Countdown to Apocalypse: A Scientific Exploration of the End of the World

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Overview

Inspired by the end of the millennium, celebrated science writer Paul Halpern tackles the fate of human civilization and our planet in this meditation on the end of the world. Beginning with the religious origins of the idea of apocalypse, Halpern shows how science has borrowed the metaphor to describe potential worldwide catastrophes. He spins out various scenarios for destruction, from nuclear war and global warming to a great flood and a new Ice Age. He argues that while human history will someday come to a ...
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Overview

Inspired by the end of the millennium, celebrated science writer Paul Halpern tackles the fate of human civilization and our planet in this meditation on the end of the world. Beginning with the religious origins of the idea of apocalypse, Halpern shows how science has borrowed the metaphor to describe potential worldwide catastrophes. He spins out various scenarios for destruction, from nuclear war and global warming to a great flood and a new Ice Age. He argues that while human history will someday come to a close-even if we survived for billions of years, we would eventually face the end of the universe itself-in the meantime we have gained extraordinary control over our fate as a species. Faced with the power to steer our planet toward paradise or transform it into hell, he says, we must take steps to avoid those catalysts of apocalypse that are within our control.
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Editorial Reviews

KLIATT
Affirming that, "There is only so much we can do to postpone the inevitable," Halpern, a physicist at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, casts his eye over humankind's (and the universe's) probable and inescapable end times. He begins by reviewing biblical and mythological images of apocalypse as useful aids to thinking. Halpern believes we may be able to postpone annihilation of the earth and its people by manmade effects such as war, disease and ecological disasters. We may not have control over natural processes such as the appearance of a new disease vector, descent into an ice age, huge outbursts of volcanism, expansion of a dying sun, the devastation caused if the earth is struck by a comet, or the explosion of a star less than 50 light years away. These have precedents. Thoroughly grounded in both history and science, Halpern reminds readers repeatedly of the inevitability of the end of all things. In five billion years, the sun will run out of fuel, and there is, after all, "the law of increasing entropy." But he does not leave readers without hope in the more manageable short term: "Through the choices we make, we could steer our planet toward paradise or transform it into hell on Earth. In the dawn of the third millennium, we'd best take stock of ourselves and develop strategies to preserve our fragile environment." He suggests that humankind could prolong its existence by learning how it could steer away an object headed for collision with the earth or by journeying to another habitable planetary system. This book is an excellent reality check for those who might dismiss warnings concerning the end time as merely the ranting of self-serving sect gurus. Henames and describes the teachings of many of these and notes the negative impact of their most extreme teachings. His clear view of science and human behavior makes this an excellent choice for libraries that have students who like to research this topic but find the information scattered or have little to choose from outside religious writings. There is sometimes too much science that veers from the purpose of the book, but this is not a major flaw. Adults who question or dismiss religion-related apocalyptic visions will appreciate a measured view based on science. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 1998, Perseus, 290p, illus, bibliog, index, 21cm, 00-105210, $16.00. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Edna M. Boardman; Former Lib. Media Spec., Magic City Campus, Minot, ND January 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 1)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780738203584
  • Publisher: Basic Books
  • Publication date: 8/18/2000
  • Pages: 296
  • Lexile: 1320L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 5.18 (w) x 8.00 (h) x 0.78 (d)

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