“In this fascinating book, Bradshaw and Ehrlich compare the environmental and social factors that have led to the degradation of the environment on the opposite sides of the earth—both countries with an origin in the British Isles, but the United States with a much larger biocapacity and about fourteen times as many people. In lively and clear prose, the authors offer many cogent observations on the current plights of their respective countries and offer suggestions about how each could learn from the experiences of the other. Readers of this book will find both pleasure and enlightenment in following the intellectual and emotional journeys of its talented authors and will find much practical wisdom in their recommendations and conclusions.”
— Peter H. Raven, president emeritus, Missouri Botanical Garden
“In Killing the Koala and Poisoning the Prairie, two renowned scientists from opposite ends of the Earth, deadly serious even when being drolly funny, pull no punches about the fact that the most critical decisions on our planet are currently being made by people least qualified to do so: politicians who have scant understanding of the intricate interdependencies of global ecology (including human ecology) and who increasingly and blatantly do the bidding of an elite few. Scientists rarely are so frank about that in public, or in such detail, and it’s high time that some took off the gloves because their deniers have no qualms about going to great, expensive lengths to try to discredit them. Bradshaw and Ehrlich’s clarity about that is refreshing, irresistibly readable, and long overdue.”
— Alan Weisman, author of Countdown: Our Last, Best Hope for a Future on Earth?
“It’s a grim book though leavened by the wit and entertaining style of the authors. The final chapter offers much practical wisdom in its conclusions. Highly recommended.”
— Sustainable Population Australia
"These two prominent and well-established scientists, hailing from opposite ends of the globe, carefully dissect the multitude of political, social, and ecological factors that shaped the creation of similar and oft-times reckless environmental policies of the two nations. . . . A wonderful introduction to the deep history of ecological degradation and the current weak environmental policies of both Australia and the United States."
— Arun Dayanandan, Biological Conservation