Nature's Economy : A History of Ecological Ideas

Rating:
Summary: Good structure, sloppy execution
Review: Donald Worster has written a gem of a book. It's too bad that he gets lost in his own selfconceit. Worster merely wants to say that all other ecological ideas are products of cultural conditions. Howver, his ideas are not. Worster is a master at structuring his points, and he is colorful at times. My favorite part, however (other than the connection of interdependncy to fascism) was when he misused his "In the begining was The Word" quote. "The Word," in the original Greek text of the bible, is actually "logos," not literal words of creeation. I had a hard time buying his schtick after reading that line.

Rating:
Summary: solid, informative, and clearly written.
Review: This comment of Worster's from page 433 pretty much sums it all up:

"Whether we choose to learn from the past or not, the past is our most reliable instructor in reality."

He presents the supporting material for his case just as elegantly and firmly, throughout the book.