Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 432 pages
• Published by: Rodale Books October 31, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1594866376
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1594866371
• Book Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Product Description
Re-released on the heels of Al Gores #1 New York Times bestseller, An Inconvenient Truth, comes the paperback edition of his classic bestseller, Earth in the Balance. First published in 1992, it helped place the environment on the national agenda; now, as environmental issues move front-and-center in the public consciousness, the time is right to reflect deeply on the fate of our planet and commit ourselves to its future. While An Inconvenient Truth closely looks at one menace to our environmentglobal warmingEarth in the Balance takes a broader approach, focusing on the threats that everyday choices pose to our climate, water, soil, and diversity of plant and animal life. A passionate, lifelong defender of the environment, Gore describesin brave and unforgettable termshow human actions and decisions can endanger or safeguard the vulnerable ecosystem that sustains us.

About The Author
Former Vice President Al Gore is chairman of Current TV, an independently owned cable and satellite television nonfiction network for young people based on viewer-created content and citizen journalism. He also serves as chairman of Generation Investment Management, a firm that is focused on a new approach to sustainable investing. Gore is a member of the Board of Directors of Apple Computer, Inc., and a senior advisor to Google, Inc. Gore was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976 and the U.S. Senate in 1984 and 1990. He was inaugurated as the 45th vice president of the United States on January 20, 1993, and served eight years. He is the author of the 2006 bestseller An Inconvenient Truth. Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, live in Nashville, Tennessee. They have four children and two grandchildren.

Reader Reviews
So many (especially) non-fiction books written by public figures amount to nothing more than candy-coated 'feel good' wastes of trees. Gore certainly wants his audience to buy this title, read it, and follow the advice contained in the book. However, he also had courage to write on a serious topic and then provided substantive data for his particular thesis. Much indeed has changed since 1992, but our 'me-first disposable' society still needs to take to heart the entire (however largely macro-level) advice presented in this book. Policy prescriptions advocated in this book really weren't that shocking either in 1992 or today. The availability of organic food offerings certainly has grown outside of specialty 'small' stores, however eating healthiest seems to remain a privilege for the truly wealthy since these same foods are more expensive than their chemically produced/preserved counterparts not to mention what foods are/are not subsidized for low-income families. Part of me would have liked to see a little more emphasis on what people can do at the grassroots level to help achieve balance. When the book was first published, I was unable to understand everything written inside the book. This time though, I not only finished, but was all revved up! It's a sad indictment of our society that we traditionally expect so little substantive contribution to social betterment from public figures, and paradoxically become 'alarmed' by those who do buck that trend to actually serve the public. This book is written for all Americans. Gore is a passionate and thoughtful man whose public service is clearly motivated by a love of humanity. He wrote this only because he cares about us and the issue.