Man's Role in Changing the Face of the Earth [Hardcover]

William L. Thomas Jr. (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226796035 | ISBN-13: 978-0226796031 | Publication Date: August 15, 1956 | Edition: First Edition

This book presents a large-scale multidisciplinary evaluation of what has happened and is happening to the earth under man's impress. It includes the papers presented by fifty-three eminent scholars at a major conference on ecology—one of the first ever held—sponsored by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research. A pioneering publication in the field of environmental research, the work has steadily contributed to ecological studies, and is now considered a classic.

The volume is organized into three parts. Part 1 deals with man's rise to the status of ecological dominance, and includes discussions of such topics as the role of fire as the first great force harnessed by man, early food-producing populations, the clearing of Europe's woodlands, subsistence economies and commercial economies, and the natural history of urbanization.

Part 2 investigates environmental changes such as man's impact upon the seas and coastlines. The highly topical ecology of wastes is discussed, as well as urban-industrial demands and the depletion of natural resources.

Part 3 is concerned with the limits of the earth's resources. It includes papers dealing with the population spiral, possible limitations of raw-material consumption and energy use, and technological denudation.

Each part is accompanied by a report summarizing the ideas discussed at the conference by the participants.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1236 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; First Edition edition (August 15, 1956)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226796035
• ISBN-13: 978-0226796031
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,640,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Research on effects of prehistoric humans on the ecosystem., January 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Man's Role in Changing the Face of the Earth (Hardcover)

This is an excellent, thoroughly readable collection of scientific studies concerning the role of prehistoric humans in changing the ecosystems they inhabited. The studies range from the extensive farming terraces of China over 5,000 years, to the possible creation of the Great Plains grass ecosystem through Amerindian burning for hunting purposes. Although somewhat dated, this book provides a scope of research that will not be found anywhere else. I read this book thirty years ago during my Anthropology graduate studies at UC Berkeley, and have never forgotten it. I am very happy to see it in print again.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a dated but seminal book on sustainable development, April 14, 2003

By 

Jonathan Holliman (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man's Role in Changing the Face of the Earth (Hardcover)

This is one of the few books, along with Careless Technology, Silent Spring, The Limits to Growth and others that really clarified the approach of humankind to nature. It is not a critique of modern technology or society, but an early and valuable presentation of the ecological consequences of human activities throughout history. I thoroughly recommend this book to any students of environmental studies or development issues.

2.0 out of 5 stars Man's role in changing the Face of the Earth, September 18, 2011

By 

PawneeStrider74a - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Man's Role in Changing the Face of the Earth (Hardcover)

This book is a collection of papers written by various authors; most PHD canidates? The listed authors of the book are only the editors. This is no reflection on the vendor. The book I recieved was as described; I did not find it very helpful in my studies and it certianly ain't a fun read, Eh?