Andrew RevkinRezensionen

In dit boek wordt de kennis over het weer en enkele klimaataspecten weergegeven door korte stukjes geordend langs een tijdlijn. Dat is een interessante aanpak en de losse stukjes zijn ook goed leesbaar. Een goed boek voor iemand die af en toe iets over het weer wil lezen zonder dat hij een heel boek moet doorwerken.,

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Revkin's examination of Chico Mendes is far more than the story of his murder, or even his legacy on the workers in the Amazon rain forests. By taking a broadview look at Mendes' life and work, Revkin also tells the story of a debt slavery system and its slow undermining, and how the story of the rubber tappers and workers in the Amazon began as a human rights story which only later became a question of environmental or global concern.

Chico Mendes began his fight out of his love for the people in the rain forests; when informal education led him to encourage unions, organize workers, and fight for conservation, his eventual legacy was always rooted in his straight-forward desire for sustaining a way of life he'd always known, ideally in more livable conditions than imposed by the debt slavery which forced so many of the workers he knew to live without any options and all but starving.

Revkin's work examined every aspect of this story--the humans involved, the science involved, the history involved, and, of course, the money involved. Any reader who wants a look into the Amazon rainforests, or into struggles for human rights (moving out of debt slavery and poverty), will find a great deal to admire in this work.

Whether you come to the book for a look at the history, the conservation, or the story of Mendes and his legacy...it's worth your while.

Recommended.

The North Pole Was Here: Puzzles and Perils at the Top of the World is a truly engaging book that will be perfect for those budding explorers, scientists, and activists. Taking on the challenge of researching the history of the North Pole, the current predicament, the results of climate changes and mankind's tempering with mother nature, Revkin does a wonderful job drawing in the reader as we explore and learn so much more about the top of the world.

I love to read anything about the poles! They just fascinate me; I mean who doesn’t fantasize about the ends of the Earth? This book covers both the legends and lore of the northern most point as well as the science of the cold and white place. A good read for both the young and old.

This exciting book is certain to fascinate readers. Revkin, a New York Times reporter, relates his journey to the top of the world in the company of scientists studying climate changes. The informative chapters weave together accounts of his experiences and observations with details about the environment, its exploration, and scientific concepts. He recounts ancient perceptions of the far north, the difficulties faced by the first explorers, and the highly publicized early-20th-century race to the pole. He also covers topics such as the movement of the magnetic pole, extracting and studying core samples of ancient rock for geological information, and tactics for surviving extreme conditions. The work of climatologists and oceanographers is introduced, along with a glimpse at the possible effects of global warming. Shortened articles from the New York Times on related subjects appear throughout. The illustrations include full-color photographs of the author's trek, archival reproductions and photos of previous excursions, original diagrams that clarify concepts, and maps. A blend of colorful full-bleed photos with text overlaid and smaller, bordered images makes for a dynamic layout. The wonderfully written narrative will pull youngsters into the book and hold them there willingly until the last page

FROM LIBRARY CATALOG:
Discover the North Pole and the arctic ice that covers the ocean water there. Learn about historical expeditions, and the recent one the author joined and where these chapters were written

This book is about the life and death of a remarkable courageous man called Chico Mendes. A Brazilian rubber tapper and self-taught environmentalist, Mendes was killed in December 1988 by ranchers intent on ravaging the jungle for short-term gain.