This is a highly readable and engaging account of the rise of one of the dominant "paradigms" in modern ecology. Golley manages to humanize the scientists behind the science while at the same time providing us with extensive footnotes and a really good overview of the theoretical and historical issues involved in the creation of the ecosystem concept. Numerous pictures also help us to visualize the people behind the text and also give us glimpses of the social settings in which some of these ideas developed. While I disagree on theoretical grounds with the widespread use of the term "ecosystem" Golley is to be commended for giving us a remarkably even-handed vision of where it all came from. I use this book extensively with my undergraduate classes in ecology and conservation and it is a real shame that it is out of print. If you see it, grab it.