Do you want to know which animal species affects the environment almost as much as humans do? Or why we haven't had contact with aliens yet? You Only Go Extinct Once by Bob Lorentson gives us answers to these and many other burning questions in fifty humorous essays, twenty-five of which speak about animals and plants, while the other twenty-five concern humans. The essays reveal shocking facts about our relation to Neanderthals and bananas, advise us on how to prepare for the end of the world, disclose the secrets of fireflies and trees, and warn against the resurrection of the species that lived in the Pleistocene era. You Only Go Extinct Once is a thought-provoking read for fans of non-fiction humor.

In You Only Go Extinct Once, Bob Lorentson urges us to be more caring toward the environment and our planet in a friendly and interactive manner. The book takes awareness to the next level thanks to Bob's unique writing style and his sparkling humor. In short and straightforward essays, the author explores what it means to be human in this constantly changing, uncontrollable, and dangerous world. "Once we started creating civilizations, we began domesticating ourselves, and you know as well as I do what happens to domesticated animals," writes Bob in It's a Small Brain After All. Bob's keen observations make us think about the enormous responsibility we carry on our shoulders. I liked the touching tribute to Will Cuppy, a humorist who lived in the first half of the twentieth century and inspired not only the author of this book but also the creator of a beloved fairy-tale character. You Only Go Extinct Once is an educational book that I will read and re-read again.

In You Only Go Extinct Once, Bob Lorentson discusses fifty topics about science, animals, insects, and culture. Adding whimsical elements, the author presents scientific data in a unique way, often implying a call to action without outright expressing it. The author details interesting facts, winding subjects such as cow-hugging and ferret-legging into otherwise serious debates. The retired environmental scientist chooses various subjects to help readers better understand their ecological impact and the need for better choices to balance the human footprint on the planet.

Bob Lorentson supplies factual information about animals and the amusing potential outcomes that may arise if humans do not rely on science to guide their future endeavors. Lorentson lays out his thoughts on a variety of subjects, like ocean pollution and bringing back an extinct species, in a comical context but with scientific truths that will resonate with the reader. The author's intelligence and common sense shine through in the essays as he delivers warnings about the direction in which we're going but with a humorous component. Lorentson's candid opinion on certain animals and insects is refreshing and liable to leave you with more knowledge and a funny take on the topics, like learning about companies that use castoreum (near a beaver's anus) for vanilla flavoring and the evidence of an ancient nine-foot-tall kangaroo with fangs, mentioned in this book. If you enjoy fascinating tidbits of information on biology, ecology, and sociology delivered entertainingly and emphasized with ironic wit, You Only Go Extinct Once is the perfect selection for you!