Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth-Century World (The Global Century Series)"One of those rare books that’s both sweeping and specific, scholarly and readable…What makes the book stand out is its wealth of historical detail." —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker 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 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). |
Contents
3 | |
21 | |
Urban History | 50 |
Regional and Global History | 84 |
The History of Water Use | 118 |
RIVER WATER | 129 |
LAKES AND EUTROPHICATION | 136 |
CONCLUSION | 147 |
Eat and Be Eaten | 192 |
YIELD HISTORY IN 93 DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 19611992 | 223 |
Forests Fish and Invasions | 228 |
More People Bigger Cities | 269 |
Fuels Tools and Economics | 296 |
Ideas and Politics | 325 |
So What? | 357 |
6 | 149 |