Carol Fiore's Blog

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The question I asked myself after I read this book is: why didn’t I read it sooner?

Normally I read natural history by scientists I follow, like E.O. Wilson and Richard Dawkins. Ms. Kolbert is a staff writer at The New Yorker; she is not a scientist. Her writing style is easily readable for the non-scientist. I found myself nodding frequently and thinking “of course.” I hold three science degrees, but I suspect the regular person would likely be unaware of the ecology she presents.

Ms. Kolbert did extensive research, traveling around the globe, reporting on the past five extinctions and the current one, the Sixth Extinction. She concentrates on a handful of species, including bats and highlights white-nose syndrome (something I know a bit about). Her observations are heart-breaking, her words haunting: “Though it might be nice to imagine there was once a time when man lived in harmony with nature, it’s not clear that he ever really did.”

More than anything this book makes you rethink what it really means to be human. It isn’t that many people don’t care about biodiversity and its loss. I have worked with hundreds of people in my life who have gone to extraordinary lengths to save species (particularly in New Zealand). Conservation is an essential part of my life and something I’ve devoted much time and money toward; it’s the reason I wrote “The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy.” If people care, they’ll do something, right?

Ms. Kolbert presents the idea that simply being human means we alter our surroundings in a way that damages the natural world. We simply can’t help it. She ends by saying, "It doesn’t much matter whether people care or don’t care. What matters is that people change the world.”

But we can make better choices, all of us.



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Hi friends and readers,

Only 4 more days until the publication of the last book in "The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy."

Pick up the first book in the series for free all day on Nov 7. The second book is only $.99 (amazon/eBook). Why not binge read the completed trilogy and escape into an exciting world with a cast of diverse characters?

More details on my website at carolfiore.com and in the event listing.

Thanks for your support! All royalties are donated to environmental nonprofits.

Please vote today! The planet needs you. The country needs you. Truth and honesty and social justice and facts and science and democracy are all on the line. VOTE!

Hi friends and readers,

Launch, the last book in "The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy" is finally here! The eBook is now available for preorder on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Launch-Book-Th...

On November 7 the paperback will also be available for purchase on amazon. To celebrate the book launch, the first book in the trilogy will be absolutely free all day (eBook only), and the second book will only be $0.99 (eBook only).

Watch for the book to populate on other sites in the following weeks. Ask your local bookstore to carry it. As always, reviews are very much appreciated.

I'll be sending out my Nov/Dec newsletter around November 7 (after the election). Sign up for my free newsletter: https://carolfiore.com/

Stay safe, and PLEASE VOTE!

For the planet,
Carol Fiore

Hi friends and readers,

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest to win a free copy of Book Two in the Skye Van Bloem Trilogy. If you didn't win a copy of "Holding" please know that a purchase of the book (paperback or eBook) means you will be helping the planet. I donate ALL royalties to environmental nonprofits. Please leave a review here and on amazon.

The last book in the trilogy "Launch" is going to developmental editing in a week, so expect it to be published later this year.

To recap the ecological themes in my young adult ecofiction Skye Van Bloem Trilogy...

--> Book One "Countdown" deals with biodiversity loss.
--> Book Two "Holding" deals with the climate crisis.
--> Book Three "Launch" deals with the importance of competent, ethical government.

All the books have a diverse group of teens, animal characters, adventure, and romance. The series is not suitable for kids under the age of 13 as there is some scifi violence, a virus that threatens to kill all humans, death and grief, young adult mild sex (book two), and an animal slaughterhouse scene.

Thank you for your support and stay safe. Feel free to write with questions or check out my website at carolfiore (dot) com.

Hi Friends,

Book Two in the young adult series The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy is coming soon! The expected publication date is late January/early February 2020. "Holding" is a climate dystopia so you won't want to miss it! Grab a copy of Book One, "Countdown" now.

Sign up on my website for updates. Be the first to know when "Holding" hits the shelves. It's in copyediting now.

The third and final book "Launch" is written and will be heading for developmental editing soon.

Thank you for entering the Goodreads contest for a free Kindle copy of my young adult book "Countdown, Book One – The Skye Van Bloem Trilogy." Goodreads selects winners, not authors. If you won a copy, I hope you enjoy it! Please consider leaving a review; it is much appreciated. If you did not win, check on amazon after May 3. The Kindle price has been dropped to make it more available to teens; the book is also available in paperback. I donate my royalties to environmental nonprofits, as my protagonist Skye would want.

If you are interested in the second book in the trilogy, Holding, let me know. It’s not published yet, but I’d be happy to share a page or two, as well as a peek at the cover. Feel free to write to me at PO Box 1293, Cortaro, AZ 85652; send a stamped self-addressed envelope and I’ll mail you an autographed book mark with a full color drawing of Skye, Henry, and Janine.

Keep up the awesome work making the earth a better place.

For the planet,
Carol Fiore

Greetings, readers!

A Grief Workbook for Skeptics: Surviving Loss without Religion is for nonbelievers, primarily atheists. I recommend reading reviews from the nonreligious community: Freethought Radio, Richard Dawkins, The Friendly Atheist, and the like. As with any book of this nature, attacks by religious folks are bound to happen!I would be happy to answer any questions you have. I invite you to visit my website at www.carolfiore.com

Congratulations to the two winners of an autographed copy of A Grief Workbook for Skeptics: Surviving Loss without Religion Thank you to everyone who entered. Please consider giving the book a look. I appreciate comments and reviews!

I invite you to listen to the Freethought Radio live interview with me about my second book "A Grief Workbook for Skeptics: Surviving Loss without Religion."
http://ffrf.org/news/radio

"Flight through Fire" won an Honorable Mention in the Life Stories category for Writer’s Digest’s Book Awards.Flight Through Fire