I wouldn't go so far as to say that Wilson invented the notion of biophilia (although I believe he invented the term in 1979). Before and since 'Biophilia' a number of scientists and philosophers who see the human species as simply one among many, and who have asked the question of how - over millions of years - we have lived among those other species have touched on the nature of these inter-species relationships and ecological arrangements. In essence it is an argument about where we might have fitted into the web of life in our longer evolutionary history, and how we might discern that not just from our biology, and paleontology, but also by examining relics of those ancient patterns in our personal and social psychology. Where and how do we fit in? Perhaps where we are most comfortable, and in such a manner as comes 'most naturally' to us.

But as Wilson points out, our species success in recent times in over-running the planet and modifying it so thoroughly threatens to destroy it, and us with it. Written at the height of the Cold War, Wilson suggests that we consider the possibility of species and habitat extinction as just as likely to result in our own destruction as a rain of H Bombs, For the point he makes is that our relationship with nature is not just a quaint historical (evolutionary) fact, but an ongoing biological necessity. Considering the impact of loss of habitat on species and plant diversity (and survival), Wilson asks us to consider how many of these losses might have a direct impact on our ability in the future to create new crops and medicines. Through examples of his own naturalist career he reminds us that the disturbance of even the smallest part of an eco-system can result in a cascade of species extinctions. And he might have added that every species extinction is a canary that dies, warning us about the potential toxicity of the environment we are building around ourselves on this planet. Wilson wonders whether simply spreading 'off-planet' is a viable solution, given that space colonies (as currently conceived) are even more fragile ecologies than the ones we are currently destroying.

Wilson's message at the end of the day is not about reversing history, but understanding the impacts of our history, and harnessing our persistent psychological attachment to the natural world to reinforce what our scientific understanding tells us about it and our future in it. In 1984 Wilson saw the human species poised on a precipice. Nearly thirty years later we are still there. Highly recommended, not least because it is a very compact book that offers not just the theory of biophilia, but also a series of engaging vignettes about Wilson's field work, and as good an explanation of scientific thinking and reasoning as you'll find anywhere. Possibly a landmark text for anyone with an interest in the natural sciences and the human condition. ( )