The Anthropocene Reviewed
Essays on a Human-Centered Planet
📘 About This Book
“Masterful. The Anthropocene Reviewed is a beautiful, timely book about the human condition—and a timeless reminder to pay attention to your attention.” —Adam Grant, #1 bestselling author of Think Again and host of the podcast Re:Thinking Instant #1 bestseller! A deeply moving collection of personal essays from John Green, the author of The Fault in Our Stars and Turtles All the Way Down. “Gloriously personal and life-affirming. The perfect book for right now.” —People “Essential to the human conversation.” —Library Journal, starred review The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale—from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar. Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity. John Green’s gift for storytelling shines throughout this masterful collection. The Anthropocene Reviewed is an open-hearted exploration of the paths we forge and an unironic celebration of falling in love with the world.
📖 Summary
The Anthropocene Reviewed by bestselling author John Green is a deeply moving collection of personal essays that examines different facets of our human-centered planet on a unique five-star scale. The title refers to the current geologic age, a period defined by the profound ways in which human activity has reshaped the Earth and its biodiversity. Adapted from Green's popular podcast of the same name, this 305-page book of literary collections offers a symphony of observations about modern life, blending rigorous curiosity with profound emotional vulnerability. Throughout the pages, Green turns his critical and compassionate eye toward a wildly eclectic mix of subjects, ranging from manufactured marvels and pop culture phenomena to everyday natural wonders and mundane items. By reviewing these seemingly disparate elements of the human experience, Green crafts a broader narrative about what it means to be alive during a time of immense ecological and societal transformation. The essays are gloriously personal, weaving together historical anecdotes, scientific facts, and intimate moments from Green's own life, including his struggles with mental health and his experiences with parenting. These reflections challenge readers to look more closely at the world around them and to find meaning in the ordinary. Adam Grant calls the book masterful and a timeless reminder to pay attention to your attention, while People magazine describes it as gloriously personal and life-affirming. Ultimately, The Anthropocene Reviewed serves as an essential addition to the human conversation, offering a timely and empathetic look at our shared condition. It asks us to bear witness to both the devastating impacts of human existence and our capacity for profound beauty, connection, and resilience. Whether exploring the melancholy of the internet age or the simple joy of a shared meal, Green invites his audience to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the fragile, complicated miracle of contemporary existence on a planet shaped entirely by our hands.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Deeply moving and emotional storytelling
Engaging and eclectic mix of subjects
Gloriously personal and life-affirming perspective
Timely commentary on the human condition
⚠️ Cons
May feel episodic rather than following a traditional narrative arc
Heavy emotional themes might not suit every reader's mood
✍️ About the Author
John Green (b. 1977) is an American author known for young adult novels exploring love, illness, and mortality, most notably 'The Fault in Our Stars', which became an international bestseller.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who wrote The Anthropocene Reviewed? +
The book was written by John Green, the bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars and Turtles All the Way Down.
When was the book published? +
It was published in 2021.
How many pages are in the book? +
The book contains 305 pages.
What genre does the book belong to? +
It belongs to the literary-collections genre.
What is the premise of the book? +
John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale, blending personal essay with cultural observation.
