The World Without Us
In his latest book, which was a finalist for the 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award, Weisman, an acclaimed journalist and science writer, explores the darkest of possibilities: what would happen on Earth if mankind became extinct? To formulate an answer to this question, Weisman talked with experts in a number of fields, from biologists and environmentalists to Indian spiritual guides and museum curators. Weisman's discoveries about what might happen in a world without humans is chilling. New York City subways would quickly fill with water, vegetation would consume buildings and streets, and domesticated animals would become the prey of their wild counterparts. Litter and waste—a billion tons of plastic, built-to-last rubber tires beyond counting—would, of course, outlive mankind. However, with humans out of the way, many of the fish, birds and trees now on the endangered species list could experience a second coming. Also surviving man: radio waves transmitting TV broadcasts into outer space—forever. Thoroughly researched and elegantly written, this chilling narrative, which started out as an article for Discovery magazine, sheds disturbing new light on the state of the planet and mankind's role in life on Earth.
