NY, Scribner, (1996). Winner of the John Burroughs Medal. Signed by the author. Quammen applies the insights gained by the study of isolated island biogeographies to the question of the survivability of species in the face of environmental encroachment by humans on mainland populations -- making the leap, obvious in retrospect but original here, that the continued development of human societies is, in effect, turning wilderness habitats into "islands," with the attendant limitations and problems that island species have traditionally faced. Quammen has been called, by one publication, "America's finest nature writer," and the glowing blurbs on this volume -- from such writers as Barry Lopez, Annie Proulx, Edward O. Wilson, Jim Harrison, Terry Tempest Williams, and others -- include the comment that this is "natural science at its most seductive" and "a monumental work of monumental importance." Slight sagging to the 700+ page text block; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#035605] SOLD