I'm going to ask students to read a book about the intersection of ecology and human actions. There will be about four books to choose from, and a short-essay (= long paragraph) question on the final exam about them (with a version for each book).

In case students would like to get their book or start reading now, the choices will include the following (links are to Amazon):

• A Short History of Progress, by Ronald Wright
• The Omnivore's dilemma, by Michael Pollan
• The Golden Spruce: a True Story of Myth, Madness and Greed, by John Vaillant

I'll be asking for suggestions of a fourth book choice when term starts, but I'd welcome suggestions here.