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The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Visions to Shape Tomorrow's World Hardcover – Deckle Edge, January 23, 2018

by Charles C. Mann (Author)
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From the best-selling, award-winning author of 1491 and 1493--an incisive portrait of the two little-known twentieth-century scientists, Norman Borlaug and William Vogt, whose diametrically opposed views shaped our ideas about the environment, laying the groundwork for how people in the twenty-first century will choose to live in tomorrow's world.

In forty years, Earth's population will reach ten billion. Can our world support that? What kind of world will it be? Those answering these questions generally fall into two deeply divided groups--Wizards and Prophets, as Charles Mann calls them in this balanced, authoritative, nonpolemical new book. The Prophets, he explains, follow William Vogt, a founding environmentalist who believed that in using more than our planet has to give, our prosperity will lead us to ruin. Cut back! was his mantra. Otherwise everyone will lose! The Wizards are the heirs of Norman Borlaug, whose research, in effect, wrangled the world in service to our species to produce modern high-yield crops that then saved millions from starvation. Innovate! was Borlaug's cry. Only in that way can everyone win! Mann delves into these diverging viewpoints to assess the four great challenges humanity faces--food, water, energy, climate change--grounding each in historical context and weighing the options for the future. With our civilization on the line, the author's insightful analysis is an essential addition to the urgent conversation about how our children will fare on an increasingly crowded Earth.
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  1. Print length
    640 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Knopf
  4. Publication date
    January 23, 2018
  5. Dimensions
    6.75 x 1.75 x 9.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0307961699
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0307961693
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Scrupulous, stimulating, and elegant . . . A beautifully crafted book. Anyone wanting a readable, relentlessly intelligent narrative showing where our environmental ideas and anxieties in the present-day Anglophone world come from will find it here in abundance.” —Robert J. Mayhew, Times Literary Supplement

“Brilliant . . . The author’s science journalism shines.” —William Easterly, The Wall Street Journal

“An elegantly written, devoted testimonial to the art of the possible.” —Jonathan Hahn, Sierra
 
“Mann’s storytelling skills are unmatched. . . . The great virtue of Mann’s book—and much of his journalism over many years—is that it raises very large questions . . . that are usually either ignored or answered in slogans. He provides detail enough, and simplicity enough, that anyone who is struggling with these puzzles will be enlightened and informed. And entertained, which, given the subject matter, is no small feat.” —Bill McKibben, The New York Times Book Review

“Fascinating . . . An inquisitive and gifted science writer.” —Tyler Priest, Science

“The most persuasive writers on the environment punctuate their big-picture theses with telling details that bring the relevant issues to life. Like Elizabeth Kolbert and Tim Flannery, Charles C. Mann is one of the masters of this art . . . a stimulating, thoughtful, balanced overview of matters vital to us all.” —Dan Cryer, The Boston Globe

“Mann is a compelling and forensic analyst of big tipping points in human affairs.” —Fred Pearce, The Washington Post

"Charles C. Mann specializes in deep, comprehensive looks at the past that better elucidate the present." —Mary Ellen Hannibal, San Francisco Chronicle

“Best-selling author and journalist Mann tackles the thorny problem of humankind’s future through the lens of two 20th-century visionaries. . . . A sweeping, provocative work of journalism, history, science and philosophy.” —Library Journal starred review

“Without taking sides, Mann delivers a fine examination of two possible paths to a livable future.” —Publisher’s Weekly starred review

“An insightful, highly significant account that makes no predictions but lays out the critical environmental problems already upon us.”—Kirkus starred review

"The contrast is stark—technological wizardry or romantic prophecy as a lens to view the future path for the planet and humanity. Charles Mann provides a deeply corrugated, richly nuanced, and highly entertaining narrative to make sense of the most consequential decisions facing civilization. Read, think, and enjoy." —Ruth deFries, author of The Big Ratchet: How Humanity Thrives in the Face of Natural Crisis

