Books matching: environmental disaster
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:The Marauders by Tom Cooper is a story set in Louisiana post-Katrina and the BP oil spill, portraying the struggles of the shrimpers and fishermen in the backwater swamps and bayous. The novel introduces a diverse cast of characters, including a one-armed pill addict searching for Lafitte's treasure, a young shrimper dealing with family conflicts, small-time crooks, and dangerous individuals like the Toup brothers. The narrative weaves together the lives of these characters, showcasing the impact of environmental disasters and personal tragedies on their livelihoods and relationships. The writing style is praised for its vivid descriptions, sense of place, and interconnected storylines that create a compelling and immersive reading experience.
They came like specters from the dark maw of the bayou, first ghostly light in the fog, then the rasp of a motor: an aluminum powerboat scudding across lacquer-black water. From a distance the figures... - #2
Save:'New Earth' in the series 'The Grand Tour' by Ben Bova explores a future where Earth is facing environmental disaster due to massive greenhouse flooding, leading to a group of explorers setting out for a planet called New Earth. The plot involves the explorers encountering unexpected intelligent life on New Earth, which looks exactly like humans but is far advanced technologically. As the story unfolds, the explorers must navigate complex relationships with the inhabitants of New Earth and work together to warn both Earth and the intelligent beings of an impending gamma ray explosion that threatens all intelligent life.
(Also, see 46 recommendations for the series The Grand Tour ) - #3
Save:'The Back of the Turtle' by Thomas King is a novel that delves into the aftermath of an environmental disaster known as The Ruin. The story follows a diverse set of characters including a suicidal man who ends up saving a boatload of people, a young boy searching for salvage, an old sea dog and storyteller, an artist confronting the loss of her family, and a lonely CEO. Through their individual stories, the book gradually reveals the cause of The Ruin and how each character is connected to or affected by it. King's writing style is observant and expressive, capturing his characters' emotions through great dialogues and a mocking portrayal of the corporate world.
THE MAN STOOD AT THE BOUNDARY OF THE BEACH, IN THE shadows of the hanging cedars, and listened to the heavy surf run in from deeper water. The beach pitched up sharply here, the high sand soft and dry... - #4
Save:'Hello America' by J.G. Ballard is a science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic America where the country has been devastated by pollution and environmental disasters. The story follows a group of European explorers who crash into New York's harbor and venture out to explore the continent, encountering absurd tribal populations and remnants of American culture. The book delves into themes of American values, civilization, and the impact of environmental choices, all presented in a satirical and dystopian manner.
The writing style of 'Hello America' is described as concise, enjoyable, and capturing the ambivalence towards American values. J.G. Ballard's narrative mocks stereotypes of America while exploring the country's past glory, present desolation, and potential future. The book is noted for its quick pace, engaging storytelling, and the eerie relevance of its themes despite being written in the early 1980s.
- #5
Save:'A Friend of the Earth' by T.C. Boyle is a dark and engaging novel set in a near future where global warming has devastated the planet. The story follows Ty Tierwater, an eco terrorist turned animal caretaker, as he navigates a world filled with environmental disaster and personal loss. The narrative alternates between the past and the future, painting a bleak picture of a world on the brink of collapse while exploring themes of family, loss, and activism. Boyle's writing style is described as poetic and rich, drawing readers into a world where characters grapple with the consequences of their choices.
- #6
Save:'Sahara' in the 'Dirk Pitt' series by Clive Cussler is an action-packed adventure mystery set in the Sahara desert. The story follows Dirk Pitt and his team as they race against time to prevent an environmental catastrophe caused by pollution threatening the world's seas. Along the way, they encounter villains, navigate through treacherous situations, and uncover historical mysteries related to the Civil War and a long-lost female pilot. The writing style is described as fast-paced, filled with action, and reminiscent of a Hollywood action movie, with larger-than-life characters and thrilling plot twists.
After traveling through the desert for days or weeks, seeing no animals, meeting no humans, civilization, no matter how tiny or primitive, comes as a stunning surprise. To the eleven people in the fiv...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Dirk Pitt ) Paradise Falls: The True Story of an Environmental Catastrophe by Keith O'Brien tells the harrowing story of the Love Canal disaster in the 1970s. It focuses on how toxic waste, buried by Hooker Chemical, affected the health of an entire community. The book puts a human face on this tragedy, showcasing the struggles of residents like Lois Gibbs and Dr. Beverly Paigen against corporate negligence and government indifference. The narrative details the suffering of families due to illnesses caused by exposure to harmful chemicals and highlights the fight to bring attention to their plight.
O'Brien's writing style is compelling and very readable, making complex scientific issues accessible to a broad audience. He combines thorough research with personal stories, creating a vivid picture of the events that unfolded. The book also serves as a cautionary tale about environmental disasters and the power of grassroots activism. Readers find it hard to put down, as it not only informs but also evokes strong emotions. It is recommended for anyone interested in environmental issues and the impact of corporate actions on communities.
- #8
Save:Schild's Ladder by Greg Egan is a hard science fiction novel set 20,000 years in the future, exploring themes of quantum mechanics, transhumanism, and the manipulation of matter at a quantum level. The story follows a research team divided into Preservationists and Yielders, dealing with the aftermath of an accident at the future equivalent of the Large Hadron Collider. The protagonist, Tchicaya, navigates the slow-motion destruction caused by a false vacuum expanding throughout the universe, while interacting with computationally augmented post-humans and delving into complex quantum theories.
Greg Egan's writing style in Schild's Ladder is characterized by intricate scientific concepts, such as quantum graph theory and relativity, presented in a detailed and thought-provoking manner. The narrative delves deep into the implications of advanced technology on humanity, exploring themes of identity, society, and the consequences of manipulating the fabric of reality.
Other patterns could propagate in a similar fashion, and their symmetries and interactions matched up perfectly with the known fundamental particles. Every graph was still just a graph, a collection o... - #9
Save:The Wind from Nowhere by J.G. Ballard is a science fiction novel that depicts a massive, worldwide windstorm that ravages the Earth, causing destruction and chaos. The book focuses on the scenario of hyperkinetic winds of increasing velocity forcing the population to seek refuge underground. Despite the novel's flaws, such as poorly drawn characters and a somewhat absurd antagonist, Ballard's single-minded focus on the scenario keeps the plot interesting. The storyline ratchets up the scale of the disaster with each chapter, showcasing the futility of the bureaucratic system in the face of global catastrophe.
Donald Maitland noticed it as he rode back in the taxi from London Airport, after waiting a fruitless 48 hours for his PanAmerican flight to Montreal. For three days not a single aircraft bad got off ... - #10
Save:The Sheep Look Up by John Brunner is a dark and complex science fiction novel set in a severely polluted world on the brink of collapse. The narrative revolves around a large cast of characters as they navigate the disintegration of their environment due to pollution and destructive behaviors. The book presents a dystopian future that eerily mirrors some of the environmental issues faced by society today. Despite its challenging and disjointed narrative style, the story remains impactful and thought-provoking, shedding light on the consequences of environmental negligence and societal decay.
It was the archetype of nightmare: trapped, incapable of moving, with monstrous menacing beasts edging closer. Backed up for better than a mile, three lanes trying to cram into an exit meant for two, ...
