What do you think?
Rate this book
The End of the Wild
Evidence from the last ten years of research on the environment is presented in this call to action that discusses how to manage the fine details of creating trans-regional meta-reserves designed to protect ecosystem functions.
97 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 21, 2019
A sober and concise look at the end of biodiversity as we know it and how we can best maintain and promote what remains.
November 30, 2016
Frustrating book that's constrained by its length.
Meyer's tract was most likely written to spur action on our multitude of environmental crises facing the plant. While I heartily agree with most of his recommendations at the end to help life weather these disasters, I dislike his analysis of the problem. He says humanity has taken a new, destructive path in determining the outcome of natural selection in the last century, without clarifying what has changed. The second industrial revolution, global capitalism, or individual desires are all implicated, but the lack of specificity makes it seem like humanity simple had some sort of fall from grace recently that most now be dealt with.
The book seems to engage with the Deep Green movement the most, if only because that's the one school of thought actually named. Although it rejects its conclusions, the misanthropy of that movement seems to constrain the book. Tackling the problems of capitalism, for example, is pointless if you believe any other human social system will have the same destructive outcomes.
The flawed analysis of the book comes out when Meyer suggests that intense management of wild areas and populations is the only way to save certain species. This comes after decrying any human intervention in the survival of certain species over others.
The book has certainly made me think, but mostly about what I disagree with. I have to concede that many of the counterarguments I have are because of the decade of writing and thought that have happened since the book was released.
Meyer's tract was most likely written to spur action on our multitude of environmental crises facing the plant. While I heartily agree with most of his recommendations at the end to help life weather these disasters, I dislike his analysis of the problem. He says humanity has taken a new, destructive path in determining the outcome of natural selection in the last century, without clarifying what has changed. The second industrial revolution, global capitalism, or individual desires are all implicated, but the lack of specificity makes it seem like humanity simple had some sort of fall from grace recently that most now be dealt with.
The book seems to engage with the Deep Green movement the most, if only because that's the one school of thought actually named. Although it rejects its conclusions, the misanthropy of that movement seems to constrain the book. Tackling the problems of capitalism, for example, is pointless if you believe any other human social system will have the same destructive outcomes.
The flawed analysis of the book comes out when Meyer suggests that intense management of wild areas and populations is the only way to save certain species. This comes after decrying any human intervention in the survival of certain species over others.
The book has certainly made me think, but mostly about what I disagree with. I have to concede that many of the counterarguments I have are because of the decade of writing and thought that have happened since the book was released.
April 12, 2022
2022: Oh, sweet summer child.
2007: In a word, stunning. Breathtaking indictment of our current policies with regard to The Wild (defined by Meyer as untrammeled wilderness which humans romantically choose to believe still exists). Meyer's postulate in brief is that the war to save endangered species is over. We lost, and must plan accordingly. He goes on to limn a plan in letters of fire. I'm afraid this book is the one which will be held up a hundred years from now as an example of what should have been done and wasn't. Clear, concise, brilliant. Highly recommended.
2007: In a word, stunning. Breathtaking indictment of our current policies with regard to The Wild (defined by Meyer as untrammeled wilderness which humans romantically choose to believe still exists). Meyer's postulate in brief is that the war to save endangered species is over. We lost, and must plan accordingly. He goes on to limn a plan in letters of fire. I'm afraid this book is the one which will be held up a hundred years from now as an example of what should have been done and wasn't. Clear, concise, brilliant. Highly recommended.
March 19, 2021
This is a very important read for anyone who wants to know more about the industrial impact on the diversity of species and animal extinction. I also appreciate its brevity. Thank you Meyer for this work and for highlighting this crucial topic!
July 16, 2021
It's difficult to read this book and not be overwhelmed with depression at the course we're about to embark on. Many of us are not ready, and fewer, even the ones who burden this knowledge, will choose to do anything to create substantial change.
October 23, 2012
In "End of the Wild," Meyer provides a serious examination of the sad state of our environment. In this concise look at how natural selection has been replaced by human selection, the author argues that nothing can be done to stop the loss of wildlands and most of the earth's species. Immediate, systematic action must be taken to protect critical ecosystems. Meyer notes that we are fundamentally connected with nature and suggests that we have a moral obligation to "safeguard future evolutionary processes and pathways and to preserve ecosystems processes and functions". In addition, Meyers suggests that through the design of natural-area trusts (NATS) and intensive management we can begin to become better stewards. The last couple paragraphs say it all... "Of course, the end of the wild does not mean a barren world. There will continue to be plenty of life covering the globe. There will be birds, mammals, and insects - lots of insects. Life will just be different: much less diverse, much less exotic, much more predictable, and much less able to capture the awe and wonder of the human spirit. Ecosystems will organize around a human motif, the wild will give way to the predictable, the common, the usual. Everyone will enjoy English house sparrows; no one will enjoy wood thrushes. We have lost the wild for now. Perhaps in five or ten million years it will return."
