people working to raise awareness of climate change by figuring out which extreme weather events can be attributed to it, and helping its victims by leaving water for migrants crossing the Arizona desert or campaigning for safer conditions for farmworkers….The Heat Will Kill You First could not be more timely.”―The Economist

"Heat has a public relations problem, argues journalist Jeff Goodell in his latest book, The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet. Most of us are familiar with the temperature readings we see on the nightly news, usually the temperature of the air around us or the heat index—a gauge of air temperature and humidity. But during the latest U.S. heat wave, some areas reported what’s known as wet bulb temperatures—a measurement of the lowest temperature that the evaporation of water can cool air—of 94 degrees. 

This measurement in ambient air temperature may not seem like a big deal to many people. But it’s a dangerous measurement in wet bulb temperatures, Goodell explains in his book. The higher the wet bulb temperature, the less effective evaporation is, and the harder it is for our sweat to cool us down."

―New Republic

"Read this book and then look at the temperatures in the northern hemisphere. That's the Anthropocene: so hot, it's chilling."―Jeff Sparrow, The Saturday Paper

“They’re no disputing that Goodell is an engaging writer at the top of his game.  He's like the love child of Ed Yong and James Patterson, with a little bit of Rachel Carson thrown in, which is to say he writes science-based dystopian thrillers."―Jennifer Graham, The Hippo

"As The Heat Will Kill You First makes clear, the time to mitigate the sources and effects of rising temperatures is now."―Inside Higher Ed

“Goodell’s brilliant and sobering book can help inspire a critical mass of people to “reimagine everything” and join the fight to create a habitable future.”―Sierra Magazine

“'Prescient' and 'gripping' are two words that come to mind when describing Goodell’s latest book. Goodell guides us clearly with clear science and great storytelling.”―The Los Angeles Times

"The Heat Will Kill You First is arguably also one of the most eloquent books — and one of the most terrifying — to hit the global bookshelf. Because Heat brings home the perilous urgency of the current moment like no other."
 
"the extraordinary power of Goodell’s narrative is the way he renders cutting-edge science understandable, adroitly interweaving scientific detail, relevant statistics and conversations with scientists with the stories of ordinary individuals to drive home the invisible power of “this form of heat that has been unleashed upon us through the burning of fossil fuels”.―Bron Sibree, Sunday Times

“The Heat Will Kill You First spans the globe, with Goodell constantly on assignment, jumping from melting icebergs in Antarctica to the scalding streets of Chennai. His stories make heat, and the dangers it incites, visible in new ways.”―John Washington, New York Review of Books

About the Author

Jeff Goodell’s latest book is The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet. He is the author of six previous books, including The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World, which was a New York Times Critics Top Book of 2017.  He has covered climate change for more than two decades at Rolling Stone and discussed climate and energy issues on NPR, MSNBC, CNN,  CNBC,  ABC, NBC, Fox News and The Oprah Winfrey Show.  He is a Senior Fellow at the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center and a 2020 Guggenheim Fellow. 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company (July 11, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316497576
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316497572
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4 x 1.31 x 9.65 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,486 ratings

About the author

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Jeff Goodell

Jeff Goodell

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Jeff Goodell’s most recent book, The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World, was a New York Times Critics Top Book of 2017. He is the author of five previous books, including Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future, and a Contributing Editor at Rolling Stone, where he has covered climate change for more than a decade. As a commentator on energy and climate issues, he has appeared on NPR, MSNBC, CNN, CNBC, ABC, NBC, Fox News and The Oprah Winfrey Show. He is a Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council and a 2020 Guggenheim Fellow.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,486 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book readable, interesting, and well-researched. They also appreciate the thoughtful author and great mix of climate history, science, and personal stories. Readers describe the content as excellent, beautifully written, and terrifying.

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ReadabilityTopicContent
45 customers mention "Readability"45 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and interesting, making its points clearly. They also say it's a must-read for city planners, sports enthusiasts, farmers, and people living in areas impacted by climate change. Customers also say the book is beautifully researched, easy to follow, and supported by a short glossary and notes.

"...Easy and very relatable read. Not a "fun read", but factual and obviously well backed by writers research and science." Read more

"...However, don’t let that deter you; there is plenty of solid research and substance here." Read more

"...It’s all here, everything I’ve wanted to better understand, beautifully researched, well-travelled and described by a talented journalist sharing..." Read more

"...Well written. Well researched. Very pleased!" Read more

34 customers mention "Topic"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful, thought-provoking, and scary. They say the examples used are striking and effective. Readers also say the book helps them be more alert and in tune with the world. They also mention the book is a great mix of climate history, climate science, and personal stories from around the world, and that it helps them to be more in tune.