 “Brilliantly conceived and executed, Charles Mann’s The Wizard and the Prophet is the book I have long awaited—thoughtful, balanced and unbiased—to understand the  challenges that humanity will face as the twenty-first century progresses. Mann’s historical perspective provides the critically important context for us to understand how we got here and how we might solve the problems presented by a finite world of ten billion humans.” –Gary Taubes, author of The Case Against Sugar 

“The Wizard and the Prophet is a fascinating portrait of two men who probably shaped your thinking about the future, whether you realize it or not. Charles Mann proves, once again, a masterful storyteller." – Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction

“A rich, elegant, ferociously readable study of our global quandary. Among the many excellent things Charles C. Mann does in The Wizard and the Prophet is give us a fresh, and wholly unexpected, way of understanding today’s political divide.” —Russell Shorto, author of Revolution Song

“A fascinating story of two forgotten men whose ideas changed our understanding of humanity’s place in nature. The Wizard and the Prophet is an intellectual history of the clash between techno-optimists and environmentalists, but it’s also the very personal story of two thinkers, Norman Borlaug and William Vogt. Mann offers a sympathetic, nuanced way to understand one of the fundamental debates of our time: How will 10 billion humans live sustainably on Earth, when our demands for energy and food are growing? This book showcases an important new kind of futurism, which looks to the past to understand how we'll survive. Never preachy nor dogmatic, Mann asks his readers to do the most difficult thing possible: choose a path to a better world, by consulting your own conscience.” —Annalee Newitz, editor, Ars Technica

About the Author

CHARLES C. MANN, a correspondent for The Atlantic, Science, and Wired, has also written for Fortune, The New York Times, Smithsonian, Technology Review, Vanity Fair, The Washington Post, as well as the TV network HBO and the series Law & Order. A three-time National Magazine Award finalist, he is the recipient of writing awards from the American Bar Association, the American Institute of Physics, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Lannan Foundation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf; First Edition (January 23, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 640 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0307961699
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0307961693
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1.75 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Charles C. Mann

Charles C. Mann

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Charles C. Mann is the author of 1493, a New York Times best-seller, and 1491, which won the U.S. National Academy of Sciences' Keck award for the best book of the year. A correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly, Science, and Wired, he has covered the intersection of science, technology, and commerce for many newspapers and magazines here and abroad, including National Geographic, the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and the Washington Post. In addition to 1491 and 1493, he is the co-author of five other books, one of which is a young person's version of 1491 called Before Columbus. His website is www.charlesmann.org.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
818 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the writing style well-written, thoughtful, and even-handed. They also appreciate the excellent, thoughtful content and compelling narrative. Readers describe the storyline as remarkable and a tour de force of history.

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Writing styleScientific contentStoryStoryline
28 customers mention "Writing style"25 positive3 negative

Customers find the book well-written, worthwhile, and wonderful. They also say it provides both sides and helps them take better future decisions.

"Charles Mann's book is nothing short of a brilliant, comprehensive tour de force of the global social, cultural, economic, philosophical and..." Read more

"...Charles Mann uses the story of these two passionate, brilliant, and hard-working men to address our dilemma as a species and inhabiters of earth...." Read more

"...It was interesting, with a nice writing style, but it had several problems...." Read more

"This is an outstanding book...." Read more

19 customers mention "Scientific content"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the scientific content excellent, good, and inspiring. They also appreciate the detailed background and factual basis. Readers describe the book as challenging yet well organized reflection on the struggles of mankind to balance advancement with humanity. They enjoy the humanness of people, almost all men, who are yet heroes for what they do.

"...Mann's research is impeccable and references well documented in the story that he weaves as he temporally interweaves the growth of the movements..." Read more

"...This is a wonderfully written, even-handed, thoughtful, calm examination of our most important questions.Highly recommended!" Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed the humanness of people - almost all men - who are yet heroes for what they accomplished...." Read more

"...It is well researched and incredibly well written. I couldn’t put it down!..." Read more

9 customers mention "Story"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the story compelling, evenhandedly explores the paths through technological domination, and encouraging. They also mention the book uses the story of two passionate, brilliant, and hard-working individuals.

