What do you think?
Rate this book
Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate, and Hope in a Changing World
Award-winning journalist and CNN chief climate correspondent Bill Weir takes readers through time and around our changing world to confront the biggest threats to life as we know it and search for proven ways to build happier, healthier, and more resilient communities, come what may.
While reporting from every state and continent, and filming his acclaimed CNN Original Series, The Wonder List , Bill Weir has spent decades telling the stories of unique people, places, cultures, and creatures on the brink of change. And as the first Chief Climate Correspondent in network news, he is immersed in the latest scientific warnings and breakthroughs while often on the frontlines of disasters, natural and manmade.
After the birth of his son in April 2020, Bill began distilling these experiences into a series of Earth Day letters for his boy to read in 2050, weaving the worry and wonder into a reminder to other anxious parents that they are not alone and a better future can still be written. This dialog with a boy born into “The Age of Unreason� inspired Life As We Know It (Can Be) . With a storyteller’s flair, Bill digs into fascinating corners of history, psychology, technology, and his own biography to connect the lessons he’s collected from the happiest, healthiest, and most resilient societies.
Bill’s stories take readers on journeys from the Greek Island where people live to 100 at an astonishing rate to the one community in Florida that took on a hurricane and never lost power, from the Antarctic Peninsula where one species of penguin is showing us the key to survival to the nuclear fusion labs where scientists are trying to build a star in box. In these pages, we join a search for ancient wisdom and new ideas.
Life As We Know It (Can Be) is a celebration of the wonders of our planet, a meditation on the human wants and needs that drive it out of balance, and an inspiration for communities to galvanize around nature and each other as the very best way to brace for what’s next.
While reporting from every state and continent, and filming his acclaimed CNN Original Series, The Wonder List , Bill Weir has spent decades telling the stories of unique people, places, cultures, and creatures on the brink of change. And as the first Chief Climate Correspondent in network news, he is immersed in the latest scientific warnings and breakthroughs while often on the frontlines of disasters, natural and manmade.
After the birth of his son in April 2020, Bill began distilling these experiences into a series of Earth Day letters for his boy to read in 2050, weaving the worry and wonder into a reminder to other anxious parents that they are not alone and a better future can still be written. This dialog with a boy born into “The Age of Unreason� inspired Life As We Know It (Can Be) . With a storyteller’s flair, Bill digs into fascinating corners of history, psychology, technology, and his own biography to connect the lessons he’s collected from the happiest, healthiest, and most resilient societies.
Bill’s stories take readers on journeys from the Greek Island where people live to 100 at an astonishing rate to the one community in Florida that took on a hurricane and never lost power, from the Antarctic Peninsula where one species of penguin is showing us the key to survival to the nuclear fusion labs where scientists are trying to build a star in box. In these pages, we join a search for ancient wisdom and new ideas.
Life As We Know It (Can Be) is a celebration of the wonders of our planet, a meditation on the human wants and needs that drive it out of balance, and an inspiration for communities to galvanize around nature and each other as the very best way to brace for what’s next.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 16, 2024
54 people are currently reading
2,636 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 11, 2024
I read for book club and it is one of the best books I have read in 2024.
Weir starts his book with a prologue that is a letter to the future. He writes the book primarily to his son, River, and includes a specific chapter for his daughter, Olivia. The book is a history lesson about the world and climate change with a key message to love the world as it is and try to improve it.
Weir's writing style is fabulous! He combines wit, sarcasm, educational information, and humor with phenomenal storytelling skills. Some of the most memorable passages include:
* Human stories will be the difference between destruction and salvation
* Change for the better depends on the brave to start conversations with conviction
* We will whipsaw between progress and setbacks
* Your upbringing doesn't determine your fate
* Self-actualization can only happen when a person enjoys the freedom to chase their true calling
* Climate change is a timed test
* Be driven by hope and rage
* When it comes to heating and cooling, Americans are riding horses in a Tesla world
* Tropical storms have their own rhythm of wreckage and recovery
* Wrong place/wrong time cocktail with a chaser of stupidity
* Water is a wonderful servant but a horrible master
* Sudden disaster brings people together. Slow-motion disaster tears people apart.