"...This should be mandatory reading for everyone. This book is thought provoking and scary at the same time." Read more

"...I found this book both educational and interesting. Recommend it." Read more

"...This book was a revelation to me. I read the kindle version and purchased a hardbound to share with my neighbors and friends...." Read more

"There was some good material here and eye-opening in several ways but his alarmist tactics went too far...." Read more

23 customers mention "Content"19 positive4 negative

Customers find the content excellent, interesting, and relatable. They also say the book is compelling, scary, and factual.

"...Easy and very relatable read. Not a "fun read", but factual and obviously well backed by writers research and science." Read more

"...This book is thought provoking and scary at the same time." Read more

"This is an easily accessible, well told story about how we are making the world too hot for human society as we know it today...." Read more

"...this added together provides the reader with a very readable and sobering story for what is occurring and what is to come." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

mb
5.0 out of 5 stars This Brings It Home!
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2024
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If you are looking for a comprehensive review over the years and what is currently happening, this book is a must read. Easy and very relatable read. Not a "fun read", but factual and obviously well backed by writers research and science.
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Eleanor Harper
5.0 out of 5 stars very enlightening
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024
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I recommend this book to anyone interested in our home, Planet Earth. This should be mandatory reading for everyone. This book is thought provoking and scary at the same time.
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Artemis825
4.0 out of 5 stars thought provoking and informative
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2023
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I enjoyed this book. I learned a lot; it was the kind of book where I’ve been sharing bits from it in conversation with friends and family. The main weakness of the book is evidenced in the title: a slight trend towards sensationalism in language. However, don’t let that deter you; there is plenty of solid research and substance here.
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Artfully descriptive page-turner
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024
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What exactly is at stake? It’s all here, everything I’ve wanted to better understand, beautifully researched, well-travelled and described by a talented journalist sharing back story as well as the stories.I couldn’t put it down. We are lucky to have talent like this writing apolitically, about the greatest opportunities for survival in our time. We all play a part that begins by understanding. I hope everyone reads this book.
One person found this helpful
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EMom in PA
5.0 out of 5 stars Very relevant
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2024
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I love reading books, especially if I feel I am learning something from them. I found this book both educational and interesting. Recommend it.
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JEANNE
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2024
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This is a great book! Now I know why and how the humid heat of summer, especially This summer, has knocked me for a loop. Well written. Well researched. Very pleased!
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DustyFish
5.0 out of 5 stars Every Parent Should Read This Summer
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
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With our days already getting warm and warmer we need to be more aware of how our bodies work in the heat. This book was a revelation to me. I read the kindle version and purchased a hardbound to share with my neighbors and friends. Parts read like a novel so don't think it's all dull sciencey stuff.
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James Crawford
4.0 out of 5 stars frightening facts
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2024
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I know that the general public can only take so much science and actual facts, but at times i was disappointed by the anecdotal nature of some of the stories that accompanied the facts. At several levels this is truly and alarming book that needs to be widely read.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Angeles U. Brown
2.0 out of 5 stars Envío rápido libro maltratado y sucio
Reviewed in Mexico on July 3, 2024
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Este libro no era nuevo, está sucio y maltratado, llegó rápido, pero decía nuevo
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Angeles U. Brown
2.0 out of 5 stars Envío rápido libro maltratado y sucio
Reviewed in Mexico on July 3, 2024
Este libro no era nuevo, está sucio y maltratado, llegó rápido, pero decía nuevo
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Book - the Heat will Kill you First
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2024
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Absorbing and understandable book covering all the issues relation to climate change
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Deborah Shayne
5.0 out of 5 stars The Heat Will Kill You First
Reviewed in Italy on August 30, 2023
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Great book about a scary prospect for all of us. Each chapter details an aspect of the effects of global warming. Well written and fascinating.
One person found this helpful
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mishmish
5.0 out of 5 stars Our Scorching Planet
Reviewed in France on August 29, 2023
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Like his earlier work The Water Will Come, this recent book by Jeff Goodell is at the same time a terrifying read, an instructive scientific work, an uplifting view of our human home, the planet, a page turner and a book that remains with you long after you have read the last page.
With striking examples of the effects of an ever hotter planet on us humans and on all other life around us, the author forces us to understand what effect heat has now on our lives and what effect it will have on the lives of all life in the future. This book should be required reading in all schools and by all governments around the world!
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James F Lockett
5.0 out of 5 stars If you love your planet, read this book!
Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2024
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This is a “must read” book for any citizen of planet Earth, Global warming is not just another scientific paradigm; it is a very real phenomenon which if left unattended will be the DEATH of us all. Why do I know this? To find out, read this book!!,
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