Below are some selected books relevant to The Vanishing of a Species? Note that this list is not complete and that comments are purely personal opinions, which you may or may not share. It is left to your resourcefulness to find other, equally, or more relevant, texts.

Vance PACKARD

A good, common sense man who has pointed out many flaws of our society before a more general awareness has set in. Most recommended are his earlier books, such as Hidden Persuaders, The Waste Makers, and The Status Seekers.

Pierre BERTON

The Comfortable Pew. A critical look at the church in the new age. A study commissioned by the Anglican church. Very thought provoking.

Robert ARDREY

African Genesis, The Territorial Imperative and The Social Contract. A powerful and entertaining writer not afraid to draw conclusions. Strongly opposed by many, but good common sense is apparent in his arguments.

Ashley MONTAGU

Editor of Man and Aggression – a series of articles intended to refute Ardrey’s conclusion that man has been a killer of his own species for a LONG time. The argument whether human aggression is a product of the biological or the cultural evolution of man is addressed. On the whole, this series of articles seems weak to me, but you should not fail to assess the other opinion and draw your own conclusions.

Konrad LORENZ

On Aggression. A well known animal behaviourist and ethicist tells his story. He makes many interesting observations. Recent Nobel Prize winner. Opposed by some, not least because of his past during Nazi Germany.

John CHRISTOPHER

No Blade of Grass. A major catastrophic event wipes out a large percentage of the earth’s population. What Christopher thinks will happen when “the chips are down.” If you don’t like it, read a similar account by one who has more faith in humanity:

Albert CAMUS

The Plague.

Alexander SOLZHENITSYN

The greatest in my book. First Circle, The Cancer Ward, and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich are masterpieces. His short Nobel Prize lecture offers the most food for thought per dollar. I believe that it is necessary to undergo the experiences of a Solzhenitsyn in order to develop such perception. However, again just yesterday a student claimed that these experiences simply drove this author around the bend. Make up your own mind.

Gaylord SIMPSON

The Meaning of Evolution. The closing chapter has much to say about man. Simpson is one of the most outstanding minds in the field of geology. He has managed to pack a great deal of wisdom into terse statements. Remember my many quotes.

Björn KURTÉN

Not From the Apes. Another serious account of man’s early history.

Donella and Dennis MEADOWS et al.

The Limits to Growth and their antagonist:

John MADDOX

The Doomsday Syndrome. We have discussed this topic sufficiently in the preceding pages. It remains for you to weigh the arguments and form your own opinion.

Thomas Robert MALTHUS

An Essay on the Principle of Population. Written in 1798! A much mentioned classic, available as a Pelican Classic.