* The will to act is a renewable resource
* Denial is the path of least resistance
* Our kids and wildlife are on anti-depressants
* Adventure is the marrow of life's bone
* Eat with your eyes wide open
* News reporting: if it bleeds, it leads
* Fracking: methane came roaring out like farts after an Earth enema
* Building in harmony with nature means conflict with human nature
* Fight suspicion and bullshit with sunshine and transparency
* Hope as a compass. Faith as a map.
Highly, highly recommend!
Weir starts his book with a prologue that is a letter to the future. He writes the book primarily to his son, River, and includes a specific chapter for his daughter, Olivia. The book is a history lesson about the world and climate change with a key message to love the world as it is and try to improve it.
Weir's writing style is fabulous! He combines wit, sarcasm, educational information, and humor with phenomenal storytelling skills. Some of the most memorable passages include:
* Human stories will be the difference between destruction and salvation
* Change for the better depends on the brave to start conversations with conviction
* We will whipsaw between progress and setbacks
* Your upbringing doesn't determine your fate
* Self-actualization can only happen when a person enjoys the freedom to chase their true calling
* Climate change is a timed test
* Be driven by hope and rage
* When it comes to heating and cooling, Americans are riding horses in a Tesla world
* Tropical storms have their own rhythm of wreckage and recovery
* Wrong place/wrong time cocktail with a chaser of stupidity
* Water is a wonderful servant but a horrible master
* Sudden disaster brings people together. Slow-motion disaster tears people apart.
* The will to act is a renewable resource
* Denial is the path of least resistance
* Our kids and wildlife are on anti-depressants
* Adventure is the marrow of life's bone
* Eat with your eyes wide open
* News reporting: if it bleeds, it leads
* Fracking: methane came roaring out like farts after an Earth enema
* Building in harmony with nature means conflict with human nature
* Fight suspicion and bullshit with sunshine and transparency
* Hope as a compass. Faith as a map.
Highly, highly recommend!
February 3, 2024
In Life As We Know It (Can Be), Bill Weir has written a book touching on events that is currently happening around the world. He is an award-winning journalist and he is an CNN chief climate correspondent. This book is made to be one who is written to his first son who was born in 2020. He has high hopes that his son, River will read it in around the year 2050. It is in the style of an Earth Day letter. The book is divided into a few parts such as physiologically, safety needs, love and esteem needs, and self-actualization. In the book he explored Hurricane Katrina, the changes in energy throughout the years, temperature changes, and the hope we can have for the future.
One of my favorite chapters he discussed was about Hurricane Katrina and his experience in reporting this event. At the time, he worked for ABC news and they were the only network without any coverage on the ground. He explained how they had to get a rental that cost them around $10,000 dollars for the trip to the French Quarter. He explained what he encountered on his different reporting on storm damage. He learned that water is either too much or never enough. He shared how it can throw people into the hierarchy pyramid on needs all at once when they experience a horrible event happen.
I would recommend this inspiring book to anyone who enjoys reading about weather, climate change, and the history of past events. I liked how he wrote it in the style of an Earth Day letter to be read in the future by his son and our children. It mixed history and explained what current events we are facing. I liked how he touched on what could happen in the future and the hope we can have.
One of my favorite chapters he discussed was about Hurricane Katrina and his experience in reporting this event. At the time, he worked for ABC news and they were the only network without any coverage on the ground. He explained how they had to get a rental that cost them around $10,000 dollars for the trip to the French Quarter. He explained what he encountered on his different reporting on storm damage. He learned that water is either too much or never enough. He shared how it can throw people into the hierarchy pyramid on needs all at once when they experience a horrible event happen.
I would recommend this inspiring book to anyone who enjoys reading about weather, climate change, and the history of past events. I liked how he wrote it in the style of an Earth Day letter to be read in the future by his son and our children. It mixed history and explained what current events we are facing. I liked how he touched on what could happen in the future and the hope we can have.
