Earth Sciences, Geography & Environment Books

Book SynopsisThis volume describes 15 of the most remarkable volcano eruptions in history and, using firsthand accounts, analyzes their impact on humans in their paths. The author surveys volcanic disasters from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD to the eruption of Mount St Helens in 1980.Trade Review"Scarth's readers will learn what authorities now know about how to predict and prepare for big eruptions, and the riveting accounts he provides of each calamity, eye-witness and secondhand, display the fascination that leads so many scientists to risk their lives to study volcanoes." Publishers Weekly "Informative, fascinating, and sobering for the professional volcanologist, anyone attracted by volcanoes and, indeed, anyone interested in human resourcefulness." Hazel Rymer, Times Higher Education Supplement "Gripping and richly illustrated." Robert Kunzig, Discover "Scarth... has assembled riveting eyewitness accounts from lucky survivors through the ages." Laurence A. Marschall, The Sciences "I found the accounts of each of these contrasting events compelling and highly informative, from both geological and sociological perspectives... Scarth is to be congratulated on an excellent book that is easy to read, difficult to put down, and deserving of a very wide audience." Peter Cattermole, Interdisciplinary Science Reviews

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Book SynopsisJoined together in an extraordinarily close relationship, Walt Disney World and Orlando, Florida, have become the world's most popular tourist destination. This title traces the history of this "marriage" and tells the story of Disney's use and abuse of unparalleled governmental powers.Trade Review"One of the book's greatest strengths is its rich detail about how a notoriously secretive company goes to great lengths to preserve its image as the home of the Magic Kingdom." Alecia Swasy, New York Times "Here is a book that will change the way that you look at the Mouse. Not only does ol' Mickey have fuzzy ears and a cute, squeaky voice, but sharp teeth and claws too." Catherine Collins, co-author of Celebration, U.S.A.: Living in Disney's Brave New World "The most readable book on a planning topic since Joel Garreau's Edge City... a richly textured narrative." Planning Magazine

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Book Synopsis'Smart Alliance' tells the story of how Chiquita, formerly the notorious United Fruit Company, reinvented itself as an ally of conservation and together with the Rainforest Alliance set about establishing a 'Better Banana' seal of approval to certify genuine efforts to protect the environment.Trade Review"One of the fairest treatments of environmental and trade issues yet written. Since the Rio conference (1992), we have been challenged to see the synergies between economics and environmental protection, and this study is among the best." Jonathan Plaut, Science, Technology, and Society Program, The Pennsylvania State University, and former chair, NAFTA CECF"

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Book SynopsisA spectacular field guide to the many fascinating creatures of the ocean world algon the norhteaster coast of the United States and the Maritime Provinces of Canada.Trade Review"Wherever one goes along the New England coast this summer, Yale’s new Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife will be an indispensable companion."—Michael Kenney, Boston Sunday Globe"There is nothing out there, in a handsome package that fits in a back pocket, that provides a more comprehensive look at the species you're likely to see on a trip offshore. . . . An incredible amount of information. . . . The book is a joy to peruse."—Bruce Fellman, Timeout"Every sailor, recreational boater, ferry passenger, and all our ships at sea should have this book."—Alan H. Brush, University of Connecticut, Emeritus"The Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife, with its broad approach, clear illustrations and crisp descriptions, serves as a powerful reminder of what is at stake in our offshore environment."—Gerard N. Burrow, M.D., Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration"Proctor and Lynch have produced a pelagic masterpiece, describing North Atlantic wildlife from algae to whales. The field guide is beautifully illustrated and marvelously clear."—Gerard N. Burrow, M.D., Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration"The depth and detail found in this guide is equaled only by the richness of the environment that is its focus. Don’t leave shore without it."—Pete Dunne, Vice President for Natural History Information, New Jersey Audubon Society"A Field Guide to North Atlantic Wildlife a great summary book—it is attractive, easily accessed, and should quickly open the public's eyes to the wonders of our amazing world."—Tom Bergh, Maine Island Kayak Company "This guide provides a handy, beautifully illustrated, single reference to the many marine organisms most likely to be encountered in North Atlantic waters, and it should be particularly useful for anyone making offshore whale watching excursions."—Wayne R. Petersen, Swarovski Birding Community

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Book SynopsisThe idea of a "Greater London" emerged in the 18th century with the expansion of the city's suburbs. In this book, the author traces this growth back to the 17th century, when domestic retreats were established in outlying areas. It shows London as the forerunner of the complex, multifaceted modern cities of today.Trade Review"Elizabeth McKellar is one of the most perceptive and sensible of architectural historians, and she understands London like few others. Her new book Landscapes of London will be important because we now know so much architectural innovation stemmed from cities and the mercantile classes that lived in them."—Simon Thurley, BBC History Magazine -- Simon Thurley * BBC History Magazine *Book of the Year, TLS * TLS *‘That rare thing, a scholarly volume of interest to the non-specialist. Tracing suburbia since the 17th century, McKellar shows historic London as the forerunner of today’s culturally and architecturally complex, multi-faceted cities; she made me look at the layers of the city I thought I knew with fresh eyes.’—Jackie Wullschlager, The Financial Times -- Jackie Wullschlager * Financial Times *"This book, a major contribution to cultural history, establishes that a suburban culture existed in London's rural-urban interface much earlier than the early-19th-century time period posited by conventional scholarship. McKellar employs a variety of sources, including guidebooks, art, music, and literature, to document the culture of the inhabitants of the suburban landscape that emerged in this zone in the 17th century."—E.H. Teague, CHOICE -- E.H. Teague * CHOICE *Winner of the 2017 Elisabeth MacDougall Book Award by the Society of Architecture Historians. -- Elisabeth Blair MacDougall Book Award * Society of Architectural Historians *

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Book SynopsisConsidering the history and theory of geoarchaeology, this book discusses soils and environmental interpretations; initial context and site formation; methods of discovery and spatial analyses; estimating time; and others. It is for all professionals and students interested in the field of geoarchaeology.Trade Review"Probably the most comprehensive treatise on geoarchaeology yet written."—Vance Haynes, University of Arizona -- Vance Haynes"Rapp and Hill provide the single most comprehensive guide to basic principles in the field of Geoarchaeology. The text is an essential resource for teaching earth science applications to undergraduate archaeologists."—Andrea Freeman, University of Calgary -- Andrea Freeman

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to environmental literacy. It demonstrates how the sciences, social sciences, and humanities contribute to understanding our interrelationships with the natural world. It presents an imaginative array of texts, from scientific papers to poetry, legal decisions to historical accounts, personal essays to economic analysis.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“A beguiling, if somewhat sorrowful, account, both a historical biography of the river and, in a way, its obituary. . . . Pleasingly written and indisputably the single best text on the Ganges and its history.”—Wall Street Journal“This is a masterful and encyclopaedic work, with just enough illuminating overviews and factual gems to satisfy the more casual reader” —Olivia Edward, GeographicalLonglisted for the ICAS Book Prize, in the Social Sciences Category, sponsored by the International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS)“This stunningly original, beautifully crafted book is the best history of the Ganges that currently exists. At once a work of 'deep' history, of intellectual and cultural history, and of religious studies, it is informed by Sen’s own extensive travels along the course of the river, which give the narrative a sense of immediacy and engagement. This is deep, patient scholarship of a kind that one rarely sees.”—Sunil Amrith, author of Crossing the Bay of Bengal "A remarkable achievement, this cultural, economic, political, and even ecological history of India's sacred river offers us a new way of thinking about the past and its links with the present as much as the future. Focusing on the materiality of objects and practices as well as stories and memories, Sen's beautifully written book should serve as a model for historians, anthropologists, and others interested in the meaning of civilization."--Faisal Devji, University of Oxford "Ganges is for anyone interested in the history of India or the story of people in a landscape. Sudipta Sen blends geology and ecology with the legendary in a way that is scholarly and sophisticated while always entertaining and often moving to read. Its scope is vast and its accomplishment deeply impressive."—Ruth Harris, University of Oxford"Written in celebration of the Ganges but tinged with a deep sense of mourning, Sen's book tells of the great river as a nurturer of land, armies, successive layers of civilizations and dynasties, and as a repository for human sin and toxic waste, forcing us to grapple with the river's rich past and its most uncertain future."-- Martha Ann Selby, The University of Texas at Austin

