The Aliens Among Us

October 1, 2017
Science journalist Anthony tackles a subject all too familiar to backyard gardeners everywhere (or anyone paying attention to Florida news: those Everglades pythons just keep getting bigger and bigger!) in this wryly written and enlightening look at the hard work required to stop invasive species. Out in the field with those combating the scourge of knotweed, Scotch broom, Asian carp, lampreys, and, yes, pythons, Anthony probes the histories of how so many plants, animals, and insects have ended up in the wrong places, (blame seafarers for transporting rats to 90-percent of the world) and just why this is all a very real, potentially devastating problem. He calls out those who downplay the crisis, exposing their faulty optimism (not unlike that of climate change deniers) with laser-like precision, although his frustration at their dubious arguments is palpable. Most certainly a celebration of so many dedicated and hard-working scientists, this witty, keenly observant, and fearless title, with photographs and source list, is proof that Anthony is a writer to watch.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)