Something New under the Sun: An Environmental History of the 20th-Century World by John Robert McNeill, Paul M. Kennedy (Foreword by)

From the Publisher

The history of the twentieth century is most often told through its world wars, the rise and fall of communism, or its economic upheavals. In his startling new book, J. R. McNeill gives us our first general account of what may prove to be the most significant dimension of the twentieth century: its environmental history. 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. Based on exhaustive research, McNeill's story-a compelling blend of anecdotes, data, and shrewd analysis-never preaches: it is our definitive account. This is a volume in The Global Century Series (general editor, Paul Kennedy).

Bill McKibben

Magisterial ....in its august overview. —Boston Globe

New York Times Book Review

An original work of history, exhaustively researched and carefully written.

Evening Standard

A brilliant, lapel-grabbing account of the last century's chaotic interplay between man and his world.

Washington Post Book World

Refreshingly unpolemical and at times even witty, McNeill's book brims with carefully sifted statistics and brilliant details.

KLIATT

Considering how omnipresent environmental issues are in news and politics, it's not surprising that we should see a 20th-century history from an environmental perspective. McNeill is a master of surveying huge fields of study, and he's adept at finding the telling chart or statistic to illustrate a large, nebulous trend. The book is a bit frustrating because it takes so many small bites (5-10 pages) out of big topics (e.g., urban water from North America to Asia), but it is a great resource for students or classes interested in the topic. Major chapters cover the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere. Topics covered inside these include acid rain and the ozone layer; water use and pollution, dams, ground waters and wetlands; and forests, fishing and biodiversity. There are a host of useful maps and tables, a long bibliography and a solid index. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Norton, 421p. maps. bibliog. index., $15.95. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Daniel J. Levinson; History & English Teacher, Thayer Acad., Braintree , September 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 5)

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents