Rating: 
Summary: A definite "wake-up" call to all Americans.
Review: This book is the required text for an English college writing course here at MSU Bozeman. At first glance, the thought of Ecology being a myth is something to laugh at. But after reading this book, one learns that Ecology is not based on science or mathematics, but on personal feelings and theory. It is not a science, but rather an idea that has been accepted due to ignorance of the recipients. Did you know that because of "selective cutting", our timber volume has nearly DOUBLED since logging first began? You will find other very interesting and calming FACTS in this excellent book. A must-read for every enviromentalist, conservationalist and every American for that matter.
Rating: 
Summary: A blend of bias and critical analysis
Review: While Chase does an admirable job here of blending a whole lot of intellectual history with a modern clash of ideology, one can't help but wonder who he is actually writing this for. At times insightful, others discursive, but always readable, it seems that the main point of this book is to sway the fencesitters and romantics in the big cities to not be so quick in sending a check upon viewing a demonstration on the evening news. Ultimately, Chase shows his hand by portraying the loggers of the Northwest as the victims, while the 'Earth First!ers' are their hedonistic nemesis bent on growing marijuana and making love in their idealized wilderness. These nefarious 'eco-terrorists' are the bad guys here, and the poor loggers clinging to the vestiges of family values are the tragic heroes of perseverence. Not exactly the critical analysis one would hope for. Nevertheless, if the reader transcends the obvious bias of the author (which seems to stem from left-over dissatisfaction and anger with liberalized 60's university politics) there are other, deeper messages well worth noting.The main strength lies in his analysis of ecological 'science' and uncovering many of its inherant fallacies. The reader will do well to expand this theme in taking from this lengthy tome the lesson that far from being based on immutable laws, Science as a whole is as subjective as philosophy. Indeed, Science is in large part determined and shaped by philosophy. As such, while Chase spends much time debunking the environmentalists by discrediting the foundations of ecology, he ultimately hurts his own thesis by conveniently appropriating Science in justifying the plight of the logger. It is a catch-22 of sorts that Chase hides well, but he can not escape from it entirely. All in all, it is a good read and certainly houses something for all. Those simpathetic to the logging industry will find little to disagree with, while those whose hearts lie in the ideal of pristine wilderness will come away feeling as though they've been chastized by their stodgy uncle. Somewhere in the middle is where this book has the most value as, despite the ubiquitous timbre of distaste towards environmentalists, it offers an intriguing critique of man's overdependance on 'Science' and his ability to manipulate it for whatever his or her ideals demand. Ultimately, the recognition that Science is inherantly a human construct shaped by our own capacities of comprehension demands that we stop and reconsider our motives for either cutting or saving trees, rather than simply relying on some numbers to make those decisions for us. That is the message that makes this book worth reading: Think, people, think....then act.
Rating: 
Summary: Eye opening
Review: While I do think there is a bit of a right slant to this work, some of the factual information given did seem to make sense, and was information I was not aware of before. This book lost me on some section, and others had me riveted. Over all I did enjoy my experience and felt I learned alot.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: While the author does an admirable job of thoroughly outlining one particular version of the history of the ecological/conservancy movement and of the fallacious assumptions in the popular spiritually-overtoned meanings of "ecology" and "ecosystem" within the USA, obvious flaws in this book include the lack: of evidence for his own assertions, of positive elements in the history, of any alternative suggestions to the efforts he critiques, and of any acknowledged culpability for man due to man's science-enhanced unnatural fecundity and destructiveness or man's innate avarice.
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