Anthill

E. O. Wilson’s only novel is as readable as his brilliant nonfiction. Set primarily in the southern Alabama of Wilson’s own teenage years, this story engages the reader and provides a glimpse into Wilson’s early insights.

This was a chosen as a read for my neighborhood book club and I had no idea what to expect. It’s a beautifully written story, enjoyed it very much. The end left something to be desired — just a slow crumple to the ground.

I have read several of E.O. Wilson's books, starting with The Diversity of Life. I used his biogeographical theory as part basis for a thesis and, as an evolutionary sociologist, I lapped up his Consilience. Most recently I read a short kindle version on ants by Wilson and someone else.For me, Anthill was a lovely, lovely book. I read it overnight and it is now installed amongst my top ten ever.I was curious to see what sort of novel E.O. Wilson would produce. I feared that it might be stilted and contrived, since he his primarily a scientist of very seasoned vintage. He writes his scientific books so well, however, that I should not have expected anything stilted. Would he be able to create a successful and original plot? The answer is yes.Why did I choose to read a novel by E.O. Wilson? I was looking for answers that the book seemed to promise, about the problems of wilderness and biodiversity disappearing under the jackboot of 'progress' i.e. property development in the service of overpopulation. I didn't really think that Wilson would provide anything new, so I was gratified when he did. He kind of fleshed out ideas that had been hovering in my mind about how to deal with property developers. His chief character felt as I do. His creation provided a form of solidarity to me. It more than entertained me; it inspired me.I am not very inclined to compare authors but Wilson's way of drawing the reader in actually reminded me of Anne Tyler and his style in creating atmosphere reminded me of Trueman Capote's Grass Harp. However, the substance of the novel was oh so much more than Tyler's or Capote's (of course). As other reviewers have noted, Wilson manages to make the reader think like an ant, which is quite an experience. We see the land described in the book from the points of view of a naturalist and then that of ants. I felt as if I was there and walking with the main character. The things that Wilson picks from the environment are very like those that I notice in my own, so his book was able to engage me well beyond my mind. It took me into itself and kept me there until the last page. Because of this skilled capacity to spellbind me, I experienced the drama and conflict as gripping.Like another reviewer here, I am an Australian. In Australia we don't have the overt religious right wing elements that crop up in Anthill, however, sooner or later we get every bad thing from the US and Britain in terms of corporate treatment of the natural environment. Australia is already in a very bad way with massive population growth forced on us by a growth lobby led by property developers who have amazing influence over our governments, state and federal. Religious influence has been growing here, where once we were a pretty secular, scientific society, and, in truth, I have spoken to Australian politicians who truly think that the world is there for humans alone and who envisage maybe allowing as little as 5% to survive pan-industrialisation. So, I guess that the religious difference between Australia and the US isn't really such a difference anymore, unfortunately.As well as painting a character with a deep love of a natural place, who values other species as co-travellers in this life, Wilson also canvases some of the political differences and conflicts that come up among environmentalist groups. He is as skilled in his depiction of human groups as he is in his depiction of ant groups. He is also skilled in his depiction of personal motive and conflict. I feel that he is truly motivated to help other environmentalists in all his books, including this one and I am very grateful to him for continuing to write for us.I look forward to his upcoming book of letters to a young scientist.

Part one, the story of Raff was well written and interesting.(four stars). Part two, 'The Anthill Chronicles' was as entertaining as anything I have ever read on insects, and the 'superorganism' concept was well explained to even a reader without a biological background. (five stars). Part three, I found disappointing. (two stars). It would have been better to stick to the ecological dilemma, and not get involved with a subplot of crazy whitetrash psycho religious fanatical murderers. That part of the story lacked plot development and took away from what could have been a much better developed ending. It was as if Wilson ran out of steam, got tired, and lost his way. The distracting LeBow subplot took attention away from a much more important message that deserved more focus, which weakened the ending for me. I would have liked the storyline to have taken a turn from ants, to humans, to a stronger biosphere perspective. While the compromise between development and a green community is realistic, if we were talking environmental law, what happened to the ESA?I am a huge fan of E.O. Wilson. I loved 'The Diversity of Life', and everything he has ever written on the topic of sociobiology, including 'On Human Nature'. I will not be surprised if 'Anthill' sells copies just on the power of the ants' storyline, which was as creative as it was factual.

