The Columbia Guide to American Environmental History [Hardcover]

Carolyn Merchant (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0231112327 | ISBN-13: 978-0231112321 | Publication Date: May 15, 2002

How and why have Americans living at particular times and places used and transformed their environment? How have political systems dealt with conflicts over resources and conservation? This is the only major reference work to explore all the major themes and debates of the burgeoning field of environmental history. Humanity´s relationship with the natural world is one of the oldest and newest topics in human history. The issue emerged as a distinct field of scholarship in the early 1970s and has been growing steadily ever since. The discipline´s territory and sources are rich and varied and include climactic and geological data, court records, archaeological digs, and the writings of naturalists, as well as federal and state economic and resource development and conservation policy. Environmental historians investigate how and why natural and human-created surroundings affect a society´s development. Merchant provides a context-setting overview of American environmental history from the beginning of the millennium; an encyclopedia of important concepts, people, agencies, and laws; a chronology of major events; and an extensive bibliography including films, videos, CD-Roms, and websites. This concise "first stop" reference for students and general readers contains an accessible overview of environmental history; a mini-encyclopedia of ideas, people, legislation, and agencies; a chronology of events and their significance; and a bibliography of books, magazines, and journals as well as films, videos, CD-ROMs, and online resources. In addition to providing a wealth of factual information, The Columbia Guide to American Environmental History explores contentious issues in this much-debated field, from the idea of wilderness to global warming.

(6/1/06)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This latest addition to the Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures series has 10 chapters on historical topics and themes; a 60-page dictionary of environmental agencies, concepts, laws, and people important in American environmental history; an environmental history time line; and a lengthy "Resource Guide." The 10 overview essays are good introductions to general topics. For example, chapter 7, "Conservation and Preservation, 1785-1950," discusses changing land policies and laws, social and scientific movements, and park creation--wide-ranging topics succinctly described and interrelated. "Urban Environments, 1850-1960" (chapter 6) is a reminder that the human environment is often far removed from the natural environment, though its impact is considerable. The chapters have bibliographies of the main sources consulted, useful to those whose interest has been piqued. The table of contents lists both chapter titles and the subheadings for the topics mentioned in each.

The "Resource Guide" offers lists of visual (films and videos) and electronic resources arranged by topic as well as a bibliographic essay and a bibliography of articles and books in 21 categories. The books in the bibliography could serve as a guide when developing a core collection on environmental history. This volume, like the others in the series, should prove to be a welcome addition to academic and large library collections. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

This volume, like others in the series, should prove to be welcome.

(Booklist )

Provides a useful summary of an important subject.

(American Reference Books Annual )

Essential for colleges, university, and large public libraries, and special libraries supporting U.S. history, ecology, geography, or environmentalism.

(Choice )

This is a one-volume resource not to be missed. It will be our primary reference work on American environmental history.

(John Opie Environmental History )

Merchant takes a most useful approach to environmental scholarship by encapsulating a daunting range of factual information and critical information into this practical volume... one of the best books of its kind.

(History )

[Carolyn Merchant] is eminently qualified to produce this fifth edition to "The Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures" series... there is a great deal to admire in this guide.

(Environment and History )

An impressive introduction to environmental history... Merchant has succeeded in producing an accessible first stop handbook that will be relied on for many years.

(Environmental Practice )

Merchant has been one of the most important scholars building the field of environmental history. Her excellent guide will be of use to new students in environmental history and to established scholars coming into the field from other areas.

(John H. Perkins The Quarterly Review of Biology )

Merchant provides a valuable introduction to the topics and perspectives that characterize the discipline.

(Arn Keeling H-Net Reviews )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (May 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231112327
• ISBN-13: 978-0231112321
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,187,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Americans have transformed their environment, and more, August 9, 2002

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Columbia Guide to American Environmental History (Hardcover)

How have Americans transformed their environment, and how have political systems handled conflicts over resources and conservation issues over the decades? Columbia Guide To American Environmental History is the only major reference to explore these themes, and deserves a place on the shelf of any college-level library with a strong collection in environmental issues and political intervention.