Rating: 
Summary: Too much ignored...
Review: Having read both sides of this issue, (this book and the well written "Environmental Overkill") I must say that Mr. Gore should try researching his subjects a little more before taking up the pen.Lacking space to provide all the details, let me just say that there are a myriad of highly respected facts/studies/researchers that Mr. Gore either ignored or did not look for when gathering info for this book. His arguements, which I considered carefully when comparing them, seemed to fall to pieces under the overpowering weight of scientifically recorded evidence. I would like to say this to all Environmentalists and Green Party members: Your dedication is admirable, but I beg you to take an objective look at the opposite viewpoint before giving your support to a program that may not be what is best for this country or the world. The main book I would suggest is "Environmental Overkill". That book is written without the name calling and blatant "in your face" Rush style that even many Conservatives find annoying. Rather, it takes a very objective look at both sides and supplies mountains of verifiable scientific data to back up its arguements.
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Summary: WSU Professor uses EIB as text in Env. Ethics course
Review: Al Gore is a politician, not a professional philosopher. Given that, it is a very thoughtful and well-researched essay. Imnportant themes in EIB are: 1. We need to develop a geological long-term perspective to clearly evaluate environmental issues. 2. There is an immanent threat of global warming, and we need to drastically reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. One solution is to reduce our dependence on automobile transportation. 3. Our destruction of the environment is a symptom of a deeper "psychic pain" and spiritual void that we try to fill through excessive consumption.
Rating: 
Summary: Courageous
Review: Whether you like Al Gore and his book or not, the simple fact is that he is one of the few major politicians in this country willing to take a definitive stand on a sensitive issue. Certainly there are biographies and hagiographies of all his major presidential opponents, but not a single one of them has had the courage to make a significant policy stand on an issue like the environment. This book is worth buying and reading for the simple reason that it offers us the rare opportunity to get a detailed look at the proposed policy of a man who could very well be the next leader of the U.S.
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Summary: It's all about Government Power
Review: This book brings to mind these famous words: "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed - and hence clamorous to be led to safety - by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary." -- H.L. Mencken
Rating: 
Summary: Says more about Gore than about the environment
Review: I don't know enough about relevant scientific issues to know whether Al Gore's right about global warming or about the other environmental issues he addresses in his book. However, this book can tell you a lot about Al Gore even if it doesn't tell you much about global warming. To name a few examples: *Al Gore is NOT the extremist that he was as in the lastelection. Most of his seemingly controversial statements (e.g. about environmental protection being "a central organizing principle") make sense in context. Gore consistenly emphasizes his support of the Cold War and of the market economy. *Al Gore (or his ghostwriter) IS a pompous pseudo-intellectual. This book was filled with vague, back to nature gibberish about dysfunctional civilizations, oneness with nature, and other concepts with no obvious significance.
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Summary: I only wish Al Gore were wrong. . .but
Review: I read the book several years ago and was depressed by the possibilities presented for the future of the earth - even though Gore offered optimistic hope for prevention through "stewardship" of the earth. I work in a technological industry that also wanted to believe Gore to be wrong...however, we are examining environmental data for our industry and see much of his predictions are coming true. I sit in a trailor waiting for repair of corporate offices due to a tornado one of so many this year. I fear he is correct. Many readers who condemn his predictions are looking for reasons to disregard his data because of politics.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: All those angry reviewers remind me of something Princess Diana's brother said, to the effect that he couldn't understand exactly why the press were so hard on her, except that "the truly good" just brought out a vicious streak in some people. Al Gore's book is Truly Good. Too bad so many people who didn't read the book (or failed to comprehend it) have managed to slew the numbers of the approval ratings here, but it's amusing to read their comments; having read the book myself, it's obvious that a lot of them haven't. This book is about taking responsibilty for our effect on the environment, and how to do this through policy. It's extremely interesting and full of useful information of several kinds. Although I'm not traditionally religious I found myself feeling some new respect for religion after Gore explained how religion taught him his attitude. I'd heard of "stewardship" before, but Gore shows what it really means. Gore doesn't pull any punches about just how bad things are, but he also pulls off a miracle by making you feel it's still possible to do something about it. A GREAT book which I'd recommend to anybody with a sincere interest in this topic, or even an open mind about it. Another miracle - that someone with a mind and spirit like this is still in public office. We're very fortunate, indeed.
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Summary: Another "Crisis"
Review: A book filled with allegations of damage to the environment due to the evils of modern industrial civilization. As usual, we are told that there is a scientific consensus that there is a crisis and that the time to act is now, when in reality no consensus exists among scientists for many of the environmental problems cited. For a more balanced view on the state of the environment, I recommend "The Ultimate Resource 2" by Julian Simon, or "The True State of the Plant" by Ronald Bailey.
Rating:
Summary: Alarmist fiction with zero scientific credibility
Review: Like his fellow alarmists such as Ehrlich, Gore emplys a great deal of demagoguery and scare-tactics, with an almost negligible amount of credible scientific evidence to back it. If you've read this book or are planning to read it it, you should also read "Eco-Scam" by Ronald Bailey to get a more accurate picture of the issue.
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Summary: Possibly the most informed book on the environment ever!
Review: Al Gore has just proven himself as the most intelligent man in Washington. I never expected such a diverse stream of knowledge to come from the mind of a politician. Gore's book is a complete work, from the description of the problem, in part one, to the cause, in part two, to the solution, in part three. I especially enjoyed part two, where Gore quite expertly equated the current state of things with Cartesian dualism. Imagine, a politician who knows philosophy! If we had more of this sort of person in government, the world would be a much better place indeed! Now that I have read this book, I truly hope that Al Gore can become our first philosopher President. I found it puzzling that a couple of reviewers claimed that Gore's arguements are not backed up. I found the numerous citing of sources as one of the strengths of this book. Gore constantly and meticulously cites studies and reports both in the text and in the endnotes. There is nothing left to question here. Besides, being originally from Kentucky and seeing what both individuals corporations can do to the air and water supply there, there is no question that Gore's call to action is a legitimate one. His call to action is for all of us, and if you don't believe Gore, then just look around you. Gore's evidence is right before your eyes.
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