Surviving in the Age of Disaster

In 'Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age,' Annalee Newitz takes readers on an adventure through the deep history of urban life, exploring the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, the Roman town of Pompeii, the medieval megacity of Angkor, and the indigenous metropolis Cahokia. Newitz investigates the mix of environmental changes and political turmoil that led to the abandonment of these cities and highlights the contributions of often anonymous workers such as slaves, women, immigrants, and manual laborers. The book connects the histories of these cities to the challenges facing urban life in the twenty-first century, foreseeing a future where most people will live in cities and drawing lessons from the past to inform our future[1][2][4].

The Terraformers is a sweeping science fiction novel set on the planet Sask-E, a private planet terraformed by the corporation Verdance to replicate Pleistocene Earth. The story follows Destry, a member of the Environmental Rescue Team, as she uncovers a hidden city within a massive volcano, leading her to question the mission she has devoted her life to. The novel spans thousands of years, delving into the triumphs, strife, and hope that define human and non-human existence in a future where the concept of personhood has expanded to include intelligent robots and animals[1][3][4].