"...Charles Mann uses the story of these two passionate, brilliant, and hard-working men to address our dilemma as a species and inhabiters of earth...." Read more

"...It raised a lot of interesting topics but did not provide enough information on subjects that the reader does not know well...." Read more

"...In addition, the book is quite a page-turner." Read more

"...But the ideas and stories revealed in the narrative were extremely compelling, leading me to consider reevaluating my orientation...." Read more

7 customers mention "Storyline"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline remarkable and a tour de force of history.

"Charles Mann's book is nothing short of a brilliant, comprehensive tour de force of the global social, cultural, economic, philosophical and..." Read more

"...Fascinating history that leads to today and the future...." Read more

"Great historical introduction to two figures who helped shape modern environmental views...." Read more

"Interesting history from a different perspective." Read more

Balanced, detailed, informed, fascinating, encouraging
5 out of 5 stars
Balanced, detailed, informed, fascinating, encouraging
A book that opens with bat guano environmentalism and Mexican wheat breeding in the 1950s shouldn't be this enthralling. It lays out the philosophies of both techno-optimists and environmentalists, yet the author doesn't pick a side; instead he focuses on the origins and benefits of both approaches to solving present issues in food, water, energy, and climate.
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Top reviews from the United States

Wm. P.
5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable tour de force of history
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2019
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Charles Mann's book is nothing short of a brilliant, comprehensive tour de force of the global social, cultural, economic, philosophical and scientific history of the rise of the debates within the concepts of natural/human ecology and the green revolution as purveyed through the eyes of two of the most prominent characters responsible for the growth of the fields : Nobel prize winning plant geneticist Norman Borlaug (The Wizard) and ecologist William Vogt (The Prophet). Mann's research is impeccable and references well documented in the story that he weaves as he temporally interweaves the growth of the movements that have shaped our modern world and current debates through the remarkable wellspring of global interdisciplinary occurrences that shaped the 20th century. As examples, he cites the explosion of crop growth created by the recognition of nitrogen in bird poop as a potent nutrient for fertilizer and then again with the invention of the ability to artificially fix nitrogen to add to resource poor commercially produced fertilizer decades later. The remarkable tedium and resilience of Borlaug in his belief and development of seed hybridization to meet the agricultural needs of varying climates throughout the Americas. The implications for hybridization with the discovery of the C4 photosynthesis mechanism. The dark twists and turns of Vogt's preaching for the necessity of conservation of resources for the species survival in the wake of the rise of Darwinism and by extension social Darwinism, and Vogt's association with the movement. I picked up the book when it was first released in February and given the density of some of the concepts, took my time and finished reading in a month. Undoubtedly, I'll be revisiting it again ... and again as the debate continues to evolve in the 21st century. There is a sense of urgency with this topic but the fundamental question in addressing today's issues regarding climate, food, water and environment remains .... Can humankind shape it's environment and future or is it necessary that we adapt to the natural world we have been placed in ??
6 people found this helpful
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DaveF
5.0 out of 5 stars A book for our time - highly recommended!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2018
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For me, Charles Mann has another home run with 'The Wizard and the Profit', 5+ stars! Mann is also the author of (among other books) '1491' and '1493', extraordinary nonfiction/history works. He is on my short list of very fine historians/nonfiction authors.
In this book, Mann tells the story of the lives and works of two largely forgotten but extremely influential mid-twentieth century scientists. In 1948, William Vogt (the 'Phophet') wrote 'Road to Survival'. A hugely influential book, it foresaw the planet's and man's doom if we continued to populate (over-populate) the earth and ravage its resources unchecked. He espoused among other things population control and severe conservation. Norman Borlaug (the 'Wizard') won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 as the father of the "Green Revolution". Borlaug saw hunger and he tried to overcome it through plant breeding and science. Essentially, the two men perceived the same problem (the land's human carrying capacity was being exceeded) and attempted to solve it in opposite directions.
Charles Mann uses the story of these two passionate, brilliant, and hard-working men to address our dilemma as a species and inhabiters of earth. We will approach 10 billion strong in this century. Are we headed for catastrophe or are we capable of solving approaching major problems (hunger, climate change, resource depletion, etc.)? This is a wonderfully written, even-handed, thoughtful, calm examination of our most important questions.
Highly recommended!
61 people found this helpful
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Angie Boyter
4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read but a flawed book
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
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Our book group discussion was fairly unanimous on this book (which is rare!). It was interesting, with a nice writing style, but it had several problems. It raised a lot of interesting topics but did not provide enough information on subjects that the reader does not know well. The biograhical elements and the science were intertwined a bit too much, and there were a lot of tidbits, especially the biographical ones, that made people wonder, "Why is this in here?" Also, the title is a bit misleading. Vogt and Borlaug, the title characters, are the symbols of the two major points of view but are not really the focus of the book.
I do recommend the book but think it is best enjoyed a chapter or so at a time.
One person found this helpful
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Yehezkel Dror
5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD SCIENCE, GOOD STORY
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2019
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This is an outstanding book. It presents two outstanding scientists as two ‘ideal types’, in the sense of Max Weber, one a true believer in science and technology fixes (Norman Borlaug) and the second (William Vogt) exhorting humanity to be very careful not to disrupt nature.

