Resurrection Science

Resurrection Science by M. R. O’Connor, 272 pages

Despite my usual love of fiction, I do occasionally read something else. Often times, due to lack of interest on my part, it never gets blogged about. But Resurrection Science tickled my science fancy enough to make it noteworthy.

Resurrection Science talks about the various methods and efforts of scientist and researchers around the globe who are trying to slow, if not stop the extinction of various animals. Each chapter is arranged as its own essay on a topic. The species that are focused on range from tiny toads to rhinos, from extinct birds to Neanderthals.  Despite his obvious viewpoint, O’Connor takes the time to explain why some little toad in the backwaters of Africa is worth the thousands to millions of dollars it could take to save it. And though he did not fully convince me that every animal in the world is worth saving, he did make a fairly convincing case.

I would only recommend this book to people that like some hard science. O’Connor is heavy on the Latin and some of the real science that goes along with the conservation and preservation of endangered or extinct species. There are no sugar coatings, so do not read this book looking for happy endings or eternal optimism.