January 12, 2014
Wow. This tiny little volume really packs a punch. It opens with a strong argument: the wild as we've defined it in the past is doomed. For the most part it's already gone, and those parts that still exist are living on borrowed time. He makes this case forcefully and pulls no punches. About halfway through, I was sagging and desperate for a glimmer of hope or a call to action.
This section is where the book stumbles a little. I think partially due to design issues. It's a small book with small pages and large margins -- all the white space makes it easy and pleasurable to read. But the headings were horrible and ran right into the paragraphs of text. I think a more visual outline would have better organized Meyer's recommendations for the future. Without it, this section ran all together and created mirages of contradictions that turned out not to be there when I looked again for this review. As condensed as the arguments in this tiny book are, I think more structure would have helped.
What I liked of his suggestions: changing the stories of our culture to emphasize our interdependence on/with our environment, and making sure we're protecting intact, healthy habitats, and not just those so imperiled as to already be on their last legs.
If you want a realistic call to arms, or a brutal kick to the head, pick this up.
This section is where the book stumbles a little. I think partially due to design issues. It's a small book with small pages and large margins -- all the white space makes it easy and pleasurable to read. But the headings were horrible and ran right into the paragraphs of text. I think a more visual outline would have better organized Meyer's recommendations for the future. Without it, this section ran all together and created mirages of contradictions that turned out not to be there when I looked again for this review. As condensed as the arguments in this tiny book are, I think more structure would have helped.
What I liked of his suggestions: changing the stories of our culture to emphasize our interdependence on/with our environment, and making sure we're protecting intact, healthy habitats, and not just those so imperiled as to already be on their last legs.
If you want a realistic call to arms, or a brutal kick to the head, pick this up.
July 18, 2011
This essay demands that we look at the earth, the environment and human's relationship to both in a different light. The idea is that the notion of a "wild" is over. Far too much of the earth is now under "human influence and impact" to varying degrees or another. Even the places designated as "wild" (National Parks etc.) only exist because humans say so. The message is very sad indeed. But, as such, the author vaguely argues that we must now look at the earth from the perspective that human's controlling it IS the future - and how exactly should we do that? It is a fresh look at the problem we call "climate change" et. al starting from a position that perhaps many of us do not want to accept - the idea and reality of the "wild" is over and not coming back. Worth reading, especially because it is short, crisp and hits home the message without wasting words.
July 19, 2016
I read this book 4 times in the course of one of my college classes. Meyer gives everyone so much to think about, and every time I reread the book a different point would catch my eye. Meyer's facts and opinions are depressing, there is no doubt about that, but he does bring up so many thought-provoking points. It's a very short read, but it is something I see myself returning to again and again over the course of my career in natural resources. The only thing I wish Meyer had spent time on in the book was how humans themselves could change "the end of the wild" - he spends so much time on listing all the bad things that are happening but fails to discuss arguably the most important factor in the equation: people and the world's rapidly expanding population.
July 20, 2009
Depressingly realistic. Three stars not for that, but for the style of writing - the tone is a bit accusatory, and while we are to blame for the state of the wild, more could be accomplished to address this with engaging the reader than with alienating her. And while the author's bleak realism is accurate, I would have liked more concrete examples of what each of us can do to maintain a glimmer of hope for the future. An important read for all of us.
June 20, 2015
"Weedy, Relic & Ghost" are terms the author describes of nature's disappearing plants, mammals, fish and insects. His views reflect mine in as much as the population growth continues to overtake the needs of our environment. His predictions of extinction of many species and the ways governments and Wilderness Organizations are trying to handle this situation are spot on.
January 5, 2016
A good book I read for environmental philosophy course.
Nothing new for me- I'm studying environmental conservation. A few new terms and a very eloquent discussion of the different possibilities and some of the inevitabilities that the human race faces. I like it because what he covered was very much in line with my own personal philosophy.
Nothing new for me- I'm studying environmental conservation. A few new terms and a very eloquent discussion of the different possibilities and some of the inevitabilities that the human race faces. I like it because what he covered was very much in line with my own personal philosophy.
June 6, 2008
like a cold, hard rock to the head. informative. ugly. a quick read.
Read
July 29, 2008The introduction to the concept within the first 20 pages was exciting. From then on the book was simply a list of endangered species.
October 31, 2012
Well... this was one of the most depressing things that I have ever read.
October 31, 2015
Tiny book that makes a forceful critique of environmentalism. Short on solutions, because we're pretty much fucked.
December 2, 2016
Interesting spin on the end of the world. Wish the dinosaurs had a copy to take action against the ice age
November 9, 2013
A chilling book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews