Customer Reviews

Man's Role in Changing the Face of the Earth

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2 star:		(1)
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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.

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.

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?