“Train Wreck Earth” co-authors Dr. Harvard Ayers, left, and David Harman hold copies of their book, which was recognized among the top 100 Best Independently Published Books in 2018 by e-magazine Shelf Unbound. Ayers is professor emeritus in Appalachian’s Department of Anthropology, and Harman is a retired North Carolina certified public accountant and co-owner of Harman-Maulden Designs Inc. Photo courtesy of Harvard Ayers and David Harman
Dr. Harvard Ayers and David Harman's novel, "Train Wreck Earth," was ranked No. 45 in Shelf Unbound’s annual Best Indie/Self-Published Book Competition. Image by Shelfmediagroup.com
Dr. Harvard G. Ayers
Professor emeritus
Department of Anthropology
Top 100 Best Independently Published Books of 2018
Shelf Unbound
“We are thrilled to receive this honor for our book,” said Ayers. “Not only is the message of the book critical to the health of our planet and all living things, but we have been recognized for our writing craft and presentation of the information. Our goal was to explain climate change in an interesting and easy-to-understand format.”
Dr. Harvard Ayers, professor emeritus in Appalachian State University’s Department of Anthropology
BOONE, N.C. — Indie book review e-magazine Shelf Unbound has named “Train Wreck Earth” — the novel co-authored by Appalachian State University Professor Emeritus Dr. Harvard G. Ayers and David Harman — among the top 100 Best Independently Published Books of 2018. Harman is co-owner of Harman-Maulden Designs Inc. and a retired North Carolina certified public accountant.
The book, which explains why climate change is affecting the Earth and how to solve what the pair terms as “climate chaos,” was ranked No. 45 in Shelf Unbound’s annual Best Indie/Self-Published Book Competition.
“We are thrilled to receive this honor for our book,” Ayers said. “Not only is the message of the book critical to the health of our planet and all living things, but we have been recognized for our writing craft and presentation of the information. Our goal was to explain climate change in an interesting and easy-to-understand format.”
In its review of “Train Wreck Earth,” Shelf Unbound wrote, “Readers will learn the science behind the planet’s existential crisis of climate change while they keep turning pages to learn if the main characters’ surprising approach convinces a hard-nosed CEO to change.”
The novel presents scientific information within a “classroom” setting and offers the latest research and legislation affecting the Earth’s climate, as well as viewpoints from prominent climate activists and scientists, including Dr. Michael Mann, distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Penn State and director of Penn State’s Earth System Science Center; Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, scholar in residence in environmental studies at Middlebury College and author of “The End of Nature”; and Dr. Robert Howarth, professor of ecology and environmental biology in Cornell University’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
By David H. Harman and Dr. Harvard G. Ayers
2017
About the Department of Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology offers a comparative and holistic approach to the study of the human experience. The anthropological perspective provides a broad understanding of the origins as well as the meaning of physical and cultural diversity in the world — past, present and future. Learn more at https://anthro.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier, public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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