This book really is a superb accomplishment. It's so rare to find anyone doing interdisciplinary study at this level, even though the big picture is exactly what we need. Anyone who appreciates Tainter or Diamond will find this a very worthy contribution to the debate.
I read the book fairly quickly but, honestly, the "upside" is pretty much lost on me. THD has a book review and a rebuttle to that review on his book website. To the extent that he talks about an upside, it just seems unlikely and insignificant. He asserts in his rebuttle that the book isn't a "how-to" guide but, really, why use the word upside then?
I like the guy (saw his presentation in Ottawa last month) and think his book is a great analysis of why we might all be in a lot of trouble. I just wonder, cynically, whether "upside" was used to sell the book.
This book really is a superb accomplishment. It's so rare to find anyone doing interdisciplinary study at this level, even though the big picture is exactly what we need. Anyone who appreciates Tainter or Diamond will find this a very worthy contribution to the debate.
Thanks for the great review, I'll definitely add it to my wish list..
Cheers,
Gary
I read the book fairly quickly but, honestly, the "upside" is pretty much lost on me. THD has a book review and a rebuttle to that review on his book website. To the extent that he talks about an upside, it just seems unlikely and insignificant. He asserts in his rebuttle that the book isn't a "how-to" guide but, really, why use the word upside then?
I like the guy (saw his presentation in Ottawa last month) and think his book is a great analysis of why we might all be in a lot of trouble. I just wonder, cynically, whether "upside" was used to sell the book.