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Book SynopsisBiological diversity is considered one of the most urgent environmental concerns. This book explores the historical roots of biological diversity, tracing the evolution of the term as well as the history of the conservation traditions that contributed to its rapid acceptance and popularity.Trade Review“In examining an idea that is now driving conservation worldwide, Tim Farnham gets the story right in a way that no one else has. His book is richly detailed, yet catches the large themes beautifully.”—Elliott Norse, president, Marine Conservation Biology Institute -- Elliott Norse"This book contributes something unique to the literature of what might be called the history and philosophy of conservation. It treats the term and concept of biodiversity itself as its subject and provides an analytic and historical study of it."—J. Baird Callicott, University of North Texas -- J. Baird Callicott

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Book SynopsisAn intimate and candid account of our national parks detailing their strengths, vulnerabilities, and essential role in American lifeTrade Review“American Covenant is part historical review and part memoir. The authors . . . eloquently share their personal experience and ideas on how the preservation and enjoyment of national parks can be addressed in the 21st century.”—Susan Catherine Cork, Conservation Biology“American Covenant is a unique and personal contribution showcasing the hard-earned wisdom of two experts who know the National Park Service the best. Their stories and anecdotes illustrate why national parks are important for both individuals and our nation as a whole.”—Justin Farrell, author of Billionaire Wilderness: The Ultra-Wealthy and the Remaking of the American West“Michael Soukup and Gary Machlis offer a heartfelt, insightful assessment of our national park system complete with science-based recommendations for ensuring this magnificent natural heritage is passed along to future generations in an unimpaired condition.”—Robert B. Keiter, author of To Conserve Unimpaired: The Evolution of the National Park Idea

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Book SynopsisHawaii's forest bird community is the most insular and most endangered in the world and serves as a case study for threatened species globally. Ten have disappeared, nine are critically endangered, and even common species are in decline. This book describes the research and conservation efforts to save Hawaii's forest birds.Trade Review“This book is at once an encyclopedia chronicling a global-scale tragedy, and a masterpiece call-to-arms for saving and restoring what remains of the unique and beautiful Hawaiian avifauna. Thane Pratt and coeditors are outstanding biologists and conservation heroes. For this compendium they assembled the entire who's who of experts on Hawaiian birds and conservation, and they detail the complicated historical, cultural, biological, political, and even ethical aspects of the plight of Hawaiian forest birds. From habitat destruction and agricultural monocultures to alien mammals and a pair of wicked, introduced diseases, Hawaiian birds have steadily succumbed to the full litany of human environmental scourges. The authors make a compelling case that significant conservation investment in Hawaii is vastly overdue, for we still can save the precious few species that remain.”—John W. Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; member, 'Alala Recovery Team -- John W. Fitzpatrick“I have had the pleasure of learning about Hawaiian birds from Thane Pratt for over fifty years. With the publication of this book, the opportunity to take advantage of his passion for and mastery of the subject is open to everyone.”—Peter Vitousek, Stanford University -- Peter Vitousek“Islands are rife with conservation drama and there is no better example than Hawaii. . . .this book is a first for conservation biology of islands in general, and has all the earmarks of a classic. . . . A cornerstone for any nature, conservation and science bookshelf.”—Thomas E. Lovejoy, president of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment and biodiversity adviser for the World Bank and the United Nations Foundation -- Thomas E. Lovejoy“An important book about one of the world’s most imperiled avifauna, provided by those who have devoted their lives to understanding and preserving Hawaii’s natural heritage. Never before has so much original research on so many aspects of extinction crisis been brought together.”—John M. Marzluff, author of In the Company of Crows and Ravens -- John M. Marzluff“This is one of the best bird books that I’ve read in recent years.”—David W. Steadman, The Condor * The Condor *

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Book SynopsisChallenges conventional understandings of 'solving' environmental problems and offers a radically new set of strategies to attain sustainability. This book identifies problematic cultural attributes, such as the unending consumption that characterizes modern life, and outlines practical steps toward developing sustainability as a mindset.Trade Review"'Sustainability by Design, authored by John Ehrenfeld, may be and certainly should be one of the most important books of the 21st century.' Janice Pryor, Host of WUMB's, The Commonwealth Journal 'Ehrenfeld presents a unique perspective on the subject of sustainability that needs to be taken seriously by anyone who claims to talk about the subject.' H. Thomas Johnson, Portland State University"

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Book SynopsisLooks at the eighteenth-century Scottish Enlightenment - which gave birth to modern-day environmentalism - and sheds new light on Scottish thinkers such as Carl Linneaus, David Hume and Adam Smith. In this book, the author argues that Smith's defence of free markets was actually based on idealized notions of self-regulating natural systems.Trade Review “Enlightenment’s Frontier is a wonderful work of environmental, intellectual and social history, which will change historical understanding of eighteenth-century Scotland and illuminate contemporary choices about energy and sustainability.”—Emma Rothschild, Harvard University -- Emma Rothschild “A lively work, written with subtlety, some considerable humor, and always conscious of its contemporary relevance . . . this volume should be read by those with an interest in the history of enlightenment thought, empire and science, development ideology, and environmentalism.”—Paul Warde, University of East Anglia -- Paul Warde “An important and interesting book and one that should speak to different historical scholars—of Enlightenment, of intellectual history, of British and Scottish history.”—Charles W. J. Withers, University of Edinburgh -- Charles W J Withers“This nuanced study is a model of intellectual and environmental history.”—Environmental History * Environmental History *“[Jonsson’s] learned and lucidly written book will draw other scholars’ attention to the period when enlightened Scots looked northward with a mixture of nostalgia, puzzlement, and trepidation.”—Journal of British Studies * Journal of British Studies *“One of the most interesting books published on the Scottish Enlightenment in some time . . . For those interested in the Enlightenment, environmentalism, and eighteenth-century Scotland, this is a book to be read.”—American Historical Review * American Historical Review *“An insightful interpretation of how the Highlands served as a focal point for the environmental reflections of naturalists and politicians.”—Eighteenth-Century Studies * Eighteenth-Century Studies *

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Book SynopsisA spectacular collectible volume, with masterful photographs and expert commentary on some of the world's most striking fossilsTrade Review"With this book we may take a kind of mental bathyscaphe down to the deeps of the Paleozoic Era, probing the sea floor like a marine biologist gifted with the chance to transcend time and space. It is a world well worth exploring."—from the Foreword by Richard Fortey -- Richard Fortey"The jewels in the crown of paleontology are those deposits that preserve soft-bodied animals. The beautiful fossils of the Hunsrück Slate, illustrated here, provide a remarkably complete picture of life in the Devonian seas 400 million years ago."—Derek J. Siveter, Oxford University -- Derek J. Siveter“This book, written in accessible language by the scientists actively working on the famous Devonian Hunsrück Slate of Germany, conveys the latest ideas on the fossils....the attractive color photographs jump right off the page."—Paul Selden, University of Kansas and author of Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems -- Paul Selden"Beautifully illustrated, this book brings to life the exquisite fossils of the Hunsrück Slate, and provides an engaging introduction to life in the oceans of the middle Paleozoic."—Douglas Erwin, co-author of The Cambrian Explosion: The Construction of Animal Biodiversity -- Douglas ErwinHonorable Mention, Photography/Art category at the 2013 New York Book Festival sponsored by JM Northern Media LLC. -- New York Book Festival * JM Northern Media LLC *"A richly detailed introduction to this vanished world . . . The exquisite fossils of the Hunsruck Slate are most beautifully illustrated in large full-color photographs . . . Highly recommended."—Choice * Choice *

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Book SynopsisAn innovative anthology that offers a global perspective on how people think about predicting the future of life on EarthTrade Review“This book, drawing primarily from a 300-year legacy of Western scientific literatures related to global thinking, gives much-needed historical context for the ongoing development of human conceptions of themselves and the whole Earth in relation to each other."—Julianne Lutz Warren, New York University -- Julianne Lutz Warren“Among the greatest challenges for the anthology in the ‘Age of Instant Downloads’ is to offer a whole that is more than the sum of the book’s disparate selections. With so many of these readings easily accessible online, the success of such collections resides in the editors’/contributor’s introductions. Robin, Sörlin, and Warde do a wonderful job of bundling together various conceptual elements under the rubric of ‘global change.’ Their approach offers a very appealing way to introduce key environmental themes to students in a clear and coherent way."—Edward D. Melillo, Amherst College -- Edward D. Melillo"The Future of Nature is a very unusual type of book as it consists of largely natural science texts edited and organized by three humanities scholars...It will be extremely useful in bringing together in one volume a selection of foundational texts for the prevailing thinking about future global change.”—Poul Holm, Trinity College, Dublin -- Poul Holm"This representative and comprehensive collection of the original publications is no small achievement, but what makes the book really sing is the annotated commentary that sets each in its intellectual context and time and show how collectively they build to the understanding of today. There is absolutely no book like it.”—Thomas E. Lovejoy, University Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University -- Thomas Lovejoy“The theme of ‘global change’ turns out to be an excellent way to structure a collection that includes primary sources spanning three centuries as well as commentaries that are uniformly insightful as well as usefully brief. The long time span makes this collection particularly valuable."—Harriet Ritvo, Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- Harriet Ritvo“The editors have done a marvelous job of bringing together a fascinating set of primary materials and a superb set of commentaries that provide something we sorely need: more intellectual history of environmental science and thought.”—Jay Turner, Wellesley College -- Jay TurnerWinner the 2013 New England Book Festival given by the JM Northern Media Family of Festivals, in the Compilations/Anthologies Category. -- New England Book Festival * JM Northern Media *

