Testimonials
Problems we can fix if we choose to
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2020
"With this book, Penniman continues his series of well researched books on our relationship with the environment. He begins with a parable, the story of Dorothy, a sea turtle whose short life ends in a sea of red tide. Her death is inexplicable. She has the capability to swim away from the red peril, but appears to chose not to. As Penniman’s story of science and politics runs its course, we see our own kind capable of swimming away from the peril but choosing not to. In our case, of course, the peril is largely of our own making. But all is not lost. His story ends on a hopeful note as Florida’s political forces seem to acknowledge the corner that we have waded into."
- David Parsons
Algae Can be Interesting, and Scary!
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2020
"A Toxic Inconvenience: Red Tide and Blue-Green Algae on Florida's Coast" is a science book for the layman that makes the global water crises involving algae both interesting and readable. Why should we care? Well, if you live near Lake Erie, or Brittany, France, or Southwest Florida, or a hundred other places around the world, you should. While this book focuses on one of the worst algae disasters -- South Florida's rivers and coast -- it explains why algae blooms can be dangerous to human health, more than we we ever knew. Pennimen's book features the crisis in South Florida, where blue-green algae has recently fouled rivers, estuaries and and canals, and where the SW coast has been plagued with greater and longer-lasting "red tides" than ever before, which cause respiratory illness and may be doing serious harm to our brains and immune systems.
Inconvenient to be sure! And a toxic truth.
Red tides have been around for centuries, but they now seem to be on steroids, their increasing duration and toxicity caused by human-caused pollution. This book explains how and why, and what we need to do about it."
- Neville Williams
5 STAR REVIEW
THE go-to resource on this awful phenomenon
"Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a truly comprehensive look at the awful phenomenon of red tide and blue-green algae. It's well written -- scientific but not too technical. It provides both the history, plus examples of real-world impact, including the economic effects on Florida. Most importantly, for me, it gives you a sense of what can be done about it. It's the only book of its kind. Perhaps the first of its kind, in fact. Whether you're a concerned citizen or a policy maker, this is THE go-to resource.
One person found this helpful."
- Amazon Customer