The Rising: Journeys in the Wake of Global Warming

Within the backdrop of the possible world future of a global warming disaster, this book also provides insight into how individuals within our society decide to respond to this crisis and the outcomes of their choices. I consider this to be the greater merit of this book, illustrating, through various story characters, how all of our futures depend on the choices we are making from moment to moment and choices that are being made for us. Decisions resulting in global warming and the collapse of Antarctic ice shelves are shown to be economically and politically driven in the book, a scenario that parallels what we are seeing in several countries responses to global warming. The fact-based background and research done for this book certainly makes a credible case for the geographic and environmental changes that play out in the story. The writing is engaging, the characters are believable (there is a cast of characters in the front to keep track of them) and, though considered a fiction work, the book is relevant to our time.

Authors did their homework- this is a thought provoking and intense novel, to say the least. The abundance of facts are brilliantly tied in with vivid characters and an intruiging plot. The velocity at which the events unravel make this book impossible to put down. I encourage you to read it with a friend, as the story line is ideal for theorizing and perhaps a little heated dinner conversation (pun intended.)

Slip around the confusion arising from biological warfare and consider the devastation arising from a natural melt down, like volcanoes blasting gigantic icebergs in the Antarctic. Imagine, then, what you'd do if you were coastal bound-- anywhere in the world. Now, let your imagination zoom to California, especially the San Francisco region with the nation's airwaves blasting conflicting news reports between government officials (safely ensconced in Texas) saying there's nothing to fear from the ice melt, while newscasters and scientists proclaim otherwise. Coastal populations are nervous. Who to believe? Concurrently, two prisoners scheme their escape from San Quentin prison. Intensity builds on all fronts. Listen to traffic jams occurring as people attempt to flee coastal areas. Gasoline pumps run dry; food stuffs dwindle. I dare you to put down The Rising.

Loved every word.An important message for our future delivered in the manner of our forefathers through a gripping tale that makes us think without guilt as we enjoy the process and reach our own conclusions in the end.A timely piece with scientific backup that is both startling and frightening. A reminder of the prehistoric survival instinct in all of us...the unique manifestation of which make us true individuals.

I couldn't put it down. Basically gives a visceral description of what it would mean for the average guy if current global warming trends continue. I think they did a very good job of relating the big events their story line, which was all character-driven, so you could appreciate it. I find that when I turn on the news about this stuff you just get a bunch of numbers that don't mean anything, and having a good yarn to put it all in perspective made it work for me. I get the sense also that they did their homework numbers-wise: I'm an engineer, and from a technical standpoint I didn't have trouble suspending my disbelief. Two thumbs up!