Terrarium

As usual, Scott R. Sanders writes like not many others can. His prolific writing can grip you within moments, coercing you into reading more and more. Before you know it, the book is over and your new desire is to find another one like it in order that you may continue the rush that you get when reading his works. I have found this to be true in numerous of his books, and it is an addiction I share proudly. "Terrarium" is both a fantastic science fiction novel as well as an excellent book that demonstrates the possibilities for a society that seems bent on destroying its home. "Terrarium" reminded me of an older style science fiction pulp novel and yet is so relevant to this moment in our history that it stands as a unique text unto itself. If you A) love science fiction, B) love our planet and wish to see it exist in years to come, or C) love ANY work by Scott Russel Sanders, than you should most assuredly order this book today. (Oh- and if you were looking for D) a book about building terrariums, keep looking. Heck, buy this book IN ADDITION to a book on building terrariums.)

Scott Russell Sanders has created a dystopian classic that fans of Orwell can admire. His setting is the near future in which the Earth has turned hostile, and man has enclosed himself in gargantuan cities, a human terrarium closed from any chaos. When one thinks of a terrarium, one might think of a beautiful display of life enclosed in a glass bubble. In the human Enclosures, however, things are not beautiful. People are living a fantasy, out of touch with nature--and often reality. Sanders has a good story telling style, and the book is an easy read. Everyone should read this book; tech junkies, to politicians, to parents. It helps us to see the world around us in a different light. Perhaps we can leave our children some of the beauty of nature that we take for granted.

Michigan Technological University celebrated Earth Week 1997 by giving out over 1000 copies of "Terrarium" in classes across campus. Author Scott Russell Sanders visited MTU on April 21st. He spoke about writing the book and shared his Earth Week thoughts. Students greatly enjoyed both book and author. They have summarized classroom discussions about the book's themes; these are posted at: http://chmac2.chem.mtu.edu/earth/default.ssi.