Greenhouse

E: The Environmental Magazine, May, 1999

Gale E. Christianson dispels the idea that global warming is a modern phenomenon in Greenhouse: The Dramatic 200-Year Story of Global Warming Walker Publishing, $22). The historical account begins with natural philosophers and scientists, who first described the Earth as a giant greenhouse. The discussion then shifts into the industrial realm of fossil fuel use, and concludes with 20th century researchers debating the globe's demise, from El Nino events to decimated penguin populations.

With this book, Christianson shows that the controversy over global warming has escaped its think-tank roots and become accessible to the general public.