amcook's review
informative
slow-paced
4.0
A really useful survey of the history of public opinion about the climate.
flexmentallo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
An approachable book about a century of the climate change debate. I don't think the first chapter, tracking the invention of electricity, lights, etc... was really particularly relevant to the story being told, and sometimes Lipsky's cute metaphors and callbacks were a little grating. Most frustrating, despite citing Naomi Oreskes' magnum opus, Merchants of Doubt, is that Lipsky completely ignores/misses the rabid anti-communism that drove so much of the denial movement.
Otherwise, this was a charming book that had a great sense character and a relatable, gripping tone.
Otherwise, this was a charming book that had a great sense character and a relatable, gripping tone.
jkellyjr's review against another edition
4.0
Heroes, villains, and a dash of humor – "The Parrot and the Igloo" unravels the gripping saga of climate change battles..……
Book Information
“The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial” by David Lipsky, is a 496-page science book published on July 11, 2023. The audio version is Narrated by Mike Chamberlain and spans 18 hours and 44 minutes. Thank you to RB Media for providing me with an advance readers copy of this book for review.
Summary
"The Parrot and the Igloo" is an account of the genesis of climate denial, weaving together the stories of prominent inventors like Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse who revolutionized our world. Amidst this backdrop, the book introduces courageous scientists who raised concerns about climate change. David Lipsky skillfully reveals how a web of deception, first established to distort facts about products like aspirin and cigarettes, later facilitated the proliferation of denialist ideas.
My Thoughts
David Lipsky's book, "The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial," is a unique and comprehensive exploration of climate change history and the denial movement. Divided into three parts, "Part One: The Inventors," "Part Two: Scientists," and "Part Three: Deniers," the book offers the flexibility to listen in any order. “The Parrot and the Igloo” is a mind-blowing journey through science, lies, and the fight for truth.
While the book provides a wealth of captivating and well-researched information, its considerable length can be overwhelming at times. Nonetheless, it masterfully traces the long history of science and skepticism surrounding global warming, debunking famous "studies" used to discredit its reality.
One of the book's strengths lies in its infusion of humor and pop culture references, making the content more engaging and enjoyable. Lipsky skillfully presents complex concepts in an accessible manner, making them easy for readers to understand. Notably, the book uncovers surprising connections between big tobacco and climate deniers, shedding light on the manipulative tactics employed to challenge established science.
The book's focus on character-driven storytelling sets it apart from typical science literature. By delving into the lives of both heroes and villains related to climate change, readers gain a fascinating understanding of the science and quackery intertwined in their experiences.
The vivid descriptions of the people involved add intrigue to the narrative and keep readers hooked throughout the book. Moreover, the narrator, Mike Chamberlain, enhances the experience with his engaging performance, making the material feel more like a mystery, comedy, or thriller than a traditional science book.
Recommendation
"The Parrot and the Igloo" is a deeply researched and captivating book that skillfully navigates the history of climate change and denial. Despite its length, the narrative style and excellent narration make it a rewarding and enlightening read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of climate science and denial movements.
Rating
4 Real Science Stars
Book Information
“The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial” by David Lipsky, is a 496-page science book published on July 11, 2023. The audio version is Narrated by Mike Chamberlain and spans 18 hours and 44 minutes. Thank you to RB Media for providing me with an advance readers copy of this book for review.
Summary
"The Parrot and the Igloo" is an account of the genesis of climate denial, weaving together the stories of prominent inventors like Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse who revolutionized our world. Amidst this backdrop, the book introduces courageous scientists who raised concerns about climate change. David Lipsky skillfully reveals how a web of deception, first established to distort facts about products like aspirin and cigarettes, later facilitated the proliferation of denialist ideas.
My Thoughts
David Lipsky's book, "The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial," is a unique and comprehensive exploration of climate change history and the denial movement. Divided into three parts, "Part One: The Inventors," "Part Two: Scientists," and "Part Three: Deniers," the book offers the flexibility to listen in any order. “The Parrot and the Igloo” is a mind-blowing journey through science, lies, and the fight for truth.
While the book provides a wealth of captivating and well-researched information, its considerable length can be overwhelming at times. Nonetheless, it masterfully traces the long history of science and skepticism surrounding global warming, debunking famous "studies" used to discredit its reality.
One of the book's strengths lies in its infusion of humor and pop culture references, making the content more engaging and enjoyable. Lipsky skillfully presents complex concepts in an accessible manner, making them easy for readers to understand. Notably, the book uncovers surprising connections between big tobacco and climate deniers, shedding light on the manipulative tactics employed to challenge established science.
The book's focus on character-driven storytelling sets it apart from typical science literature. By delving into the lives of both heroes and villains related to climate change, readers gain a fascinating understanding of the science and quackery intertwined in their experiences.
The vivid descriptions of the people involved add intrigue to the narrative and keep readers hooked throughout the book. Moreover, the narrator, Mike Chamberlain, enhances the experience with his engaging performance, making the material feel more like a mystery, comedy, or thriller than a traditional science book.
Recommendation
"The Parrot and the Igloo" is a deeply researched and captivating book that skillfully navigates the history of climate change and denial. Despite its length, the narrative style and excellent narration make it a rewarding and enlightening read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of climate science and denial movements.
Rating
4 Real Science Stars
misterfix's review
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
Wow, abandon all hope humanity... kidding, but sorta not. This is a devastating book that essentially uses two quotes below to examine humanity's reactions to and lack of action regarding the climate emergency.
"Human beings are now carrying out a large scale geophysical experiment, of a kind that could not have happened in the past nor be reproduce in the future." Roger Revelle 1957
"What's the use of having developed a science well enough to make predictions, if in the end all we're willing to do is stand around and wait for them to come true?" Dr. Sherwood Roland
It's grim BUT eye opening reading. Book is full of important and worthwhile knowledge to possess if you have any interest in appreciating how we got here and perhaps how to get out of the mess, though the author doesn't explicitly spell out solutions. I wish the author had included a bibliography and footnotes.
"Human beings are now carrying out a large scale geophysical experiment, of a kind that could not have happened in the past nor be reproduce in the future." Roger Revelle 1957
"What's the use of having developed a science well enough to make predictions, if in the end all we're willing to do is stand around and wait for them to come true?" Dr. Sherwood Roland
It's grim BUT eye opening reading. Book is full of important and worthwhile knowledge to possess if you have any interest in appreciating how we got here and perhaps how to get out of the mess, though the author doesn't explicitly spell out solutions. I wish the author had included a bibliography and footnotes.
lara_likecroft's review against another edition
informative
5.0
I started the book expecting a mash-up of The Current War, Losing Earth and Merchants of Doubt, and I think that's a decent quick description. If you are looking for a very focused climate policy and disinformation narrative then this might not be the right fit for you, personally, I loved the way everything stitched together, Tesla and Edison, cults, aspirin, tobacco villains, eccentric Brits. I'd watch a mini-series based on this in a heartbeat. I had trouble keeping some of the names straight in the last third of the book, but I think that's because I was in audio format, and that's the section I would re-read anyway. I'm not totally sure why the epilogue was so long, seemed like a really interesting section, not just a summary/conclusion.