A Concise History of World Population (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviews of the first edition:

"A fine book, well worth reading and highly stimulating for students. It can be thoroughly recommended." Population Studies

"This readable account displays the main strands of the thick skin of human head counts unusually well." Scientific American

"Livi-Bacci marshals an impressive array of evidence to describe large-scale population changes in human history and their future implications." Choice

"This is a bold and intelligent book providing a coherent overview of an enormous topic. Livi-Bacci is a thoughtful, incisive, and wide-ranging guide into a vast terrain; readers will not get lost." Journal of Interdisciplinary History

"This is a balanced and thoughtful treatment of an important and highly controversial subject. It is breathtaking in scope, and sure to become a classic." Richard A. Easterlin, University of South Carolina

"Authoritative, succinct and readable." Ansley J. Coale, Princeton University

"Graceful and wide-ranging, the story is fascinating, and told with style and enthusiasm." Sam Preston, University of Pennsylvania

Product Description

This book describes and explains the history of human population. It examines the changing patterns of its growth, and the effects upon it of migrations, wars, disease, technology and culture. Since its publication in 1992 it has become the most widely read account of the subject, valued for its contemporary recasting of theory, for its informative and accessible style, and for its reasoned treatment of issues crucial to the future of every species. The book is now published in a fully revised edition, taking account of recent trends and research. The author provides a new account of the causes and consequences of European migration and colonization, and of the interactive influence of nature, place and space on settlement and population dynamics. He has revised his discussion of the relationship between development, affluence and population change. The final chapters of the book have been entirely recast to give an extensive analysis of the carrying capacity of the planet in relation to a possible doubling of population during the next fifty years. The author examines the effects of changes in relative affluence and population growth on food production, resources and the natural environment.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (June 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631204555
• ISBN-13: 978-0631204558
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,628,338 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Human population growth as an engine of human history, December 1, 1999

By	Arly Allen "huested" (Lawrence, Kansas) - See all my reviews

Currently, population studies are often population polemics. Two major groups of scholars make the history of human population a battle ground today. The Neo-Malthusians, following Thomas Malthus (d.1834),and currently represented by Paul Ehrlich and Lester Brown,argue that population growth is dangerous and will deplete the world's resources. Others, beginning with Adam Smith (d.1790) and currently best exemplified in the works of Ester Boserup and Julian Simon, argue that population growth leads to higher standards of living and economic growth. Massimo Livi-Bacci adheres to neither group, but presents a balanced work which examines critically the claims of both sides.

Livi-Bacci is one of the great historians of human population of our age. His title suggests that this is a survey of previous studies of population. It is. But it is more than that. It is also a unique work of scholarship. Livi-Bacci presents new work which clarifies and extends our understanding of how population growth has affected past history and how it will continue to affect our lives in the future.

It is well written. The style is clear and concise. It is suitable for the generalist as well as the specialist. It is a joy to read.

There are only two faults that I feel mar this book. The first is that Livi-Bacci pays less attention to the effects of the Demographic Transition than it seems to merit. The second is that there is no summary bibliography. Yet if one wishes to look at one book which reveals how powerfully human population growth has affected human history, this would be the book to choose.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars still growing, November 18, 2006

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Concise History of World Population (Paperback)

This book excels at providing an integrated and comprehensive look at the global population. Studying many trends that have brought us [the world] to the current state of affairs. Like the lowering of fertility across the developed countries. Such that many are now below replacement rates, signalling a future dimunition of population unless immigration is increased. There are explanations of various models of correlations between demographic and population growth. Though many of these are untested and somewhat empirical.

The text also looks at poor countries. Where the situation is often starkly different. While fertility rates have often fallen, these are usually still above replacement rates. Leading some countries to expect continued demographic pressures to maintain, let alone improve, living standards.

Unfortunately, the best available data suggests that the world population will still increase, topping out [we hope] at 9 billion by 2050. It could be grim.

1 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Some fog and smoke., June 18, 2004

By	Morton S. Skorodin (Stillwater, Ok United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Concise History of World Population (Paperback)

Can't quite admit to themselves about the genocide of the natives of the Americas. They should read, e.g., Ward Churchill and revise accordingly.