40 pages • 1 hour read
Elizabeth KolbertA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
288
Book • Nonfiction
Various • Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future by Elizabeth Kolbert chronicles humanity's profound impact on Earth's landscapes, biodiversity, and atmosphere, examining attempts to mitigate these changes that often lead to complex challenges. The book explores the modification of the Chicago and Mississippi Rivers, the conservation of endangered species like the Devil’s Hole pupfish and corals, and climate interventions like carbon capture and solar geoengineering, highlighting the intricate balance between human innovation and unforeseen consequences.
Informative
Contemplative
Mysterious
Challenging
Dark
14,046 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
In Under a White Sky, Elizabeth Kolbert explores environmental interventions with keen insight. Critics praise her engaging prose and thorough research, yet some feel the book leans too heavily towards pessimism. Kolbert’s meticulous narrative offers a nuanced view, balancing the marvels of human ingenuity with somber reflections on our ecological impact.
An ideal reader for Elizabeth Kolbert's Under a White Sky is someone intrigued by environmental science, climate change, and human interventions in nature. Fans of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and Bill McKibben’s The End of Nature will appreciate Kolbert’s investigative approach and compelling narrative.
14,046 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
288
Book • Nonfiction
Various • Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.