Chapter 1

Field Notes From a Catastrophe - Man, Nature, and Climate Change by Elizabeth Kolbert

The beginning of the book was interesting to me. The subject of the book I felt would have bored me. The start was a good enough beginning to keep me going besides the fact that it's homework.
Within the very first line of the story about watching the icebergs flowing by was funny and I personally believe that comedy is always a great way to start a story.


For the most part I thought the writing was good. I'm sure they're some who are against how the author writes and it could be biased. Well for one it's chapter one. There's plenty of book left for someone to give their opinion on if Kolbert is biased or not.

In my opinion what the author is doing is a great form of journalism. When I say this I mean by going out there in the middle of everything and then later writing about it. Getting into the situation is always a great way to learn about an area or anything for that matter.

For those who are not just experienced in or have vast knowledge of the subjects discussed in the book, I think she does a good job in trying to keep someone like me who doesn't have much knowledge on the subject interested. Whether it's little things like when she talks to Morris Kiyutelluk and mentions that his last name means without a wooden spoon. It could through you off for a second, but it's a book. When I say it's a book I mean that it's not just straight foward information. There needs to be some entertainment involved with the book.

I also think that Kolbert provides great background information on places she went to. For one when she talks about Fairbanks, Alaska. She writes about the fires that go one for months and months there and how you need to wear these glasses to protect yourself when you are out there. More great information she gives is how there was a fire where 6.3 million acres had been incenerated.