A Critique for Ecology

Rating:
Summary: Essential for all ecologists
Review: A masterpiece. A devastating, but constructive, account of what's wrong with ecological science. It has changed my whole approach to the subject - I can't speak too highly of this book; everyone should read it

Rating:
Summary: A welcome discussion of major issues in ecology
Review: This book takes on some of the fundamental assumptions (and misperceptions) that are commonly presented in Ecology and Environmental Studies. Writing in a clear and forthright manner Peters lays out philosophical underpinnings of many of the "sacred cows" that all too often get tossed out to eager students by reluctant, unwilling professors who have been drafted into teaching "General Ecology" when they would much rather be doing their research. These cows then wander off and become fixed features of High School texts & wind up before legislators as accepted wisdom, rather than the tentative (and often ill-formed) hypotheses that they are. Peters is to be commended by both the strength and range of his arguments. This should be "must reading" for graduate students and advanced undergraduates.

Rating:
Summary: A welcome discussion of major issues in ecology
Review: This book takes on some of the fundamental assumptions (and misperceptions) that are commonly presented in Ecology and Environmental Studies. Writing in a clear and forthright manner Peters lays out philosophical underpinnings of many of the "sacred cows" that all too often get tossed out to eager students by reluctant, unwilling professors who have been drafted into teaching "General Ecology" when they would much rather be doing their research. These cows then wander off and become fixed features of High School texts & wind up before legislators as accepted wisdom, rather than the tentative (and often ill-formed) hypotheses that they are. Peters is to be commended by both the strength and range of his arguments. This should be "must reading" for graduate students and advanced undergraduates.