Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Testot's Cataclysms: An Environmental History of Humanity is a global and historical tour de force of humans facing nature; from the earliest of times to our present days. Testot's book demonstrates that we still are monkeys; basically seeking the tribal pleasures of a warm pool. Yes, the human monkey has conquered the world, dominated nature, and transformed the Earth. But that's it. Nothing more. Thus, in 2020, this monkey world is as vulnerable as ever in its struggle to cope with a single, tiny virus--COVID-19. Now is the time to stop, think, and read this book."--Dag Herbjornsrud, global historian of ideas and founder of SGOKI.org 'Whether it be the internet or the coronavirus, we all know the world is connected. But how did we get here? In this brilliant, highly readable book, Testot answers that question. He follows mankind's trek out of Africa and the footprint this 'naked ape' left behind as humans conquered the world's continents. It is a study of environmental tragedy, but Testot also tells a story of hope. He provides a history of our shared past from the earliest times to the present and, in so doing, suggests how this can help us to make the future better." --Christopher Goscha, Universite du Quebec a Montreal
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Part I: Monkey Conquers the World 1 We Are the Children of the Climate
2 The End of the Elephants
3 The Wheat Deal
4 Collapse
Part II: Monkey Dominates Nature 5 When Gods Guide the Way
6 All Empires Will Fall
7 After Summer Comes Winter
8 Biological Hazards
9 Demographic Hazards
Part III: Monkey Transforms the Earth 10 The Promises of Quicksilver
11 Cold, Cold Earth
12 Dying for the Forest
13 Unlimited Energy
14 The Cold Chill of Catastrophe
15 A Time of Excess
16 The Blind Flock
17 Tomorrow’s World
Conclusion
Epilogue to the English Edition: Two and a Half Years after the French Edition . . .
Appendix A: Glossary
Appendix B: Chronology
Notes
Bibliography
Index