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Book SynopsisSweeping research on the frozen continent of Antarctica is yielding insights of global importance.Trade Review “A visual and literate exploration of a distant, yet important, continent about which amazingly little is known.”—Choice * Choice *"A worthy piece of writing in its own right, but the color photographs (more than 150 of them) set it apart."—American Scientist * American Scientist *"Richly illustrated with color photographs of Antarctic landscapes, wildlife, and the scientists at work in the field and laboratory."—BioScience * BioScience *

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Book SynopsisAn extensively revised edition of Tim Jeal's classic biography published to mark the bicentenary of the great explorer

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of the rise of the crop strain that came to dominate the American tobacco industry and its toll on the Southern landscape that produced itTrade Review“How did such a valuable crop thrive on land so poor? Why did the earth melt from under the fortunes of planters? Drew Swanson gives answers in a history of bright leaf that is also about the fate of a southern region, a plant and its environment, and the rise of the cigarette.”—Steven Stoll, author of Larding the Lean Earth: Soil and Society in Nineteenth Century America -- Steven Stoll“This book is a history of tobacco agriculture that will add to recent scholarship on the environmental history of staple crop plantations in the U.S. South; it is a significant contribution to this effort to re-write the agricultural history of the South in environmental terms.”—Mart A. Stewart, author of “What Nature Suffers to Groe” -- Mart A. Stewart“A Golden Weed is agrarian history at its best. Avoiding convenient stereotypes, Swanson vividly demonstrates how bright-leaf tobacco farmers transformed the social relations and soils of the Piedmont South.”—Edward D. Melillo, Amherst College -- Edward D. Melillo“Swanson’s finely grained appraisal of bright tobacco culture revises familiar accounts of commodity-crop agriculture, weaving a compelling narrative of economics, race relations, and the land in the Virginia-North Carolina Southside.”—Sara M. Gregg, author of Managing the Mountains -- Sara M. Gregg“With his sure grasp of cultivation and deep insight into the social and ecological realities of growing bright-leaf tobacco, Swanson depicts a region degraded and impoverished not from simple ignorance or greed, but from a tragic inability to overcome economic and racial obstacles.”—Brian Donahue, co-editor of American Georgics: Writings on Farming, Culture, and the Land and author of The Great Meadow: Farmers and the Land in Colonial Concord -- Brian DonahueWon the Ohio Academy of History, for the junior faculty, 2015 Publication Award which is given “to an active member of the Academy” for an “outstanding publication in the field of history issued in the year preceding the annual meeting.” -- Publication Award * Ohio Academy of History *Winner of the 2015 Theodore Saloutos Memorial Award from the Agricultural History Society for the year's best book on agricultural hisotry -- Theodore Saloutos Memorial Award * Agricultural History Society *“…Drew Swanson’s A Golden Weed is [a] well-researched study of tobacco in the Old Bright Belt…Swanson examines tobacco’s environmental history and deep-rooted connections to the region’s culture.”—Dale Coats, NCHR -- Dale Coats * NCHR *"A Golden Weed is thus both a cultural and an environmental history; Swanson is interested in ideas about land but also in the ways that the natural environment..."—Megan Kate Nelson, The Journal of American History -- Megan Kate Nelson * Journal of American History *“Swanson excels in delivering what his title promised: a rigorous exploration of why generations of farmer’s sacrificed the integrity of the landscape they loved to grow soil-depleting tobacco. His persuasive arguments about this key issue now make it essential for future historians of southern agriculture”—Adrienne Monteith Petty, American Historical Review -- Adrienne Monteith Petty * American Historical Review *Selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2015, in the botany category. -- Outstanding Academic Title * Choice *

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Trade Review"Thanks to the superlative efforts of Kathleen Deagan and José Maria Cruxent, the archaeology of La Isabela—one of America’s most important sites—is now accessible to the world. Columbus’s Outpost among the Taínos is destined to become a classic in the field of historical archaeology."—David Hurst Thomas, American Museum of Natural History “La Isabela, founded by Columbus during his second voyage, was the first Spanish settlement in the New World. Kathleen Deagan and J.M. Cruxent are uniquely qualified to discuss this important event. Their book is based on sound scholarship and its style is clear and readable.”—Irving Rouse, author of The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus

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Trade Review“A brilliant overview of this emerging area of study. Barnes and Dove have provided an accessible volume that will shape the social study of climate and climate change from here on.”—Jesse Ribot, University of Illinois -- Jesse Ribot“Climate Cultures offers major insights, makes significant contributions, and illustrates the impressive scope of current anthropological perspectives applied to understanding climate change in new and original ways. It is extremely important scholarship.”—Karl Zimmerer, Pennsylvania State University -- Karl Zimmerer“From the meetings of the IPCC to the perambulations of herders in India, these essays do the crucial work of mapping the origins and impacts of circulating, global, and power-laden climate change cultures.”—Paul Robbins, author of Political Ecology: A Critical Introduction -- Paul Robbins

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Book SynopsisGoes to the heart of the unfolding reality of the twenty-first century: international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have all failed and before the end of the century Earth is projected to be warmer than it has been for 15 million years.Trade Review‘In his crystal-clear analysis Clive Hamilton warns against “Promethean recklessness” and calls for “utmost caution and deep reflection”. It’s depressing to realise what we have done and still want to do to our planet, but hope lies in thinkers such as Hamilton, if only we heed them before it’s too late.’—Tom Moriarty, Irish Times. -- Tom Moriarty * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisTales of the intrepid early naturalists who set sail on dangerous voyages of discovery in the vast, unknown Pacific On the great Pacific discovery expeditions of the long eighteenth century, naturalists for the first time were commonly found aboard ships sailing forth from European ports. Lured by intoxicating opportunities to discover exotic and perhaps lucrative flora and fauna unknown at home, these men set out eagerly to collect and catalogue, study and document an uncharted natural world.This enthralling book is the first to describe the adventures and misadventures, discoveries and dangers of this devoted and sometimes eccentric band of explorer-scholars. Their individual experiences are uniquely their own, but together their stories offer a new perspective on the extraordinary era of Pacific exploration and the achievements of an audacious generation of naturalists. Historian Glyn Williams illuminates the naturalist's lot aboard ship, where danger alternated with boredom and quarrels with the ship's commander were the norm. Nor did the naturalist's difficulties end upon returning home, where recognition for years of work often proved elusive. Peopled with wonderful characters and major figures of Enlightenment scienceamong them Louis Antoine de Bouganville, Joseph Banks, John Reinhold Forster, Captain Cook, and Charles Darwinthis book is a gripping account of a small group of scientific travelers whose voyages of discovery were to change perceptions of the natural world.Trade Review“An extraordinary and entertaining catalog of maritime and scientific endeavor.”—Michael Fathers, The Wall Street Journal -- Michael Fathers * The Wall Street Journal * “An erudite and beautifully illustrated work, Naturalists at Sea wears its learning lightly, and conveys to non-specialists an array of fascinating details about explorers and naturalists, familiar and not-so-familiar, quoting judiciously from their journals and post-voyage publications . . . every page testifies to the indomitable vitality of both explorers and naturalists.”—Andrew Robinson, Nature -- Andrew Robinson * Nature *“This fascinating tale is told across time, ships, captains and crews, and the countries that sent or received these scientific travelers, naturalists who brought their skills and weaknesses to documenting the natural world during the Enlightenment and beyond. Williams. . . does all the hard work of making these lives and adventures comprehensible.”—Library Journal * Library Journal *"[A] fascinating work . . . This well-illustrated book will interest a wide audience."—Choice * Choice *

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Book SynopsisHuman health and wellbeing is inextricably linked to nature; our connection to the natural world is part of our biological inheritance. In this book, a pioneer in the field of biophilia - the study of human beings' inherent affinity for nature - sets forth the first full account of nature's powerful influence on the quality of our lives.Trade Review"'Kellert challenges our 'adversarial' approach to nature with an exploration of eight ways in which we derive meaning from it, from attraction to exploitation... This is a nuanced analysis punctuated with insightful personal narratives.' (Nature) 'This is a very thought-provoking book... Kellert draws both on his personal opinions/observations as well as published peer-review literature. And it's his personal interjections that infuse this book with a sense of wonderment and respect for the natural world.' (T. DeLene Beeland, Wild Muse)"

