This is an entertaining and thought-provoking travel book with a difference. In a kind of perverse eco-tourism quest, Andrew Blackwell sought out places with terrible pollution problems.
The book focuses on seven places or themes: Chernobyl (the star attraction), oil sands mining in Fort McMurray (Canada), oil refining in Port Arthur in Texas, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, logging and soy planting in the Amazon rainforest, coal mining and electronics recycling in China and the sewage-contaminated Yamuna River, India. These chapters were all interesting to read, except for Port Arthur, which had too much description of the process of oil refining.
I enjoyed the writing style with its sharp observations and self-deprecating humour. It was fascinating how the author was constantly evaluating his quest, wondering whether he should be disappointed at finding cheerful people and natural beauty in places which were supposedly ugly, stinky and toxic. He’s aware that the book could be sensationalist, that he could revel in the sordid details of degraded environments too far away for most people to worry about. The result is a balanced view, looking at all sides of the stories he encounters. He emphasises that environmental conservation is not just about protecting animals and forests; there are many other issues to think about, particularly the need for conservation groups to consider the local people’s way of life too.
There were no photos, which was disappointing. Andrew Blackwell often mentions stopping to take photos, so why aren’t any included? Otherwise, this was a good read, possibly a little out of date now (his journeys were undertaken at least ten years ago) and will appeal to anyone who wants a travel book with a difference.
First published in 2013.
Pictures would have been welcome indeed! Great review 🙂 It’s definitely a different kind of tourism! x
Thanks! 🙂 I really would have liked pictures. It’s a unique book that’s for sure.
This sounds fascinating! I hadn’t heard of it but it is a really interesting take on a travelogue. May have to look for this one. Thanks for the excellent introduction to it!
Thanks for reading my review 🙂 I certainly hadn’t read any travel book like it before. I would recommend if you find it at the library like I did.
That’s good to know. I’ll have a look!
Fab review! Too bad there aren’t any photos and like you I wonder why not?
Thanks! Yes there really should have been some. No idea why not!
Fascinating! Books like this remind us that we are doing the wrong thing by our planet.
Fascinating! Agree with you and the other commentators that photos would provide even more impact to the author’s message.
Thanks! Yes, this book absolutely needed pictures.
I find the story of Chernobyl fascinating, and whilst this sounds great to echo other comments the lack of pictures really puts me off unfortunately.
The chapter on Chernobyl is the best one (the star attraction as it were) but yes it needed pictures!
Chernobyl has been on my mind lately, because I just finished reading an oral history of the disaster and the aftermath. I think it was used as a source material for the HBO Chernobyl mini series?
I haven’t seen the series but I did read a book on it by Adam Higginbotham. I’ve seen a couple of other books on Chernobyl around too.
I haven’t seen the series but I did read a book on it by Adam Higginbotham. I’ve seen a couple of other books on Chernobyl around too.
Oh it’s a pity this didn’t include photos. But it sounds like an interesting read!
I know 🙁 Thanks, it was certainly eye-opening.