Here's another book for those who like their information in bracing, sinus-clearing doses of hard realism mixed with philosophical skepticism. A Short History of Progress by Ronald Wright looks at our anthropoid roots and, in terms of the universe's age and our evolution into the "piece of work" that we are now, our preposterously brief experiment with civilization. As you might agree, the results are decidedly mixed. For most of our time on earth, the naked ape that is us has been grasping, venal, desperate, murderous, sick, profligate, and without forethought, forward planning, or common sense.

What hope is there? Well, a little clear-eyed recognition of our limitations might help us learn how best to put them aside and work cooperatively to avoid doing unto the entire planet what civilizations did to themselves: namely, to deforest and desertify themselves out of existence. A recommended read by a good writer.