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Book SynopsisAn essential, up-to-date look at the critical interactions between biological diversity and climate change that will serve as an immediate call to action The physical and biological impacts of climate change are dramatic and broad-ranging. People who care about the planet and manage natural resources urgently need a synthesis of our rapidly growing understanding of these issues. In this all-new sequel to the 2005 volume Climate Change and Biodiversity, leading experts in the field summarize observed changes, assess what the future holds, and offer suggested responses. From extinction risk to ocean acidification, from the future of the Amazon to changes in ecosystem services, and from geoengineering to the power of ecosystem restoration, this book captures the sweep of climate change transformation of the biosphere.Trade Review“This book isn’t just a call to heed the science; it’s a call to citizens everywhere to live up to their responsibilities and protect this fragile planet we share.”—John Kerry, United States Secretary of State, 2013-2017“Mankind’s heedless extraction and pollution of our planet’s resources is tearing apart the web of natural systems that has sustained our species throughout the long course of human development. Tom Lovejoy and Lee Hannah have assembled a book that chronicles these emerging ecological and climatic disasters; yet gives hope that we can still help Earth’s systems heal, and blunt the suffering of coming generations.”—Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Senator for Rhode Island“Biodiversity and Climate Change: Transforming the Biosphere serves as a comprehensiveaccount of this greatest of threatsto humanity’s future. It will serve both as atextbook and a call to action.”—From the Foreword by Edward O. Wilson“An authoritative analysis of the increasing speed and scale of climate change impacts on our biodiversity, together with an illuminating set of specific ways to use our biodiversity to address climate change. A powerful coupling.”—Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary UN Climate Change Convention 2010 – 2016"Lovejoy and Hannah generate a compelling story of the species extinctions that will accompany ongoing, rapid changes in Earth’s climate, coupled with the unrelenting pressure of human population growth."—William H. Schlesinger, President Emeritus, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

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Book SynopsisThe calamities of the mid-seventeenth century were not only unprecedented, they were agonisingly widespread. The author examines first-hand accounts of men and women throughout the world describing what they saw and suffered during a sequence of political, economic and social crises that stretched from 1618 to the 1680s.Trade Review"One of the books I found most informative and most perversely enjoyable this year is Geoffrey Parker’s Global Crisis: War, Climate Change and Catastrophe in the Seventeenth Century. It deserves, and rewards, careful reading."— Jane Smiley, Harper's "It is rare that one reads a history book so compelling and so stimulating that one forgets to eat, but that was my experience with Geoffrey Parker’s magnificent Global Crisis, a magisterial, near 900-page study of the world in the 17th century that centres on the relationship between climate and human conflict."—Paul Lay, History Today "Mr. Parker tells [the story] with verve. . . . [his] novel interpretation, emphasizing climate instead of individual agency, helps to explain socio-economic change and revolution in ways that future historians will inevitably have to take into account."—Wall Street Journal "The author sets out to examine a century in which weather patterns radically altered and political, social and economic crises seemed to engulf every part of the world. What relationship does a changing climate bear to global stability? There could scarcely be a more timely question to ask. Parker deploys a dazzling breadth of scholarship in answering it."—Dan Jones, Times "In his monumental new book . . . Parker’s approach is systematic and painstaking . . . giv[ing] us a rich and emotionally intense sense of how it felt to live through chaotic times."—Lisa Jardine, Financial Times "Global Crisis is a magnum opus that will remain a touchstone in three areas for at least a generation: the history of the entire globe, the role of climate in history, and the identification of a major historical crisis in the seventeenth century. . . . Wide-ranging, monumental works of history are rare; this is one of them."—Theodore K. Rabb, Times Literary Supplement "In this vast, superbly researched and utterly engrossing book, Parker shows how climate change pushed the world towards chaos. . . . Parker’s book is not merely powerful and convincing, it is a monument to scholarly dedication."—Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times "[A] milestone in our understanding of early modern history."—Theodore K. Rabb, Times Literary Supplement "[A] staggeringly researched, rivetingly written and intellectually dazzling book. . . . I expect it to be read and debated for decades to come."—Sunday Times "A work of formidable erudition and scope from a renowned British authority on early modern history."—Financial Times "My big book of the year has been Geoffrey Parker’s Global Crisis on the disastrous war-torn 17th century. It fills in gaps, gives different perspectives—not least on Scotland during the Civil War—and opens new areas of history to explore."—Catriona Graham, The Guardian “Enormous research efforts have gone into the writing of this book, an incisive analysis of historical and climatological events during the seventeenth century. . . This is a fascinating book that every politician and bureaucrat should read to see in past mistakes things that must be avoided.”—Madra Sivaraman, Environmental Studies "By exploring the impact of those extreme weather events which accompanied the Little Ice Age—and by the remarkable industry of his researches (his bibliography and list of sources run to nearly 150 pages)—he has added a whole new dimension to our understanding of that near-universal 'time of crisis.' . . . This is indeed a superb and harrowing book, well worth reading for the skill with which Parker summarizes the history of pretty well all the world."—Christopher Booker, Asian Age "Global Crisis is the production of a scholar . . . who has reflected on what he knows long enough to take on the double task of synthesis and breakthrough. . . . Parker regales the reader with some wild and grim tales, interleaved with thoughtful reflections from those who lived through the crises. A more genial geode to disaster one couldn’t hope to find. We shall need more of these in the future."—Timothy Brook, Literary Review "[T]his monumental work by the distinguished historian Geoffrey Parker . . . is a formidable piece of scholarship that goes beyond it’s evident grand scale and ambition as a work of synthesis. . . . This book is scholarly and readable, bursting with fully documented examples and authoritative coverage of a vast swathe of 17th-century history, written on a broad canvas but accessible and compelling. It represents a worthy distillation of several decades of Parker’s scholarship, and should provide food for thought for academic historians and interested readers alike."—Penny Roberts, BBC History Magazine "This is indeed a superb and harrowing book, well worth reading for the skill with which Parker summarises the history of pretty well the whole world . . . a fascinating contribution to history."—Christopher Booker, Spectator "Its subject is huge, sprawling, all-encompassing and there is an almost reckless ambition about its purpose. It is a big book. It is also a brilliant one, but it requires attention, time and thought. . . . This history is told with a sustained gusto by Parker but . . . it is the contemporary significance of the book that is truly breathtaking."—Hugh MacDonald, Sunday Herald "Geoffrey Parker has secured an enviable reputation as one of the leading historians of early modern Europe. He has decided to branch out and the results are spectacular. The ambition of his new book is astonishing and the range of research is almost impossible to believe."—Jonathan Wright, Geographical "Global Crisis is one of those books that appear once in a generation and define the field."—Daniel Headrick, Journal of World History "A towering achievement of erudition, scholarship, graceful style, and wisdom . . . That a single individual, so accomplished within the conventional western European framework, chose to range out beyond it so inclusively is visionary."—Joseph C. Miller, Journal of World History Winner of one of the 2012 Heineken Prizes Sunday Times History Book of the Year 2013 Selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2013 in the History, Geography, & Area Studies Category Received an Honorable Mention for the 2013 American Publishers Awards for Professional and Scholarly Excellence (PROSE), in the European & World History category Winner of the Society for Military History 2014 Distinguished Book Award for the best book-length publication in English on non-United States military history "Geoffrey Parker's Global Crisis is at once a revelation and a provocation. By examining a period of unusual climatic perturbation Parker helps us better understand our own era of climate change. Few indeed are the works of history that are so urgently relevant to the present and the future."—Amitav Ghosh, author of The Great Derangement "Geoffrey Parker has deployed the human archive for climate change during the seventeenth century in a masterly synthesis of history and paleoclimatology that helps us redefine the impact of the Little Ice Age on humanity. The Global Crisis is a beautifully written, masterly work of multidisciplinary history, which draws on an amazing range of sources. Parker’s work opens up exciting new avenues for historical inquiry and has direct relevance to today’s debates over climate change and humanity."—Brian Fagan, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of The Little Ice Age "Geoffrey Parker’s Global Crisis is an extraordinarily ambitious attempt to write world history "from the bottom up". Based on long decades of work, and eschewing the facile solution of just drawing on secondary literature, Parker once more shows his grasp of varied archives and texts for which he is celebrated. He draws them together around a complex yet powerful thesis linking climate, military power and political change in the seventeenth century. Learned and argumentative, yet written with subtlety, wit and panache, his book will set the bar for the next generation of students and scholars who want to write history on this scale."—Sanjay Subrahmanyam, University of California at Los Angeles "Parker has given us the most profound and global account of the pivotal seventeenth century, from its revolutions and rebellions to scientific and constitutional breakthroughs. As we enter a new era of global climate change, this gripping book provides a wondrous portrait of a similar age and a stern warning."—Jack A. Goldstone, author of Why Europe? The Rise of the West in World History 1500-1850 "A world-altering force [that] has been emerging, one larger, more devastating, and more definitive than the any other 'turn' in recent historiography: 'I speak of climate change—or climate collapse—and all of its related global transformations.'"—Julia Adeney Thomas, American Historical Review

