In 'Feral', George Monbiot explores the concept of rewilding, advocating for the restoration of natural ecosystems and the reintroduction of native species. The book delves into how rewilding can revitalize both the environment and human society. Ana Momplet Chico translated the book into Spanish as 'Salvaje'.
In 'Our Place', Mark Cocker delves into the state of Britain's wildlife, questioning why the natural world is in decline despite the nation's reputation as animal lovers. The book offers a sobering yet magnificent exploration of the challenges facing Britain's ecosystems and the imperative to act before it's too late.
In 'The Marches', Rory Stewart embarks on a journey across the borderlands between England and Scotland, reflecting on history, family, and the changing landscapes of the UK. The book chronicles two walks: one with his father along Hadrian's Wall and another solo journey across the Middleland, exploring themes of identity, nationhood, and personal connection.
In 'Going Infinite', Michael Lewis delves into the life of Sam Bankman-Fried, the enigmatic founder of the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The book provides a psychological portrait and a financial roller-coaster ride, tracing Bankman-Fried's trajectory from becoming the world's youngest billionaire to his eventual downfall. It covers topics such as high-frequency trading, cryptocurrencies, effective altruism, and the justice system. Despite criticism for its sympathetic portrayal of Bankman-Fried, the book offers a fascinating insight into the complex world of cryptocurrencies and the character of its central figure.
We tend to think of these uplands as ‘wild’ and ‘natural’. But in fact, as the rewilders point out, they are entirely man-made, the result of clearances by man to make way for millions of sheep whose grazing over the last 200 years has rendered the land bare. Sheep farming, once a major source of Britain’s wealth, is now largely uneconomic and depends on billions of pounds of subsidies. But where rewilding is taking place, in Britain and in Europe, a boom in tourism is providing a more sustainable local economy. We must make space for wild nature in places where farming does not make sense. That’s romantic tosh, say the opponents of rewilding. People matter too, and the idea that we should do away with traditional ways of life for the sake of wild bilberries and wolves is getting things out of proportion. In 2018, Intelligence Squared brought together four speakers who care passionately about the countryside but disagree profoundly on how we should manage it. Speaking for the motion were Mark Cocker, author and naturalist and George Monbiot, Guardian columnist, environmental campaigner and author of Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet. Speaking against the motion were Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers' Union and Rory Stewart Former Conservative government minister, whose new book is Politics On the Edge. Our chair for the event was Jonathan Dimbleby, broadcaster, documentary maker and author.
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