First published in 1992, Al Gore's book entitled Earth in the Balance, was the first book written by a United States Senator to make the New York Times bestseller list (Rodale, 2006). The book was very well received when it was first released in 1992. It is still to this current date; receiving many positive comments about how popular the book was as time of its release and the positive reception that followed after its release. When Reviewed by renowned author Ken Ingham, he stated "This is perhaps the most comprehensive statement about the environment that has ever been made by a major politician," (Ingham, 1997). The book Earth in the Balance was the first New York Times bestselling book that was written by a U.S. Senator. The subject was also about a controversial topic of global warming the problems associated with it; this allowed the book to stand out from other books of its era as it called out why actions were not taken and why things got worse economically. From book reviewer Tina Tam, "Earth in the Balance is an insightful book filled with valuable information and distinguished by a comprehensive proposal for the global ecological crisis," (Tam, 2008). The book received many reviews similar to these, and it continued on up until the current times. Some people disagreed with Al Gore's writing, just like with every other book written, there will be people saying its wrong and that global warming is a conspiracy made by the government to get more money from the hardworking American. Other people who may disagree with the book are people who are not willing to change how they live for fear of a "harder" life style, which can be seen as the American way. In my opinion, it is not possible to expect good change without working harder and giving up un- needed luxuries and desires. As far as the books reception goes, it has not gotten more publicity and has received many positive reviews from various readers and environmental activists.
The book brought environmental problems such as, Global Warming, into the spot light of society by directly stating what is happening and what it could possible cause to other nations. The book explains how everyday choices can impact the conditions of the local environment (Ingham, 1997). Choices that we make every day can help change the impact of global warming; this was put into the book to draw the audience in, causing us to believe we can make a difference. This was a very strong tool used by Al Gore to make him more popular amongst the people he wanted to represent. Quoted from ontheissues.org, "Politicians address immediate problems, not long-term ones. Our leaders are ignoring the threat to the environment. Polls and technology dominate politics, not substances" (ontheissues.org, 2013). Al Gore bluntly states why nothing is being done about environmental issues on a political level in this quote, making him seem on level with "us" as the average American. He uses this tactic to make him look like the good guy in the election, make him look good because he is pointing out everything that is wrong environmentally, and that he is planning on fixing and changing what’s wrong. Throughout the book, Al Gore talks about; global warming on polar ice caps, American waters being unsafe to drink because of pollution, leaders ignoring the environmental issues, and how Americans are making so much waste that it is poisoning itself, blindly. Over all, the book caused thousands, if not more, Americans to look at their lives and question how they are impacting, not only their neighbors, but how they are impacting themselves.
Works Cited
"Earth in the Balance: Ecology of the Human Spirit." Books. Google. Web. 3 March 2014.
Ingham, Ken. "Poetry Prose and Other Words." Rev. of "Earth in the Balance: Ecology of the human Spirit." by Al Gore. 1992. Web.
"Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit, by Al Gore." ontheissues.org. n.d. Web. 3 March 2014.
Tam, Tina. "Book Review-Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit." Rev. of "Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit." by Al Gore. 1992. Web.
The book brought environmental problems such as, Global Warming, into the spot light of society by directly stating what is happening and what it could possible cause to other nations. The book explains how everyday choices can impact the conditions of the local environment (Ingham, 1997). Choices that we make every day can help change the impact of global warming; this was put into the book to draw the audience in, causing us to believe we can make a difference. This was a very strong tool used by Al Gore to make him more popular amongst the people he wanted to represent. Quoted from ontheissues.org, "Politicians address immediate problems, not long-term ones. Our leaders are ignoring the threat to the environment. Polls and technology dominate politics, not substances" (ontheissues.org, 2013). Al Gore bluntly states why nothing is being done about environmental issues on a political level in this quote, making him seem on level with "us" as the average American. He uses this tactic to make him look like the good guy in the election, make him look good because he is pointing out everything that is wrong environmentally, and that he is planning on fixing and changing what’s wrong. Throughout the book, Al Gore talks about; global warming on polar ice caps, American waters being unsafe to drink because of pollution, leaders ignoring the environmental issues, and how Americans are making so much waste that it is poisoning itself, blindly. Over all, the book caused thousands, if not more, Americans to look at their lives and question how they are impacting, not only their neighbors, but how they are impacting themselves.
Works Cited
"Earth in the Balance: Ecology of the Human Spirit." Books. Google. Web. 3 March 2014.
Ingham, Ken. "Poetry Prose and Other Words." Rev. of "Earth in the Balance: Ecology of the human Spirit." by Al Gore. 1992. Web.
"Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit, by Al Gore." ontheissues.org. n.d. Web. 3 March 2014.
Tam, Tina. "Book Review-Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit." Rev. of "Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit." by Al Gore. 1992. Web.