May 9, 2024
Overall Grade: B+
Writing: B
Audio: B
Historical Information: A-
Best Aspect: Great as a history/lesson audio very interesting (not much memoir even though it was listed as on Netgalley).
Worst Aspect: The parts in the audio when the author spoke directly to his four-year-old was very disruptive and weird.
Recommend: Yes. Available now.
May 24, 2024
I think it is really important that we expand our bubble and learn from others' experiences and perspectives. Otherwise, we get topic tunnel vision and progress or change stagnates. Climate change and personal health are great hot button issues, worthy of a deep dive.
Life as We Know It (Can Be) gives us the opportunity to hear from Bill Weir's experiences as a journalist, sharing his first-hand accounts, his research, his consolidated perspectives, and his wishes for current and future generations. It's a story about climate change, as well as people and cultures throughout the world. I found the accumulated facts about the changes in our climate patterns staggering, but was encouraged by the new advances from creative problem solvers all over the globe. I was alarmed by the impacts of food, lifestyle, social media and more on our health; however, learning from the Blue Zones and having the knowledge to make change leaves me optimistic. That's important to emphasize that I said optimistic. This book has an overall tone of hope, positivity and encouragement even in the midst of alarming information.
Another final thought...Weir has left me with some great little phrases that I will no doubt be incorporating into my conversational lingo. FOMO - Now rephrased in my brain as the "Fear of Missing the Outdoors" versus the "Fear of Missing Out". This is an acronym that I will definitely pass along to all of the schools that I know who are embracing the joys of Forest School. "Wander list"...This is so much more positive than the concept of a bucket list. I'll be putting together my wander list as soon as possible! Last but not least, the use of the phrase "keyboard courage". I can't think of two better words to describe all of the bold sharing of thoughts, opinions and hateful comments that are showing up on various social media platforms. Keyboard courage is the one instance in which courage isn't a compliment, but has definitely expanded in the growth of social media.
Overall this book was informative, but it was also a look into the heartfelt thoughts of Bill Weir and his wishes for his children's futures. Thank you RB Media and NetGalley for the gift of reading this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.
Life as We Know It (Can Be) gives us the opportunity to hear from Bill Weir's experiences as a journalist, sharing his first-hand accounts, his research, his consolidated perspectives, and his wishes for current and future generations. It's a story about climate change, as well as people and cultures throughout the world. I found the accumulated facts about the changes in our climate patterns staggering, but was encouraged by the new advances from creative problem solvers all over the globe. I was alarmed by the impacts of food, lifestyle, social media and more on our health; however, learning from the Blue Zones and having the knowledge to make change leaves me optimistic. That's important to emphasize that I said optimistic. This book has an overall tone of hope, positivity and encouragement even in the midst of alarming information.
Another final thought...Weir has left me with some great little phrases that I will no doubt be incorporating into my conversational lingo. FOMO - Now rephrased in my brain as the "Fear of Missing the Outdoors" versus the "Fear of Missing Out". This is an acronym that I will definitely pass along to all of the schools that I know who are embracing the joys of Forest School. "Wander list"...This is so much more positive than the concept of a bucket list. I'll be putting together my wander list as soon as possible! Last but not least, the use of the phrase "keyboard courage". I can't think of two better words to describe all of the bold sharing of thoughts, opinions and hateful comments that are showing up on various social media platforms. Keyboard courage is the one instance in which courage isn't a compliment, but has definitely expanded in the growth of social media.
Overall this book was informative, but it was also a look into the heartfelt thoughts of Bill Weir and his wishes for his children's futures. Thank you RB Media and NetGalley for the gift of reading this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.
April 10, 2024
This is an interesting and informative book. Gives you a look at humanity and our earth. Makes one think about how life was when most people were homesteading. Maybe we should go back to that.
April 3, 2025
A little bit disjointed but a fun and optimistic listen. Always good to take a step back and get some perspective.
November 9, 2024
I had high hopes for this book, especially as someone who recently loved The Heat Will Kill You First, another climate-focused book by a journalist. Unfortunately, this one fell far short of expectations.
