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EE Book 24 provides a lucid description of Earth's natural history and its physical and biological processes. Drawing together science, the arts and anthropology, the author sheds light on today's unprecedented human disruption of these processes, and discusses alternative futures. His account is enjoyable for the layperson, but also informative to the academic. In meeting the aims of the International Ecology Institute – cross-disciplinarity, a balance of specialist and generalist research, conveying important ecological issues to all, and reconciling human progress with the protection of nature – the author provides a work of inspiration for those hoping to steer humanity back towards sustainability.
Professor Brian Moss has invested his scientific and scholarly skills into studies on freshwater ecosystems from the Arctic to the tropics. Particularly outstanding is his work on the eutrophication of shallow lakes. One of the many virtues in his research is his ability to elucidate how entire freshwater ecosystems behave under anthropogenic pressures such as nutrient loads or climate change. Brian Moss was one of the first scientists to carry out full-scale biomanipulation studies, using trophic cascade theory to address ecological problems. His excellence in research is mirrored in his abilities to present cutting-edge science with a touch of poetry and art. Professor Brian Moss is a most worthy recipient of the ECI prize in limnetic ecology 2009.
"[...] The great diversity of illustrations in this book make it extremely attractive and readable, as well as intellectually stimulating. Its novel approach to so many ecological principles is refreshing, and places Brian Moss among the ranks of Jared Diamond, E.O. Wilson, and Paul Ehrlich as a presenter of profound thoughts in a highly accessible manner. The author claims that this book was not written for ecologists, but for 'everyone else'. I would delete the 'else' and suggest that this is a book for everyone, including ecologists.
- Peter Moore, British Ecological Society Bulletin, August 2013
"[...] This sort of publication would probably offend many panels in the RAE and be dismissed as a mere reiteration of what was already known. If I am right it demonstrates just how far from the holistic view we have strayed and how little we value the unorthodox. Whilst he eschews references in the text his end notes to each chapter are fascinating in drawing attention to his catholic range of sources, Unfortunately the public at large will never see or hear of it but I strongly recommend the book to any ecologist with a broad outlook. [...]"
- David Walton, British Ecological Society Bulletin, August 2013
