The Rescue Effect: The Key to Saving Life on Earth

Many species on Earth today are facing dire situations, but hope is not lost. Giving examples of how other species have survived or adapted throughout time, marine biologist Webster (natural resources and environment, Cornell Univ.) provides an optimistic view. Eight of the book’s nine chapters focus on a particular creature or environment, such as tigers in India or Ascension Island. Both history and current events are included in explaining what happened to create the problems and what the future—both good and bad—could hold with or without human interference. After all, even if something is saved, something else is lost. Research, personal interviews, and up-to-date statistics support the text. Webster strikes a nice balance in his writing, including personal anecdotes, but not so many or so detailed that they distract from the subject. The chapters end with thoughts or questions for readers to consider. The author himself struggles with some of the ethical issues of conservationism, so he encourages readers to determine matters for themselves.