First, the tone and structure felt awkward. The author writes as if speaking to his son, but the subject matter is far too complex and dense for such an approach to feel natural. It comes off as forced and oddly personal in a way that detracts from the bigger issues being discussed.
Second, the writing is overly wordy, taking far too long to get to the point. I often found myself frustrated, wading through long-winded passages that seemed more focused on showcasing the author’s thoughts about himself than providing clear, engaging insights into this important topic.
Finally, while I was eager to learn from the book, finishing it became a struggle. It lacks the urgency, clarity, and focus that made The Heat Will Kill You First so compelling. I was hoping for a similarly engaging, well-paced exploration of the topic but instead found this book to be a meandering, self-indulgent read.
In the end, while the subject matter is important, the execution left much to be desired. If you're looking for a thoughtful and impactful climate read, I’d recommend The Heat Will Kill You First or Drawdown over this one.
First, the tone and structure felt awkward. The author writes as if speaking to his son, but the subject matter is far too complex and dense for such an approach to feel natural. It comes off as forced and oddly personal in a way that detracts from the bigger issues being discussed.
Second, the writing is overly wordy, taking far too long to get to the point. I often found myself frustrated, wading through long-winded passages that seemed more focused on showcasing the author’s thoughts about himself than providing clear, engaging insights into this important topic.
Finally, while I was eager to learn from the book, finishing it became a struggle. It lacks the urgency, clarity, and focus that made The Heat Will Kill You First so compelling. I was hoping for a similarly engaging, well-paced exploration of the topic but instead found this book to be a meandering, self-indulgent read.
In the end, while the subject matter is important, the execution left much to be desired. If you're looking for a thoughtful and impactful climate read, I’d recommend The Heat Will Kill You First or Drawdown over this one.
May 23, 2024
THE HOUSE OF WEIR DELIVERS�
Bill Weir, aka The Climate Bloke, has crafted “Life as We Know It…� to provide readers with a 35,000-foot snapshot of humanity as it intersects with this moment in time in an effort to
encourage us to understand our world a little better before we lose it.
My Non-Harvard Center for Environmental Studies background in climate could be summed up as follows; I love snow. As a kid, growing up in Virginia, it snowed a lot. Decades later, winters are mild and it rarely snows. My poor snow stick truly suffers in the backyard, waiting and waiting!
One of the most engaging aspects of the book is how Mr. Weir weaves together bits of insight, scientific data, and historical context within glimpses of personal revelation, memoir storytelling, and ‘adventure dropping� aspects of his globe trotting career in journalism. The origin stories were dope. Abe. Joseph. Eunice. Montana.
I thought it might be ‘just� a climate book (whatever that means), a deep dive into aspects of concepts that may be over my head. It’s not! And that’s a good thing. Because it opens the door to expose folks like myself who are astutely ‘climate aware,� but often consumed with life and our own pyramid building to understand how all the dots connect. Canadian Camels. Airplane Size Asthma Inhalers. Cows. 42nd Parallel. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, an inspiration.
I wonder.
I wonder what percentage of the world is able to chase purpose,
that North Star of Self- Actualization.
Bill Weir, aka The Climate Bloke, has crafted “Life as We Know It…� to provide readers with a 35,000-foot snapshot of humanity as it intersects with this moment in time in an effort to
encourage us to understand our world a little better before we lose it.
My Non-Harvard Center for Environmental Studies background in climate could be summed up as follows; I love snow. As a kid, growing up in Virginia, it snowed a lot. Decades later, winters are mild and it rarely snows. My poor snow stick truly suffers in the backyard, waiting and waiting!
One of the most engaging aspects of the book is how Mr. Weir weaves together bits of insight, scientific data, and historical context within glimpses of personal revelation, memoir storytelling, and ‘adventure dropping� aspects of his globe trotting career in journalism. The origin stories were dope. Abe. Joseph. Eunice. Montana.
