Title:

Earth Abides

Author:

George R. Stewart

Publisher:

Fawcett

International Standard Book Number: (ISBN)

0449213013

Library of Congress Card Number:

It may astonish some who read this review to find that I place this title under the heading of "Philosophy". Many would certainly summarize and simply relegate it to the ranks of yet another science fiction novel. I can tell you most emphatically, this book is one of the most thought provoking stories I have ever read!

The book is Earth Abides by George R. Stewart. It tells the story of a post apocalyptic ecological disaster, and it was written in 1949! The story follows the life of the young environmentalist Isherwood, doing field studies and writing his college thesis on "The Ecology of the Black Creek Area". A chance occurrence of fate happens when "Ish", after being bitten by a rattle snake, comes to the realization that this bite has saved him from an event that has killed not only his parents, but most of the Earth's population. This event ultimately leads him to reassess the value of life, of mind, and of action! You will be thrilled beyond words when you see how he and "his tribe", cope with a planet that will abide!