One is never quite certain how to categorize E. O. Wilson's book, "Anthill": a novel? narrative or creative non-fiction? But, no matter what you call it, "Anthill" is a spendid and engaging work. It is the biography of a naturalist in his boyhood explorations of a virgin forest area of northeast Alabama adjoining northwest Florida.This story is that of Raff Cody, who falls in love with the land and its wildlife,especially ants, of the Nokobee Forest. The human side of the plot follows the young scientist's life through his eduction in science and finally law school with an emphasis on environmental law. In addition, author Wilson portrays the southern social contect of the day in that part of the country (e.g., lower middle and upper middle class families in the American south during the second and third quarter of the twentieth century). "Anthill" also describes Raff's long, single minded pursuit of his law degree and professional placement where he can save the Nokobee Forest from developers. Although intriguing, that part of the story seems a little too easily accomplished and with two few glitches. Likewise, in an escape from murderous evangelical Christians who hate Raff for his advanced education and conservationalist ideas, the trio chasing Raff are slaughtered by a paranoid hermit who lives in the woods. In my opinion, the narrative also suffers from too much narrative telling with too little "showing" of character development.It is not surprising,considering author Wilson's resume, that it is the description of living creatures and botanical species that pushes the book "over the top" in reader engagement. The description of ant habitats (i.e., "hills") with subterranean cells and galleries and the social conventions of the half dozen divisions of labor among the members of the ant colonies is---and there's no other word---simply spectacular. Another fascinating aspect of the author's work with the ants is his analysis of their bodies and features of ants (including details such as the nature and number of teeth, etc. in their mouths). Furthermore, their customs of mating, battle tournaments, attacks, and warfare are all shown in the ants' daily routines, foraging for food, in battle, etc."Anthill" by E. O. Wilson will glue your attention, cover to cover. Just as you fear for Raff Cody as he sometimes faces dangerous missions, so will you grieve the death of an ant queen and the loss of a battle that will cause the colony to die. This is a book guaranteed to change your ideas about nature and the marvel of cooperative cultures, man and insect.

Bellissimo libro. Ricco di descrizioni di fauna e flora. Bella la parte dedicata alle formiche. Si viene trasportati in un mondo inesplorato e molti spesso ignorato

Extremely helpful dealer. ....needs special mention

Professor EO Wilson is not only a top scientist but also a great storyteller. Based on his own childhood the author takes you on a journey through the changes we all undergo as we age and then frames the question, what would you like your life to be, one that is connected to nature or one that is away from it? Beautiful reading.

Prof. Wilson may not be the best novel writer but you will enjoy his massive knowledge about ants, society and the human species.

Well written and has a few unexpected plot twists. This could qualify as a nice light read for a road trip or on your coffee breaks.But it's also a view into the mind of one of America's great biologists- a must-read for fans of Wilson, or for those aiming to become biologists and their loved ones. It makes a great present for a youth (I could have handled this by about age ten, and yet found it perfectly satisfying at 38 too) between the vividly described scenery, the interpersonal drama, and mostly because of all the ethical questions involved. Things like compromise, not judging strangers based on assumptions, being loyal to your past and sticking determinedly to your plan, while still being flexible enough to adapt when appropriate, taking time for new adventures and old traditions, the strength one gains from being alone with Nature, the satisfaction of bravely standing up for what's right against powerful people... there are a million good messages in this book. The main message of course is that we need to make conservation a priority. It's not up there with the great classic novels. It isn't the sort of book you read over and over, with delightful phrases you want to underline and quote. It's a very good read and I am glad I bought it! But it's more a story than a literary work of art.