Life Stories (Oral Histories of World-Famous Scientists)

Author: (USA) Xia Xin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: Interviewees: James Lovelock, Paul Ehrlich, Peter Raven, Thomas Lovejoy, David Suzuki, George M. Woodwell, Ruth Patrick, Elliot Norse, Max Nicholson, Martin Holdgate, Sherwood Rowland, John Firor, Lester Brown, Norman Myers, Joseph Rotblat, Henry Kendall. This book is a must-read for everyone. The scientists' awe-inspiring words and actions regarding life are deeply moving. Their courageous decisions will inspire all people to face the environmental challenges of the new millennium. – Dennis Meadows, International Earth Day Chair, 2000
These challenging autobiographies are not onlying but also evoke concern. We have the ability to successfully meet this challenge, but the question is whether we have the will. The book is so captivating that once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down. – Gaylord Nelson, Senator, Founder of Earth Day
The environmental crisis has become a topic frequently discussed loudly and clearly, but this book still points out that this crisis is caused by all of humanity, not by "us" or "them."
Given the profound, urgent, and attention-grabbing message conveyed in this book, and its relevance to everyone, I am willing to recommend it to university students in all fields. It should be a must-read for all. – Anthony J.F. Griffiths, Distinguished Award Winner, Canadian Society of Genetics
This book is compiled by Xia Xin based on interviews with sixteen world-renowned scientists engaged in research in chemistry, nuclear physics, engineering, astronomy, meteorology, and life sciences, as well as their correspondence, speeches, and writings. The book collects the personal recollections and professional reflections of the scientists, and in revealing their private lives and thoughts, it is truly extraordinary. Their deep understanding, appreciation, and reverence for life possess a powerful inspirational force and potential for reform. By learning about their consciousness, knowledge, and wisdom as they developed throughout their lives, we can appreciate this.
The personal stories in this book focus on vital components of the global biosphere: land, plants, forests, animals, rivers, oceans, climate, and the atmosphere. Just as humans depend on all these systems, every part of the Earth is interconnected, and each thing is connected to the whole it belongs to. Therefore, each story in the book is related to the others.
These stories first trace specific individuals, places, and times, then expand to encompass the future of the Earth and life on it.