Climate scientists, geologists, ecologists, and archaeologists recognize the profound effects of human activity on Earth, though whether and how this should be recognized as a formal geological epoch - the Anthropocene - remains under debate, Erle Ellis describes how the Anthropocene concept is affecting the sciences, humanities, and politics. Ellis's slim book does an excellent job of cutting through the complexity [of the topic]. He has produced an impressive overview of the Anthropocene concept as both a scientific and cultural discussion ... Overall the book is fair, comprehensive, and clearly written.