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Book SynopsisA highly regarded academic and former policy analyst and consultant charts the forty-year history of neoliberalism, environmental governance, and resource rights in MadagascarTrade Review“An incisive and devastating account of the transnational politics of conservation. A must read!”—Michael Goldman, author of Imperial Nature: The World Bank and Struggles for Social Justice in the Age of Globalization -- Michael Goldman“Catherine Corson masterfully shows how a conjuncture of devoted people carrying diverse interests and operating with institutional constraints came together to focus American development aid in Madagascar on biodiversity in parks.”—Christian Kull, author of Isle of Fire: The Political Ecology of Landscape Burning in Madagascar -- Christian Kull“Corson’s remarkable multi-sited ethnography exposes the narratives and power relations of neo-liberal conservation in one of the world’s most hotly-contested landscapes. As environmental politics intensify in an era of climate change and financialisation, this is vital reading for all concerned with the intertwined futures of Africa’s forests and people.”—Melissa Leach, University of Sussex -- Melissa Leach“Truly brilliant! Catherine Corson traces the environmental story in the one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, showing how international and national power struggles undermined the well-meaning efforts of conservationists and donors, distorting sustainable development objectives in the country and ignoring the realities of peasant livelihoods. Personal insights from involvements in USAID, DFID, and numerous interactions in Madagascar and on Capitol Hill enliven this gripping account. It is a fascinating and well-documented read, brim-full of challenging perspectives for anyone engaged in trying to save the planet. It is indeed an important book.”—Sir Richard Jolly, Institute of Development Studies -- Sir Richard Jolly“From the villages of rural Madagascar to the board rooms of conservation organisations in Washington DC, Corridors of Power traces the fascinating story of conservation in one of the world’s most biodiverse rich regions. Its rich ethnographic approach shows how knowledge and politics intertwine in the framing and practice of biodiversity conservation. This is a ‘must read’ book for anyone interested in conservation and development in Africa and beyond.”—Ian Scoones, author of Sustainable Livelihoods and Rural Development -- Ian Scoones“This is a highly original book, which makes a major contribution to our understandings of theoretical debates around neoliberalism, policy formation, and the roles of international actors. It provides a fascinating and in-depth analysis, and as such this book deserves to be widely read.”—Rosaleen Duffy, SOAS University London -- Rosaleen Duffy

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Book SynopsisA timely and incisive examination of contemporary urban unrest that explains why riots will continue until citizens are equally treated and politically includedTrade Review“Mustafa Dikec begins with the compelling puzzle that in some of the world’s most developed and prosperous cities, in stable democratic societies, we are seeing mass-based violent uprisings [. . .] The book is an enjoyable and enlightening read” —Emma Elfversson, Policing“Urban Rage lays out in compelling detail an argument for understanding urban unrest in the contemporary era. Anyone interested in the fate of cities, and especially the people in them, needs to read this book. Excellent, highly accessible, and at times humorous even as it is always deadly serious.”—Don Mitchell, author of The Right to the City “These comparative case-studies, richly detailed and attentive to local conditions, overthrow the hoary stereotype of the irrational mob. Read carefully and you’ll begin to understand the rationality of urban revolts"—perhaps even their necessity in our gilded world.”—Mike Davis, author of City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles “An excellent transatlantic contextualization of recent urban protest.”—Göran Therborn, University of Cambridge, author of Cities of Power “Brilliantly cutting across the North Atlantic, Mustafa Dikeç repositions the cities of the West within the long histories of colonialism and imperialism and reminds us that these wars are not over. Urban Ragethus raises profoundly important questions about the urgent aspirations of our time: emancipation, justice, and humanity. A beautiful book.”—Ananya Roy, author of Poverty Capital

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Book SynopsisIn a new edition of his hard-hitting book on climate change, economist Dieter Helm looks at how and why we have failed to tackle the issue of global warming and argues for a new, pragmatic rethinking of energy policy. An optimistically levelheaded book about actually dealing with global warming.Kirkus Reviews, starred review [Dieter Helm] has turned his agile mind to one of the great problems of our age: why the world's efforts to curb the carbon dioxide emissions behind global warming have gone so wrong, and how it can do better.Pilita Clark, Financial TimesTrade Review"A devastating analysis of why the world has failed to do much about global warming - and a plan for how markets can help governments do much better."—David G. Victor, author of Global Warming Gridlock -- David G. Victor

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Book SynopsisA provocative reassessment of the relationship between states and environmental politics in AfricaTrade Review“The Green State in Africa contributes immensely to African studies. Death offers us an alternative theoretical conception of the African state and politics, and effectively links environmentalism to state transformation.”—Maano Ramutsindela, author of Transfrontier Conservation in Africa: At the Confluence of Capital, Politics, and Nature -- Maano Ramutsindela“Carl Death takes the study of the green state in a refreshing new direction by bringing the very different circumstances of colonial and post-colonial green states in Africa into a critical dialogue with the mostly western-centric scholarship on this topic. Such a debate is long overdue!”—Robyn Eckersley, author of The Green State -- Robyn Eckersley“This book is a must read—it clearly shows that the environment is not a secondary concern for African states; it draws together apparently disparate debates on green states and African states for the first time, to produce an engaging and highly original analysis.”—Rosaleen Duffy, author of Nature Crime: How We’re Getting Conservation Wrong -- Rosaleen Duffy“In The Green States in Africa Carl Death has presented one of the strongest and most convincing arguments for understanding the nature of the state in Africa and beyond, through the environmental politics lens.”—Thembela Kepe, University of Toronto -- Thembela Kepe“The Green State in Africa offers a radical reading of global environmental politics hinged upon the centrality of the African state to ‘green politics and governance.’ This well-crafted book brilliantly presents an innovative, state-centric theorization of environmental politics in Africa, exploring its transformative potential and significance in the struggle for a just, equitable, and environmentally sustainable world.”—Cyril Obi, Social Science Research Council, New York -- Cyril Obi“This is an original study that contributes much to international relations, state theory, green politics, and the possibilities of thinking much more carefully about sustainable modes of rule in the future both in Africa and elsewhere.”—Simon Dalby, Wilfrid Laurier University -- Simon Dalby“The Green State in Africa is highly important because it is unique in its overview and discussion of environmental governance in Africa.”—Peter Oosterveer, Wageningen University -- Peter OosterveerWinner of the 2018 Harold and Margaret Sprout Award, given by the Environmental Studies Section of the International Studies Association -- Harold and Margaret Sprout Award * International Studies Association *

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Book SynopsisA single, monumental mappa mundi (world map), made around 1300 for Hereford Cathedral, survives intact from the Middle Ages. As Marcia Kupfer reveals in her arresting new study, this celebrated testament to medieval learning has long been profoundly misunderstood. Features of the colored and gilded map that baffle modern expectations are typically dismissed as the product of careless execution. Kupfer argues that they should rightly be seen as part of the map's encoded commentary on the nature of vision itself. Optical conceits and perspectival games formed part of the map's language of vision, were central to its commission, and shaped its display, formal design, and allegorical fabric. These discoveries compel a sweeping revision of the artwork's intellectual and art-historical genealogy, as well as its function and aesthetic significance, shedding new light on the impact of scientific discourses in late medieval art.Published for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art

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Book SynopsisA lavishly illustrated and long-overdue guidebook to the rich natural history of Long Island Sound and its coastlines, a region beloved by millions of peopleTrade Review"A lavishly illustrated and enlightening companion to anyone who cares about the 110-mile long estuary’s survival."—Sam Roberts, New York Times"Lynch’s illustrations are accurate, subtle and beautiful. His understanding of the subject—both the big picture and the details—is comprehensive. . . . I can easily envision general readers and students carrying it with them to the beach or the shore and referring to it often."—Tom Andersen, author of This Fine Piece of Water: An Environmental History of Long Island Sound"This book promises to be THE go-to guide for anyone seeking basic information about the natural history of Long Island Sound. . . . I would certainly buy the book, both for myself, and as a gift for others."—Chris Elphick, University of Connecticut"Significant and exhaustive. . . . With gorgeous photographs, illustrations, and scientific graphics, the author presents a vivid story about the ecological importance of this diverse set of ecosystems, from its deepest open-water reaches to its shorelines."—Elizabeth Farnsworth, New England Wildflower Society"An informative guide to Long Island Sound habitats, organisms, and both natural and cultural history."—Kurt Bretsch, Stony Brook University"This captivating and superbly illustrated work by Patrick Lynch is badly needed and is a tremendous resource that I will treasure for many years to come."—Margaret Van Patten, Connecticut Sea Grant, University of Connecticut