Also presented, though not central to the text, is an important evolution researcher (Lynn Margulis), who was of the opinion that the human species is bound by evolution and sure to disappear, never mind what it does.

Still, the following questions arise:

One. Vogt is not a prophet, most of whom promised salvation after deserved suffering. Rather he is a Cassandra, who was cursed to know the future but not to be believed.

Two. The Wizard was careful. He did not engage in dangerous science, though he might have failed in his efforts to overcome the Malthusian loop. It is not clear at all whether he would support risky geoengineering.

Three. The book present very well two contrasting ideologies. Thus, it sharpens the question who shall decide on which one to base action. But it does not pose this critical question as needed.

These and other comments do not impair the quality of the book, which should be pondered by all who are concerned, or should be concerned, about the future of humanity, starting with political leaders.

Professor Yehezkel Dror
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
24 people found this helpful
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glitchc
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply stunning read!
Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2021
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If you've ever wondered where statements like "There is only so much we can extract from our planet," "We can only grow so much food, extract so much oil" on the one side and "Technology will fix things" and "We will always be able to find new resources and new uses for old resources" on the other come from, then read this book. Charles Mann lays out the foundation for these statements presents a very objective view of both sides and lets the reader decide on which side they fall based on the evidence presented. By laying bare the underlying assumptions behind those statements, he really forces the reader to question his/her own thinking on the subject. I found myself vacillating back and forth many times, alternating between being a Wizard and a Prophet, as I progressed through the book.

This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in critical thinking on the meaty topic of how best to harness the resources that are available to us. I will not share where I finally landed, or even if I'm going to stay here forever. Let the book guide you through your own personal journey through the stories and evidence presented, so that you may find your own equilibrium.
One person found this helpful
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Bakor Tayar
5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced inquiry on two fundamental approaches to the future
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2022
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This book changed my perception. I was a conservative and idealized an older technique for agrarian living, but the book highlighted the difficulty of that model. I saw how technology has profoundly helped us feed the world and different approaches to global warming. I was moved multiple times and wowed consistently. This book educated and humbled me. It is indeed a necessary read for anyone in the modern world that cares about the future of our biological and environmental future.
2 people found this helpful
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SebHeine
5.0 out of 5 stars Sollte man gelesen haben
Reviewed in Germany on September 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
Das Buch ist gut, aber ich habe es bei Amazon als eBook gekauft und darf mich nun mit den damit verbundenen Einschränkungen herumärgern. Tja, selber schuld, nicht wahr?
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Jeff
5.0 out of 5 stars Analisis sin tomar partido
Reviewed in Spain on May 23, 2022
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Muy interesante. Tanto lo con que no coincido come el con que estoy de acuerdo
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Everardo
5.0 out of 5 stars The Wizard and the Prophet
Reviewed in Mexico on February 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
It is a compilation of ideas on how the human race has evolved through the use of technology with agriculture as the main actor. The last part of the book is focused on climate change.
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