The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light - Couverture souple

Bogard, Paul

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0007428219 ISBN 13 : 9780007428212

Editeur : Fourth Estate Ltd, 2014

Synopsis

Streetlamps, neon signs - an ever-present glow that has changed the natural world and adversely affected our health; Paul Bogard illuminates the problems caused by a lack of darkness. We live awash in artificial light. But night's natural darkness has always been invaluable for our spiritual health and the health of the natural world, and every living creature suffers from its loss. Paul Bogard investigates what we mean when we talk about darkness. He travels between the intensely lit cities - from glittering Las Vegas to the gas-lit streets of Westminster - and the sites where real darkness still remains, such as the Brecon Beacons and the island of Sark. Encountering scientists, physicians, activists and writers, Bogard discusses how light is negatively affecting the natural world; how our well-being is significantly influenced by darkness or its lack; and how it's not a matter of using light at night or not, but rather when and where, how and how much. A beautiful invocation of our constant companion, the night, which returns every day of our lives, this book reminds us of the power and mystery of the dark.

A propos du livre

Revue de presse :

Longlisted for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award

Finalist, Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award

Chosen as one of Gizmodo's Best Books of 2013

An Amazon Best Book of the Month, Nonfiction: Editors' Pick, July 2013

2014 Nautilus Award Silver Winner

"A lyrical, far-reaching book. Part elegy, part call-to-arms, The End of Night feels like an essential addition to the literature of nature." -- Boston Globe

"A moving, poetic, immersive, multifaceted, and thought-provoking study... Terrific." -- Publishers Weekly

"[Bogard] offers delightful insights from experts on the activities of nature during the night.... Bogard will leave readers in awe of darkness and in admiration of his book." -- Library Journal (starred review)

"It's impossible to read it without feeling the impulse to set out for the spaces beyond the city limits and spread out a blanket under the stars." -- Columbus Dispatch

"Absorbing... The End of Night delivers a forceful...critique of our overexposed world." -- Wall Street Journal

"Appealing.... An engaging blend of personal story, hard science and a bit of history." -- Kirkus Reviews

"An enthralling reminder of the power and pleasures of the dark." -- The Bookseller

"Introducing us to the pitch-black island of Sark, and groups such as Civil Twilight (designer of streetlights that shut off under moonlight) and Starlight Reserves (which considers freedom from light pollution a basic right), Bogard makes a solid case for hitting the national dimmer switch." -- Mother Jones

"A paean to a type of deep darkness most Americans have lost." -- Wilson Quarterly

Présentation de l'éditeur :

A deeply panoramic tour of the night, from its brightest spots to the darkest skies we have left.
A starry night is one of nature's most magical wonders. Yet in our artificially lit world, three-quarters of Americans' eyes never switch to night vision and most of us no longer experience true darkness. In THE END OF NIGHT, Paul Bogard restores our awareness of the spectacularly primal, wildly dark night sky and how it has influenced the human experience across everything from science to art.
From Las Vegas' Luxor Beam--the brightest single spot on this planet--to nights so starlit the sky looks like snow, Bogard blends personal narrative, natural history, science, and history to shed light on the importance of darkness--what we've lost, what we still have, and what we might regain--and the simple ways we can reduce the brightness of our nights tonight.

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: Fourth Estate Ltd
• Date d'édition: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0007428219
• ISBN 13: 9780007428212
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 336