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Book SynopsisA unique, beautifully illustrated exploration of our fascination with our closest primate relatives, and the development of primatology as a disciplineTrade Review“A compact but wide-ranging survey of human beings’ relationship to their closest living relatives in nature, the great apes (chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan), within the context of the primates more broadly . . . There is an enormous amount of history packed into a relatively short space.”—Ian Tattersall, author of The Strange Case of Rickety Cossack: And Other Cautionary Tales from Human Evolution and Masters of the Planet: The Search for Our Human Origins“What must it mean to hold open space, hold open the present and the future, for beings from whom modern humans have wrested space and lifetimes so radically? The Great Apes writes of the history of coming to know the apes in their profound similarities and differences from each other and from human beings. These histories are essential to deepening long-overdue practices of care for individuals and species. Terrans Unite!”—Donna J. Haraway, author of Primate Visions: Gender, Race, and Nature in the World of Modern Science“Presenting a rich panorama of ape and human actors and the knowledge that their interactions have generated, Chris Herzfeld offers a history of primatology that is simultaneously engaging, enlightening, and inspiring.”—Richard W. Burkhardt, Jr., author of Patterns of Behavior: Konrad Lorenz, Niko Tinbergen, and the Founding of Ethology“Spanning centuries and continents, this book provides an excellent examination of the many scientists, philosophers, and artists who have grappled with the similarities and differences between humans and other apes while also bringing attention to the primates whose lives were observed, manipulated, or abused as part of this animal history.”—Georgina M. Montgomery, author of Primates in the Real World: Escaping Primate Folklore and Creating Primate Science

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“[A] beautiful new book [. . .] City Unseen, is based on the striking geometries and bold colors of satellite images and tells about our urban world as it is seen from space”— Roman Cybriwsky, Environmental History“The images in City Unseen struck me in much the same way as my views out the spacecraft window: stunning, beautiful, and enlightening.”—Kathryn D. Sullivan, retired NASA astronaut and former Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration“One will never look at cities in the same way. City Unseen provides an urban observatory and tells a compelling story of sustainable development that all should see and read, regardless of where one calls home.”—Dawn J. Wright, Chief Scientist, Esri“City Unseen allows a unique look at cities with the help of satellite technology, demonstrating both our vulnerability and the opportunities to design a sustainable urban future.”— Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Former Director General, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)“Magnificent. Powerful images and crisp informative writing put cities across the world into comparative perspective to reveal patterns and places hitherto unseen.”—Susan Parnell, African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town"Seto and Reba have produced a masterful and much-needed foundation to reinforce decision-makers’ abilities to manage 21st century territorial development. This is a must-read and enduring reference for all urbanists."—Eugenie L. Birch, University of Pennsylvania

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Book SynopsisA new edition of a definitive history of American environmental policy, focusing on policies from 1970 to the Trump administration and their historical contextTrade Review“Masterfully captures the origins and evolution of American environmental policy over four centuries.”—Rupert Cutler, former assistant secretary of agriculture, and president of Defenders of Wildlife“More comprehensive and inclusive than any other study of the historical evolution of U.S. environmental policy and an extraordinary resource for both research and teaching.”—Sheldon Kamieniecki, University of California, Santa Cruz“Managing the Environment, Managing Ourselves is a tour de force, capturing centuries of U.S. environmental policy.”—Edward Weber, author of Bringing Society Back In: Grassroots Ecosystem Management, Accountability, and Sustainable Communities“Managing the Environment, Managing Ourselves is both important and timely. Richard Andrews brings together exquisite details to present a broad conception of environmental policy, including natural resources, agriculture, pollution, transportation, economic development, and energy.”—Michelle Pautz, professor of political science, University of Dayton, coauthor of US Environmental Policy in Action“Truly terrific and the only text on the market that provides a thorough and complete historical overview of American environmental policy.”—Sarah Phillips, author of This Land, This Nation: Conservation, Rural America, and the New Deal “An essential book for our era, near encyclopedic in coverage, clear and, and easy to read, with solidly grounded judgments and a profound story.”—James Gustave Speth, former dean, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and author of America the Possible: Manifesto for a New Economy “A magnificent work of scholarship that should be read by anyone interested in how we got to where we are with regard to today’s energy, environmental, and sustainability battles.”—Dan Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, Yale University “Professor Andrews shows an unmatched ability to use history to inform today’s environmental policy challenges. Balanced and robust, this new edition is exceptionally valuable to student and scholar alike.”—Stan Meiburg, former acting deputy administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “Richard Andrews skillfully presents a comprehensive history of U.S. environmental management policy from the colonial era to the present day, allowing readers to understand environmental policy in the context of its broad history.”—Dee Eggers, University of North Carolina, Asheville “Pete Andrews has made a classic contribution that only gets stronger in this revised edition. This book belongs at the top of the reading stack for anyone who wants to understand the past of American environmental policy—and prepare for its future.”—Barry Rabe, author of Can We Price Carbon?

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“It is truly inspiring to follow Emily Southgate's thoughts on people and the environment over time. This is a classic of historical ecology and at the same time a very personal and inspiring book.”—Matthias Bürgi, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL"This edition presents two decades of progress in historical ecology, in which Southgate remains a crucial leader. She cogently shows the value of historical ecology for understanding the present, and shaping a sustainable future."—Steward Pickett, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies“Revising what has been the foremost text in historical ecology for over twenty years may seem a risk. But readers can rejoice: a classic has been expertly updated and improved.”—David Mladenoff, University of Wisconsin-Madison“After reading this book it will be impossible to take a walk in nature—pristine or otherwise—without wondering how past human activities may have shaped the ecosystem in ways profound or subtle.”—Mark Vellend, author of The Theory of Ecological Communities“Emily Southgate provides an effective and insightful message on the nature of human-environment interaction through time. This is a valuable and important contribution to the emerging field of historical ecology.”—Christopher L. Hill, co-author of Geoarchaeology: The Earth Science Approach to Archaeological Interpretation

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Book SynopsisAn award-winning environmental historian explores American history through wrenching, tragic, and sometimes humorous stories of getting lostFascinating. . . . Underlying . . . is a deep belief in the importance of collaboration and cooperation between humans and their environments, as well as between humans and other humans.Robert Macfarlane, New York Review of Books The human species has a propensity for getting lost. The American people, inhabiting a mental landscape shaped by their attempts to plant roots and to break free, are no exception. In this engagingbook, environmental historian Jon Coleman bypasses the trailblazers so often described in American history to follow instead the strays and drifters who went missing. From Hernando de Soto's failed quest for riches in the American southeast to the recent trend of getting lost as a therapeutic escape from modernity, this book details a unique history of location and movement as well as the confrontations that occur when our phTrade Review"Fascinating. . . . Underlying . . . is a deep belief in the importance of collaboration and cooperation between humans and their environments, as well as between humans and other humans."—Robert Macfarlane, New York Review of Books “Nature Shock is original, compelling, deeply researched, and expansively written, showcasing Jon Coleman’s signature wit and verve.”—Louis Warren, author of God's Red Son: The Ghost Dance Religion and the Making of Modern America“In an ambitious continental frame extending from the sixteenth century to the present, Nature Shock carries us through the history of getting lost in America. This is an unconventional and deeply compelling history of American empire, nation-making, and identity seen not from the typical centers of power but rather from the unstable edges.”—Samuel Truett, author of Fugitive Landscapes: The Forgotten History of the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands“From the wanderings of Spanish explorers to the age of smartphones, Jon Coleman’s Nature Shock artfully explores ‘getting lost’ in America and why it should matter to all of us.”—William Wyckoff, author of How to Read the American West: A Field Guide"No doubt about it, we are a nation of lost souls; in this book for our times, Jon Coleman explains brilliantly how that happened, and its consequences."—Thomas P. Slaughter, author of Exploring Lewis and Clark“In this sweeping work, Jon T. Coleman traces what it has meant to be lost over the centuries, and introduces the remarkable individuals who experienced such wilderness. The result is an illuminating and inspirational rethinking of nature and social connection.”—Louis P. Masur, Rutgers University

