This thought-provoking book touches all the apocalyptic bases for a home run.

Starts by covering the mass extinctions through the history of our planet, then touches on the question of whether we are in (or are causing) a mass extinction now. Three short chapters cover groups that were successful scattering, adapting, and remembering, and then moves to a discussion of how well these strategies would work against future potential disasters. Science fiction authors discussed include Arthur C. Clarke, Octavia Butler and Paul McAuley. Extensive notes and references and a decent index conclude this thought-provoking book.