Diluted!!!

In this longish book, Jeff Goodell, a journalist, discusses the rise of ocean levels due to climate change and its potential impact on coastal cities. All the expected locations are covered, including Miami Beach, New York City, Venice, Lagos and Rotterdam.

Though the book includes countless tidbits of thought-provoking information, it does not seem to follow any specific structure. Indeed, it just ends, as if the author’s (clearly high) research budget had run out or his editor had insisted that now was the time to complete the work.

In fact, writing in the first person, Jeff Goodell essentially shares what he calls his reporting in preparing the book. Though the reader is spared with any personal details regarding his wife, his parents or his dog, the author, presumably to add human interest, wastes much space in sharing that he landed at such airport, rented a car, drove to such location, ate lasagna for lunch, etc. He does not shy away from what amounts to bragging: having an hour-long one-on-one interview with Barack Obama during his four-hour stay in an Arctic community, being present at the conclusion to the Paris Climate Conference, meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry on his plane (‘not as posh as Air Force One’), etc.

Overall, despite the topic’s importance, it appears preferable to pass over this work.

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