I thought it might be ‘just� a climate book (whatever that means), a deep dive into aspects of concepts that may be over my head. It’s not! And that’s a good thing. Because it opens the door to expose folks like myself who are astutely ‘climate aware,� but often consumed with life and our own pyramid building to understand how all the dots connect. Canadian Camels. Airplane Size Asthma Inhalers. Cows. 42nd Parallel. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, an inspiration.
I wonder.
I wonder what percentage of the world is able to chase purpose,
that North Star of Self- Actualization.
April 3, 2025
It’s been a couple of years since I last read a truly intensive book on climate change and the long-term projections for our planet and human life on it. Generally, I consider myself a climate optimist—I believe we already have the technology to make a sharp, necessary pivot in the right direction. At the same time, I recognize that our current economic system is often intrinsically motivated to resist green energy and renewable practices.
Life as We Know It (Can Be) struck me as both optimistic and nearly poetic in its structure and tone. I hadn’t heard of the author before—my wife actually picked up the book and started reading it first—but I was taken aback in the best way. The author manages to represent the reality of our current situation and the path we’re on with striking accuracy, all while using one of my favorite formats: deep, intimate, narrative exposition.
Rather than just presenting data or policy arguments, the book tells stories—real stories about people with lives, aspirations, and defining character traits. It was a real treat to follow the author’s exploration of the hierarchy of needs and how those needs are either met, strained, or unmet across different situations. It invites us not just to understand, but to strive for better.
Overall, I was deeply impressed. Life as We Know It (Can Be) offers good storytelling, grounded in deep research and delivered with nearly poetic prose.
Life as We Know It (Can Be) struck me as both optimistic and nearly poetic in its structure and tone. I hadn’t heard of the author before—my wife actually picked up the book and started reading it first—but I was taken aback in the best way. The author manages to represent the reality of our current situation and the path we’re on with striking accuracy, all while using one of my favorite formats: deep, intimate, narrative exposition.
Rather than just presenting data or policy arguments, the book tells stories—real stories about people with lives, aspirations, and defining character traits. It was a real treat to follow the author’s exploration of the hierarchy of needs and how those needs are either met, strained, or unmet across different situations. It invites us not just to understand, but to strive for better.
Overall, I was deeply impressed. Life as We Know It (Can Be) offers good storytelling, grounded in deep research and delivered with nearly poetic prose.
April 9, 2024
OK. So I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one, and once I began it, I did NOT think I was going to like it at all. I mean, this is somewhat out of my comfort zone...
BUT, Bill Weir does a great job at bringing out so many things that I've never even thought about, and yet it seems as if he's dedicated his LIFE to some of this stuff...
And, it's written in a way that he's dedicated it to his toddler son, to be read on his 30th birthday. That in itself intrigued me...
He also dedicates some of the book to his daughter.
Again, not sure what I was expecting, but overall it was enlightening, and a good read!
#LifeAsWeKnowIt(CanBe) by #BillWeir (and narrated beautifully, by the author)
Thanks to #NetGalley and #RecordedBooksMedia for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released on 4/16/24...so about 10 days from now.
3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 4!
Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: ŷ,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you 'liked' my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️
BUT, Bill Weir does a great job at bringing out so many things that I've never even thought about, and yet it seems as if he's dedicated his LIFE to some of this stuff...
And, it's written in a way that he's dedicated it to his toddler son, to be read on his 30th birthday. That in itself intrigued me...
He also dedicates some of the book to his daughter.
Again, not sure what I was expecting, but overall it was enlightening, and a good read!
#LifeAsWeKnowIt(CanBe) by #BillWeir (and narrated beautifully, by the author)
Thanks to #NetGalley and #RecordedBooksMedia for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released on 4/16/24...so about 10 days from now.
3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 4!
Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: ŷ,
IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you 'liked' my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️
June 19, 2024
I loved this book. Bill Weir is a very talented writer and I appreciated the way he wrote this book. Part love letters to his children, but filled with adventure and stories about the intricacies of human existence and our relationship with the world around us. I loved all the philosophical reflections he made and he wove his own personal anecdotes along with scientific insights. It made a complex topic (climate change), simple to understand and yet kept me hooked on continuing to read. It's clear he's passionate about our planet; his series "The Wonder List", I miss a great deal and wish the producers would create more of those and bring that series back. There are so many places that all of us on this planet need to know about...how people in other countries and other cultures are handling climate change. Working together, we can solve this problem or at the very least, help to slow it down. We can ALL make positive changes in our own lives and help our communities to make positive changes in order to protect our planet. Highly recommended this book for anyone seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit.
May 8, 2024
Part memoir, part climate change for the masses, part adventure tale, at times it feels like Weir doesn't exactly remember what kind of book he's writing, but as a whole it works. Instead of the doom-and-gloom climate change fare we're more accustomed to, Weir takes a lens to the success stories that are already out there. As the title promises, this is life as we know it (and what it can be if we want it do be). The framework is a letter to his son born in the middle of the pandemic, which gives a reason for the sense of urgency, and gives Weir someone to talk to. However, it's a bit jarring when we're knee-deep in an analysis of zero-emissions building codes and there's an aside directed toward a son we forgot about. Perhaps that was just a function of my listening to the audiobook in sporadic chunks. Especially effective was the contrast of psychological principles (Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Kübler-Ross stages of grief) to the human responses to climate change. There's good storytelling here.
I received an ARC from NetGalley
I received an ARC from NetGalley
June 9, 2024
Bill Weir is clearly a gifted storyteller and a rabid adventurer. In his first book, the CNN/ABC journalist trades a mic and camera for the pen to tackle his greatest adventure and most crucial story: the existential threat of climate change. I was hesitant to read another pedantic, depressing book on the subject. But this one is, pardon the cliche�: a much needed breath of fresh air. While no doubt sobering, Weir’s approach to slaying the Godzilla that could end life as we know it, adds a positive, humorous, and fun spin offering hope to his newly born son (born during Covid) in the form of a letter, and to all of humanity who reads his first book that there’s exciting, innovative, hope on the horizon. “Life As We Know It (Can Be)� is a poetic, smart ass, and scholarly reality check - backed by solid research and in-the-field reporting. Weir’s personal lens of transformation from sports and adrenaline junkie to father and futurist, with true vulnerability makes this a must-read book or listen on Audible.
April 20, 2024
I am just one old lady in Waldport, OR (of many, I am sure) who follows and loves Bill Weir's CNN adventures and efforts to educate and inform the world. I received my copy of Bill's book, "Life as We Know It (Can Be), in the mail around mid-day on April 17th...opened it and could not put it down...had read every word, cover to cover, by mid-night!
What a great read! What a lovely gift to his kids as well as the rest of us! Bill has a delightful way of telling his stories...so much insight, so much wit and humor, and so much heart.
A big thank you from a fan of your causes and your efforts...Joyce W.
What a great read! What a lovely gift to his kids as well as the rest of us! Bill has a delightful way of telling his stories...so much insight, so much wit and humor, and so much heart.
A big thank you from a fan of your causes and your efforts...Joyce W.
May 20, 2024
I enjoyed this book a lot as I have ill’s television programs. I will say that readers who are not as aligned politically with climate science may find it a little “preachy�, that’s not me and I found much of what he said balanced and enlightening coming from a reporter who has been on scene for major weather events (hurricanes in particular). It is written to his son and I found that a very interesting, human, and oft missed perspective related to climate change. I’ve wondered when the generations younger than I are going to begin to meaningfully shift US climate policy. This is also a fast read and fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2024
An engaging look at changes in climate, the impacts on people, and the things smart people are doing to figure it out, written to his young son River. I have backpacked in slot canyons with Bill Weir, and know that his concern for the planet is not an abstract thing. He doesn't see the environment as an abstract thing that should be preserved and protected so we can have great screen savers on our huge monitors. To him, the environment is for humans, it is the place we should spend more time (in a thoughtful and caring way of course), for our own sanity. That is the hope for all of us.
