| Description |
xxvi, 421 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Series |
Global century series |
|
Global century series.
|
| Contents |
1. Prologue. Preculiarities of a prodigal century -- Part One. The Music of the Spheres: 2. The lithosphere and pedosphere: the crust of the Earth; 3. The atmosphere: urban history; 4. The atmosphere: regional and global history; 5. The hydrosphere: the history of water use and water pollution; 6. The hydrosphere: depletions, dams and diversions; 7. The biosphere: eat and be eaten; 8. The biosphere: forests, fish and invasions -- Part Two. Engines of Change: 9. More people, bigger cities; 10. Fuels, tools and economics; 11. Ideas and politics; 12. Epilogue. So what? |
| Summary |
"In the course of the twentieth century the human race, without intending anything of the sort, has undertaken a giant, uncontrolled experiment on the earth. In time, according to J. R. McNeill in his startling new book, the environmental dimension of twentieth-century history will overshadow the importance of events like the world wars, the rise and fall of communism, and the spread of mass literacy. Contrary to the wisdom of Ecclesiastes that "there is nothing new under the sun," McNeill sets out to show that the massive change we have wrought in our physical world has indeed created something new. To a degree unprecedented in human history, we have refashioned the earth's air, water, and soil, and the biosphere of which we are a part." "McNeill's work is a fruitful compound of history and science. McNeill infuses a substrate of ecology with a lively historical sensibility to the significance of politics, international relations, technological change, and great events. He charts and explores the breathtaking ways in which we have changed the natural world with a keen eye for character and a refreshing respect for the unforeseen in history."--BOOK JACKET |
| Analysis |
Climatic shifts |
|
Population growth |
|
Economic growth |
|
Ecology |
|
Pollution |
|
History |
|
Overseas item |
| Notes |
"First published as a Norton paperback 2001"--Title page verso |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 363-404) and index |
| Notes |
English |
| Subject |
Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- History -- 20th century
|
|
Human ecology -- History -- 20th century.
|
|
Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- History -- 20th century.
|
|
Nature.
|
|
Ecology.
|
|
History, 20th Century.
|
|
Ecology -- history.
|
|
Environment -- history
|
|
Nature.
|
| Genre/Form |
History.
|
| LC no. |
99054900 |
| ISBN |
0393049175 (hardcover) |
|
9780393049176 (hardcover) |
|
0393321835 (paperback) |
|
9780393321838 (paperback) |
|