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Engaging and memorable. . . . Throughout his rollicking tales, Peters expressly highlights rural people collecting, analyzing, and applying sophisticated forest inventory and growth data—producing homegrown scientific information to sustainably manage their resources."—J. Leighton Reid, Science"A very personal and fascinating account of the author’s research on a wide diversity of tropical forest crops from around the tropics. This is a major contribution to the promotion of the sustainable use of tropical ecosystems and their resources."—Ghillean T. Prance FRS, Former Director Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew"A brilliant distillation, full of perceptive insights by a master observer, about the ways that local people in the tropics manage the forests in which they live."—Sir Peter Crane, Oak Spring Garden Foundation, author of Ginkgo: The Tree That Time Forgot“Peters strikes a perfect balance between memoir of a tropical forester, description of unique research methods, and discussion of social dimensions—leavened at just the right moments with a little whimsy.”—Michael R. Dove, Yale University, author of The Banana Tree at the Gate: A History of Marginal Peoples and Global Markets in Borneo“This book is a wonderful blend of autobiography, anthropology, tropical forest ecology, and story-telling drawn from a remarkable career of field research with the rugged, resilient people who live in and from tropical forests. It delivers a poignant message that fine-grained, people-friendly, boots-on-the-ground approaches to tropical forest conservation are indispensable.”—Dan Nepstad, President and Executive Director of the Earth Innovation Institute“This book offers a rare glimpse into the life worlds of a highly mobile forest ecologist who had his own zoom lens trained in two intertwined directions. The stories in this volume thus tell tales not only of tropical environments but of an unusual field ecologist who focused as much—if not more—on the human-environment interactions as on the tropical environments that the humans and forest plants co-produced.”—Nancy Lee Peluso, University of California, Berkeley

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of the scale, practical reality, and future implications of the growing integration of biodiversity conservation with global security concernsTrade Review“The military, intelligence services and tech companies were barely visible at the 2014 London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, recalls scholar of international politics Rosaleen Duffy. This ‘security turn’ in conversation—since intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic’s links to a Chinese wildlife market—drives her timely analysis of a complex phenomenon.”—Nature“There are few keener observers of international biodiversity conservation than Rosaleen Duffy. With a ferocity of purpose, she investigates the tenuous connections and nuances among illegal wildlife trade, terrorism threats, and national security.”—Steven R. Brechin, Rutgers University, New Brunswick“Rosaleen Duffy provides a timely critical reflection on how the illegal wildlife trade facilitates the convergence of conservation and security strategies, resulting in a new and worrying set of conservation practices.”—Maano Ramutsindela, lead editor, The Violence of Conservation in Africa“Rosaleen Duffy robustly and eloquently evidences the complex interplay of protecting wildlife. This book is a must-read to understand the securitization and militarization of conservation and its unintended consequences.”—Tanya Wyatt, author of Wildlife Trafficking: A Deconstruction of the Crime, Victims, and Offenders“A groundbreaking critique of the recent ‘securitization’ of the illegal wildlife trade—one that pushes us beyond black-and-white narratives toward more just, ethical, and decolonial conservation futures.”—Liana Chua, University of Cambridge /The Global Lives of the Orangutan project“This is a necessary read for critical times: a brilliant analysis of the securitization of wildlife conservation, and an urgent reminder of the structural conditions that brought us here.”—Diana Ojeda, Universidad de los Andes

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Book SynopsisA deeply personal master class on how to read a natural landscape and unravel the clues to its unique ecological historyTrade Review“A delightful immersion in close observation and deep understanding.”—Tristan Gooley, author of The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs and The Natural Navigator“A book for the shelf of any forest wanderer—and a book to take on those wanders, so you can much better understand what you’re seeing!”—Bill McKibben, author of Wandering Home“Charney inspires readers to rediscover a sense of wonder in their local landscapes, from soil to slopes to stone walls to salamanders. Become a nature detective by reading this insightful book!”—Meg Lowman, author of Life in the Treetops and The Arbornaut“Unfolding as a series of puzzles or mysteries in the landscape, this book is a thought-provoking, vivid, and creative guide to asking the right questions and being in the moment in the outdoors.”—James Barilla, author of My Backyard Jungle “This very engaging book is a series of natural history mysteries and a naturalist’s memoir. Highly recommended!”—Tom Wessels, author of Reading the Forested Landscape: A Natural History of New England “As an art historian, I’m used to ‘reading’ paintings. Here, Noah Charney has provided a guide to ‘reading’ landscapes, focusing on the natural wonder that are trees. I’m honored to share the name of the author of this brilliant, approachable book.”—Noah Charney, author of The Art Thief: A Novel and The 12-Hour Art Expert: Everything You Need to Know about Art in a Dozen Masterpieces “Written in a familiar and conversational style, this book will be a welcome source for naturalist studies and the ‘reading’ of landscapes.”—Robert Sanford, author of Reading Rural Landscapes: A Field Guide to New England’s Past

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking examination of the implications of synthetic biology for biodiversity conservationTrade ReviewCHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2022“Brilliant, challenging and fresh: Kent Redford and Bill Adams’s focus on genetics as a means of conservation raises fascinating ethical and scientific questions, and helps us understand why we so often fail.”—Fiona Reynolds, author of The Fight for Beauty“A fantastic, readable primer on genetic technologies for conservationists and on conservation for geneticists—with the ultimate aim of charting an ethical course forward for both fields.”—Emma Marris, author of Rambunctious Garden and Wild Souls“Strange Natures is a ground-breaking work, the first book to investigate the multiple challenging questions of synthetic biology in biodiversity conservation for a broad audience.”—Thomas Brooks, International Union for the Conservation of Nature“At last: Strange Natures goes to the very heart of the intersection of gene technology, conservation and ethics. Kent Redford and Bill Adams are thoughtful, sure-footed guides through this scientific and ethical thicket. An amazing book!”—Thomas E. Lovejoy, University Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University“An essential guide to the future of nature; a future that you may not know is already underway. Strange Natures succinctly introduces a most urgent dilemma that all life has a stake in.”—Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, artist/ lead author of Synthetic Aesthetics: Investigating Synthetic Biology’s Designs on Nature

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“The nineteenth-century Challenger expedition was a voyage with a single purpose—scientific discovery. Macdougall looks forward rather than back and connects the Challenger findings with modern oceanographic and even lunar explorations. The result is truly a delight to read.”—Brian Skinner, Yale University“An epic Victorian-age expedition made relevant to the world today by Macdougall’s masterful prose. The excitement of discovery is infectiously brought to life in this delightful read. A landmark book about a landmark voyage.”—Nick Fraser, National Museums Scotland“Macdougall’s book not only brings to light a fascinating scientific expedition but also draws attention to the importance of scientific exploration and discovery even in today’s modern world.”—S. E. Brazer, Salisbury University

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Book SynopsisA leading environmental thinker takes a hard look at the obstacles and possibilities on the long road to sustainability This gripping, deeply thoughtful book considers future of civilization in the light of what we know about climate change and related threats. David Orr, an award-winning, internationally recognized leader in the field of sustainability and environmental education, pulls no punches: even with the Paris Agreement of 2015, Earth systems will not reach a new equilibrium for centuries. Earth is becoming a different planetmore threadbare and less biologically diverse, with more acidic oceans and a hotter, more capricious climate. Furthermore, technology will not solve complex problems of sustainability. Yet we are not fated to destroy the Earth, Orr insists. He imagines sustainability as a quest and a transition built upon robust and durable democratic and economic institutions, as well as changes in heart and mindset. The transition, he writes, is beginning from the bTrade Review". . . sets out a way to reform society from bottom up by radically changing our economics, our education system—even our evolutionary traits."—Louise Gray, BBC Wildlife"The seminal work on the threats of climate change to the planet and society. . . . Orr’s book is full of philosophical wisdom, founded on environmental evidence, which will help us to generate a more sustainable planet."—Jim Lynch, BiologistWinner of the Green Prize, given to authors, illustrators, and publishers who produce quality books for adults and young people that make significant contributions to, support the ideas of, and broaden public awareness of sustainability.“A valuable addition to environmental and philosophical wisdom.”—Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University"No one knows more about the hole we're in, and no one has worked any harder to get us out of it—David Orr is a necessary guide to the great climate crisis we find ourselves in, and this is a vital book."—Bill McKibben, author Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet"David Orr has written a perfectly marvelous book, a deep and wide-ranging reflection on the human condition. It's a winner, and a rare one at that."—James Gustave Speth, author of Red Sky at Morning, The Bridge at the End of the World, and America the Possible"David Orr has for many years provided a broad view of our ecological challenges. Now he provides a long view, sounding the alarm about the future we are heedlessly creating today. Like the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, we have put in motion a process of fossil-fueled growth that has gone out of control. In the absence of a wizard to right the situation magically, Orr calls for human intervention before it is too late—not just in our power plants and motor vehicles, but in the way we live our lives and organize society. To do so, he once wrote, 'hope is an imperative.'"—Timothy E. Wirth, former U.S. Senator (Colorado) and President Emeritus, The United Nations Foundation"An extremely valuable look at humanity's horizon, the challenging millennium ahead and how we might—indeed must—transition to sustainability. The distillation of a lifetime of constructive consideration of the environmental challenges we have brought upon ourselves, Dangerous Years will help us chart the way through the inchoate wilderness of our own making. Destined to become one of the great environmental classics."—Thomas E. Lovejoy, George Washington University

