A Forest Journey – The Role of Wood in the Development of Civilization (Paper) - Softcover

Perlin, J

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674308921 ISBN 13: 9780674308923

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1991

Synopsis

Chronicles the destruction of the world's forests as a result of overdependency on wood as a building and energy source, and points out the resultant declining soil productivity, flooding, and depletion of firewood supplies.

About this title

Review

"A Forest Journey" is a timely and absorbing piece of history. Perlin marshals his authorities with skill...His story never flags. Outstanding...profusely documented and illustrated...with a story-teller's pace and ability to surprise...This book takes one of those bold imaginative sweeps through history that leave you full of excitement, as suddenly events seem to fall into a pattern for the first time. An intriguing and informative account...This work not only captures the significant impact of wood on past and present civilizations but also provides special insight into world history and demography. The book is well written and well illustrated and has an extensive note section...It should have appeal to a broad readership. A delightful book... It is history in the etymological sense of the word--a story, told with grace, fluency, imagination, and humor...Perlin's central thesis is that wood has been both humanity's main material and main fuel, that its abundance made possible the rapid growth of successive civilizations, and that its exhaustion has been a major cause of their collapse...Out of this rich experience emerges a many-sided understanding of the causes of deforestation... This book deserves to become a classic. -- Philip Stewart "Forest and Conservation History" A delightful book...[It] is history in the etymological sense of the word--a story, told with grace, fluency, imagination, and humor...Perlin's central thesis is that wood has been both humanity's main material and main fuel, that its abundance made possible the rapid growth of successive civilizations, and that its exhaustion has been a major cause of their collapse...Out of this rich experience emerges a many-sided understanding of the causes of deforestation...[This book] deserves to become a classic.--Philip Stewart "Forest and Conservation History "

About the Author

John Perlin has also authored A Golden Thread: Twenty-Five Hundred Years of Solar Architecture and Technology (with Ken Butti) and From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity. He researched and wrote the narrative for the film Power from the Sun with Nobel Laureates Drs. Walter Kohn and Alan Heeger. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0674308921
• ISBN 13: 9780674308923
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 446