The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2017

The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2017 presents a collection of notable science journalism pieces curated by Hope Jahren, author of Lab Girl. The anthology compiles works originally published in magazines and journals throughout 2016, covering topics from medicine and technology to ecology and space exploration. The selected articles come from publications including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Scientific American, and National Geographic. Writers tackle subjects ranging from artificial intelligence and climate change to neuroscience and marine biology through a combination of reporting and narrative storytelling. Contributing authors examine both breakthrough discoveries and ongoing scientific challenges, while Jahren provides context through her role as guest editor. Her selections emphasize the human elements within scientific pursuits and the real-world implications of research. The collection reflects broader conversations about science's role in society, environmental concerns, and the relationship between technological progress and human experience. Through varied perspectives and approaches, the anthology captures a snapshot of scientific discourse during a pivotal period.

Readers appreciate this collection for tackling current scientific issues like climate change, medicine, and space exploration through engaging personal narratives. Several reviewers note the accessible writing style makes complex topics understandable without oversimplifying. Readers highlight essays like "The Bat Man Cometh" about white-nose syndrome in bats, and "Editing New Life" on CRISPR technology as standouts. Multiple reviews praise the diversity of topics and writing styles. Common criticisms focus on uneven quality between essays. Some readers found certain pieces too technical or dry. A few note that the collection skews heavily toward environmental topics at the expense of other scientific fields. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (252 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (41 ratings) Sample reader comment: "A mix of cautionary tales and hopeful innovations. The science is solid but the storytelling varies - some pieces grip you while others drag." - Goodreads reviewer

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson This foundational work of environmental science writing combines research and narrative to reveal pesticides' effects on ecosystems.

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman The book explores how Earth's ecosystems would respond if humans vanished through a blend of research, interviews, and scientific observation.

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren A scientist's memoir interweaves botanical research with personal experiences in laboratory work and field studies.

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben Research findings from forestry science reveal the communication networks and social bonds between trees in forest ecosystems.

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert Field research and scientific studies document how human activity drives current species extinction rates on Earth.

🌿 Hope Jahren, the editor of this collection, is a renowned geobiologist who won the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for her memoir "Lab Girl" 🔬 The anthology includes pieces from prestigious publications like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Scientific American, covering topics from space exploration to medical breakthroughs 🧬 Several essays in the collection address pressing environmental issues, including climate change and species extinction, reflecting the critical scientific concerns of 2017 🏆 Hope Jahren became the first woman to be awarded the Young Investigator Medal from the Geological Society of America in 2005 📚 The Best American Science and Nature Writing series has been published annually since 2000, with each year featuring a different guest editor selecting the year's most compelling science writing