Official Review: Heaven and Earth

[eugeniab_427]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Heaven and Earth" by Arturo Riojas.]

[rbc=4]id116865-125[/rbc][i]Heaven and Earth[/i] tells a story about our planet Earth and another planet eight light years away. A few people in the science and engineering industry on Earth met at conferences, and they go about their goals until they meet one of the aliens from the other planet. That alien was on a mission of his own that he is trying to accomplish with his fellow colleagues, by informing the people about a serious health matter, just as the aliens themselves have an illness that they are battling on their planet. Additionally, what those illnesses have in common is that they will lead to the destruction for both humans and aliens if they do not stand up. Finally at the end, the Earthlings that the alien had encountered and spoken to were motivated to dedicate their lives to work for the changes that need to be brought to mankind.



What I like about the book is that it is inspired, or based off of a real problem. In other words, it's a fictional story, but it is bringing attention to cadmium poisoning. At the end of every chapter, we get a list of facts on cadmium itself, where it is found, how it is used, and how it's affecting the human body. For example, the author states that cadmium is a metal, like mercury and lead, that does not belong in our bodies, yet it accumulates in certain places, such as the kidneys, pancreas, bones, et cetera, so it is not just a form of entertainment. The characters are also portraying examples that we should follow, because if we know about a potential deadly result, it is a huge responsibility of ours to do something to prevent that kind of fate from happening. The author supports this cause by writing a science-fiction and fantasy story, and sharing facts about cadmium, in hopes that we would take action.



The book gives the reader a reason to stand up against cadmium, because it's one of the causes to cancer and the other health issues mentioned in the facts. The author made the point that the medical and health industries are running on treating the symptoms of the cause, rather than collaborating to eliminate it, which is cadmium in this case. If cadmium is not eliminated from the fertilizers used for crops, the health effects will continue to occur to the people.



What I did not like about the book was that I had a hard time trying to let all the information about cadmium sink in. I appreciate science, even though I am not completely big on biology, but I could still see where this book was heading.



I rate this book [b]3 out of 4 stars.[/b] I did not give it a 4 because there a couple of grammar mistakes, but I did not give it a 2 because it is still a story that not only hooks the reader, but it inspires us to be part of the change that needs to happen, because it is for our own good. It is standing its ground on its purpose. I think anyone who cares about making a difference in the world would enjoy reading this, especially those who are studying, or in the fields of agriculture, biology, health and nutrition. We need more books like these, to encourage us to participate in a cause that will make a huge difference and impact in our future.

******
Heaven and Earth
View: [url=http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php?id=116865]on Bookshelves[/url] | on Amazon

Like eugeniab_427's review? Post a comment saying so!