The Culling, Robert Johnson
The Culling, Robert Johnson
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The Culling

Author: Robert Johnson

Narrator: Charles Carroll

Unabridged: 13 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/24/2014


Synopsis

Carl Sims, a young virologist, discovers a plot hatched by a group of international scientists to cull, in a matter of weeks, two-thirds of the world's population—some 4.5 billion people—by releasing a deadly virus. Their goal is to reduce Earth's population from an unsustainable seven billion to two billion. What is he to do? Try to stop the conspiracy, or join it?It's horrific, yes, but what if this culling could prevent the extinction of some 40 percent of the planet's flora and fauna? Or if he was certain it was the only way to prevent an even larger human die-off, incurring significantly more suffering, by the end of this century? Or if he were convinced it represented the only hope for humanity surviving at all? This is at the heart of this thriller, for these viruses do, in fact, exist.Most everything that plagues mankind today—the highest concentration of atmospheric CO₂ in three million years, escalating extinction rates, habitat loss, fishery collapses, climate change, polar and glacial ice thaws, arable land loss, desertification, aquifer depletions, ocean acidification, unprecedented air pollution, looming famine, and social unrest—stems from overconsumption which, unchecked, will lead to Earth's sixth mass extinction event.

About Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson was born and raised in Oakland, California, before eventually moving to Hollywood. After earning an MFA from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, he became a screenwriter, earning first place honors in Samuel Goldwyn and Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Awards. His first book, Thirteen Moons: A Year in the Wilderness, chronicled a Henry David Thoreau–esque year he spent living out of a teepee on the banks of the American River high in the Sierra Nevadas. He currently lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and children.

About Charles Carroll

Charles Carroll is an actor and voice-over artist residing in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is an avid film buff and stays active in the local film community.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Natylie on January 02, 2014

*Review origianlly published by the New York Journal of Books* Robert Johnson's first novel tackles an issue that most in the media, the arts, and entertainment industry—even the environmental community—are afraid to discuss directly: overpopulation. The fear of offending powerful individuals who pro......more

Goodreads review by Sheila on December 12, 2013

There’s a strong clear message in Robert Johnson’s The Culling, but there’s a strong clear storyline too, and neither overwhelms the other. It’s appealingly different to read about plausible scientists, speaking real science, giving well-reasoned arguments, and backing them up with facts. These scie......more

Goodreads review by Kendra on December 29, 2013

I received this book from Goodreads Giveaway & boy, am I glad to have had a chance to read it! Carl Sims (the protagonist) is virologist with the CDC in Atlanta. He lost his father at a very young age while his father was overseas trying to convince the world that the rate at which the population wa......more


Quotes

“Robert Johnson’s first novel tackles an issue that most in the media, the arts, and entertainment industry—even the environmental community—are afraid to discuss directly: overpopulation. Despite the potential for despair or preachy diatribes, the gravity of the issues is woven into the story with plenty of colorful characters, gallows humor, and a suspenseful plot that unravels across continents, making for an entertaining and thought-provoking debut.” New York Journal of Books

“Johnson knows his science.” Publishers Weekly

“Johnson’s debut thriller could be more science fact than science fiction…A scary premise. Get a flu shot. Wash your hands regularly.” Kirkus Reviews