April 21, 2024
If you’ve seen Bill’s reporting on CNN as the first network Chief Climate Correspondent or The Wonder List you know his story telling skills are beyond compare. His life experience is woven into this book creating a narrative that both inspires hope and makes the theoretical very easy to read and engaging at the same time. Bill Weir’s experience creating content for television is translated onto the page and makes for a highly entertaining book. Great gift for all ages! Both fiction and non-fiction lovers.
January 15, 2025
Hmm. I love a good dose of climate optimism and peace reporting amidst so much apathy and defeat, but I think I'm a little less inclined to technological optimism than this author. I tend to be more inspired about calls to lessen our footprint than to science our way to infinity. From a theoretical rather than ideological perspective though, there was a lot of good news. I admit that I felt a bit of envy-judgement about the irony of the author's extremely lavish travel itinerary in the face of the climate desperation he paints.
May 7, 2024
In this "one day" reader is difficult to find what the author is doing. And maybe I missed the theme of at least one theme in the book.
Yes, there are stories and events. The short stories could be real people. But we don't get much dettail about the people who are in each story. There's not much info in the first chapter and the last chapter.
But there must be something in the book.
Yes, there are stories and events. The short stories could be real people. But we don't get much dettail about the people who are in each story. There's not much info in the first chapter and the last chapter.
But there must be something in the book.
July 17, 2024
The timely book, Life as We Know It (Can Be), is the perfect balance of wisdom, culture, history, humility, confidence, concern, emotion, and above all, hope for the future. I particularly loved the many stories of people the author met during his travels; I learned so much. There are parts which some might consider "dry" (I did not) - keep reading. I enjoyed the audio, narrated by the author. I highly recommend this book!
April 23, 2024
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. So I want to thank first to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this.
Life as we know it (can be) it's an interesting story the author tells his daughter and to the people reading this book mostly about climate change and the impacts on our lives.
Life as we know it (can be) it's an interesting story the author tells his daughter and to the people reading this book mostly about climate change and the impacts on our lives.
September 7, 2024
The author discusses many of the things that cause us anxiety in modern society—global warming, energy issues, etc., and counters them with stories of ways humans are solving related problems. In the end, he believes, human creativity will save us. I liked this and would give it a 3.5. I think it might be better read and contemplated rather than listened to (which is what I did).
January 21, 2025
There were moments of this book I really enjoyed. Unfortunately, there were also a lot of meandering thoughts that seemed disconnected from the overall idea and made it hard to follow. Part biography, part letter to his kids, part climate change manifesto - it felt a bit like he left a lot of ideas not fully complete and a lot for the reader to develop their own conclusions.
February 19, 2025
It was a softer read than I'd typically choose for a climate change book. Only read it because it was a gift.
I found it very much to be what it advertises itself one front inside cover: "a meditation" on "history, psychology, technology, and Bill's own biography to connect lessons" about climate change and the "best way to brace for what's next."
I found it very much to be what it advertises itself one front inside cover: "a meditation" on "history, psychology, technology, and Bill's own biography to connect lessons" about climate change and the "best way to brace for what's next."
April 19, 2024
Compelling read!! Bill is a masterful storyteller. This book reads like a series of short stories, weaving together climate challenges, solutions and anecdotes from Bill's life. Community and connection seem to be a powerful theme, providing a glimpse of how we can navigate the coming years, decades together. We can't do this without keeping the flame of hope alive.
May 6, 2024
I met Bill Weir back when he was at ABC-News with Bob and have always admired his reporting.He has turned his lens on the planet for a number of years and this book is a read for all - offering some real world solutions and perspective with beautiful storytelling
July 20, 2024
The content of the book itself was good, if not overly surprising or unique information. But where I found more value was a meta-reading of the techniques Weir uses to engage the reader and weave together different narrative strands.
March 21, 2024
CNN's Bill Weir pens a hopeful book to his son about the future. Explores climate change through historical events like Hurricane Katrina and the potential solutions that lie ahead.
June 18, 2024
I wish I had been less distracted while trying to absorb the content of this book. This was an interesting mix of memoir, history and messages about climate and lifestyle.
August 8, 2024
I love Bill Weir's style. Really enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.