The Best American Science & Nature Writing 2001 (The Best American Series)

Also an instant bestseller in the Best American series, this second annual Best American Science and Nature Writing volume, edited by the Pulitzer Prize–winning author, scientist, and naturalist Edward O. Wilson, promises to be another "eclectic, provocative collection" (Entertainment Weekly) that is both a science reader's dream and a nature lover's sustenance.

From abstract reflections on the nature of mathematical thought to an all-too-concrete tale of teetering on the edge of an active volcano, The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2001 delivers exactly what it promises. Editor Edward O. Wilson knows good writing when he sees it, and with names like David Berlinski, Barbara Kingsolver, and Jane Goodall in the table of contents, it's hard to know where to begin reading. All but the most diligent of readers will find something new herein--some topic, theory, or point of view that hasn't yet reached the mainstream. Stem cells, robots, cloning, and habitat loss all become more real thanks to the writers' vivid descriptions and imaginative explanations. The collection is a treat even for those with little background in science, as it provides an accessible overview of issues important to all informed world citizens. If only all science and nature writing were this appealing. --Rob Lightner