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Book SynopsisThe little-known story of how the U.S. government came to hold nearly one-third of the nation’s land and manage it primarily for recreation, education, and conservationTrade Review“I found Our Common Ground to be quite a lively read. . . . The book is replete with interesting stories, told through the passage of time and the evolving notions of what America’s public lands are for.”—Andy Kerr“Finally, we have a truly great book about the federal public lands. John Leshy has used his unequalled knowledge and engaging style to write a comprehensive, inspiring, and lastingly informative masterpiece.”—Charles Wilkinson, author of Crossing the Next Meridian: Land, Water, and the Future of the West“Our Common Ground is a much-needed chronicle of how the American people decided—wisely and democratically—that nearly a third of the nation’s land surface should remain in our collective ownership and be managed for our common good.”—Dayton Duncan, author of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea“This history of public lands in America, reflecting prodigious research, illustrates the continuity, tensions, and narratives that persist through time to the present. What a rich history, richly presented. I could not put down this book!”—Lynn Scarlett, former deputy secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior“Read John Leshy’s masterpiece! John shows us that by questioning and reframing our European-centric public lands history we can begin to right the wrongs of the past. And if we get it right, find common purpose and keep our covenant with future Americans.”—Mark Udall, former U.S. senator, Colorado

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“[an] ambitious catalogue.”—Edward Rothstein, Wall Street JournalWinner of the 2019 PROSE award, Art Exhibitions categoryCo-winner of the 2019 Award for Excellence for an exhibition catalogue sponsored by The Association of Art Museum CuratorsWinner of the 2020 Alfred H. Barr Jr. Award, sponsored by the College Art Association “This remarkable exhibition reveals how the visual arts have been utterly essential to our understanding and appreciation of the natural world.”—Bill McKibben

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Book SynopsisAn ornithologist's personal look at farming practices that finds practical solutions for sustainable food production compatible with bird and wildlife conservationTrade ReviewChoice Outstanding Academic Titles, 2020“An eloquent, science-based perspective on how meadowlarks and cows, owls and vineyards, and other wildlife and agricultural practices can co-exist and provide abundant and healthy food. A must-read for everyone.”—Bernd Heinrich, author of The Snoring Bird“John Marzluff has followed meadowlarks to find inspiring stories of renewal and hope, and through them we can find our way forward.”—Curt Meine, author of Aldo Leopold: His Life and Work“John Marzluff’s book is well-written, thoughtful, and timely, especially when biodiversity is in drastic decline.”—Alexis Racelis, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley “John Marzluff’s In Search of Meadowlarks is an epic look at the deep connections between us, the birds we love best, and our food supply. It’s a rich tapestry of meadowlarks and farmers, crows and cows, science and story. If you love songbirds, enjoy a great read, or eat food, you really need to read this book.”—Sy Montgomery, author of Birdology, The Soul of an Octopus, and How to Be a Good Creature “John Marzluff takes us beyond abstract discussions of agriculture and shows how different approaches to farming directly affect families and local communities, as well as economic productivity and biological diversity.”—Robert A. Askins, author of Saving the World’s Deciduous Forests and Restoring North America’s Birds “In Search of Meadowlarks provides great insights into complex issues concerning sustainability and the environment.”—Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human “Ecological detective John Marzluff sifts through clues on farms from Nebraska to Costa Rica to find out why meadowlarks and numerous other bird species are vanishing. The resulting sad but optimistic tale will keep you riveted, and likely lead you to put down that hamburger.”—Virginia Morell, author of the best-selling Animal Wise: How We Know Animals Think and Feel “The way farming affects wildlife is one of the most urgent problems facing humanity. John Marzluff has produced a wise, readable and—above all—optimistic look at the issues.”—Tim Birkhead, University of Sheffield, author of The Wonderful Mr Willughby: The First True Ornithologist

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Book SynopsisA captivating analysis of the past, present, and future of northeastern forests and the forces that have shaped themTrade Review“Charlie Canham takes us on an inspiring walk through the past, present, and future of northeastern forests, with the wisdom of a lifelong forest scientist and the wonder of a naturalist. Incredibly readable and insightful."—Indy Burke, Carl W. Knobloch. Jr., Dean, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies“Forests may drift, but Charles Canham, in drawing from decades of field studies and an unrivaled melding of natural history and modeling, steers an enlightening course from prehistory towards an uncertain future.”—David Foster, coeditor, Forests in Time: The Environmental Consequences of 1,000 Years of Change in New England, and author, A Meeting of Land and Sea: Nature and the Future of Martha’s Vineyard“Charles Canham’s writing is refreshing. I will have Forests Adrift on my shelves and will definitely refer to it again and again.”—John Pastor, author of What Should a Clever Moose Eat?“Forests Adrift is deeply rooted in science and exquisitely written—a joy of a book! And it is a wonderful example of the complexities of nature and the role of people: I will never look at a forest the same again.”—Thomas E. Lovejoy, University Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University“Charles Canham’s highly original, cutting-edge research is contextualized in the broader framework of our forests and their futures. I would highly recommend it to scientists and nonscientists.”—Robert Fahey, University of Connecticut

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Book SynopsisAn optimistic exploration of how, through radical economic reform, the United Kingdom can prosper and flourish in the new global economyTrade Review“A rollicking (and highly readable) account of Britain’s remaining and undersung strengths in high technology, financial services, universities, pharmaceuticals and the creative industries”—Will Hutton, The Guardian ‘Book of the Day’ “A clearly argued case...There are many good ideas here and food for thought for politicians.”—Jonathan Portes, Financial World “In a wide-ranging and upbeat analysis, Alex Brummer paints an ambitious outlook for the UK.”—Christine Shields, 'Reading Room' for The Society of Professional Economists "Brummer provides an inspiring list of reasons to be optimistic about British business."—John Kay, co-author of Radical Uncertainty "Thank goodness for Alex Brummer, someone who closely follows what is happening in the bowels of British business and brings back a mainly uplifting account of the dynamic and innovative core that will see the country prospering in the post-Brexit era."—David Goodhart, author of Head, Hand, Heart "Alex Brummer’s powerful vision of a positive post-Brexit UK future is heartening – but as he himself acknowledges, it depends on singlemindedly protecting, building on and enhancing current strengths. I hope for all our sakes that this can indeed be done."—Vicky Pryce, former Joint Head, UK Government Economic Service

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Book SynopsisA writer's travels along the legendary yet contested Jordan Riverexploring the long conflict over water supplyTrade Review“James Fergusson gives the reader a vivid understanding of the intricacies of occupation in Israel-Palestine by showing how the issue of water has been weaponised. The book describes the strange geography of the River Jordan and the vanishing Dead Sea, and gives lively descriptions of people and places along the way.”—Raja Shehadeh, author of We Could Have Been Friends, My Father and I: A Palestinian Memoir“In this beautifully descriptive, scrupulously objective, and profoundly important book, James Fergusson exposes the shamefully unequal allocation of vital water resources between Israelis and Palestinians – while daring to dream that righting this wrong could be a first step towards a just peace.”—Donald Macintyre, author of Gaza: Preparing for Dawn“Presents a vivid and enlightening new angle on the Middle East’s most intractable conflict. Fergusson’s book is both a highly readable and engaging travelogue and a nuanced political analysis of the balance of power in contemporary Israel-Palestine.”—William Sutcliffe, author of The Wall “A beautifully conceived and written book. That contemporary Israel-Palestine is a land of both environmental destruction and hydro-apartheid is not news. But in Fergusson’s hands, these brute realities are revealed in the most sensitive, compelling and accessible of styles.”—Jan Selby, author of Water, Power and Politics in the Middle East“James Fergusson’s meticulous search for each rivulet, stream, mountain aquifer, sewage pipe and desalination plant concludes with a crystal-clear vision of an ecological reconciliation. Anyone interested in peace should read this book.”—Nick Thorpe, author of The Road Before Me Weeps

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