An Environmental History of the World: Humankind's Changing Role in the Community of Life (Routledge Studies in Physical Geography and Environment)
Language: English
Published by Routledge, 2009
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: Textbook Bookie, Little Rock, AR, U.S.A.Textbook Bookie
AbeBooks seller since October 5, 2026
Condition: Used - Fair
£ 7.69
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Book in Fair condition.
Seller Inventory # 9780415481502-acceptable
- Title
- An Environmental History of the World: Humankind's Changing Role in the Community of Life (Routledge Studies in Physical Geography and Environment)
- Author
- Hughes, J. Donald
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Publication year
- 2009
- Condition
- Fair
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0415481503
- ISBN 13
- 9780415481502
This second edition of An Environmental History of the World continues to present a concise history, from ancient to modern times, of the interactions between human societies and the natural environment, including the other forms of life that inhabit our planet. Throughout their evolutionary history, humans have affected the natural environment, sometimes with a promise of sustainable balance, but also in a destructive manner. This book investigates the ways in which environmental changes, often the result of human actions, have caused historical trends in human societies. This process has happened in every historical period and in every part of the inhabited earth.
The book is organized into ten chapters. The main chapters follow a chronological path through the history of mankind, in relationship to ecosystems around the world. The first explains what environmental history is, and argues for its importance in understanding the present state of the world's ecological problems. Chapters two through eight form the core of the historical analysis, each concentrating on a major period of human history (pre-civilized, early civilizations, classical, medieval, early modern, early and later twentieth century, and contemporary) that has been characterized by large-scale changes in the relationship between human societies and the biosphere, and each gives several case studies that illustrate significant patterns occurring at that time. The chapters covering contemporary times discuss the physical impacts of the huge growth in population and technology, and the human responses to these problems. Our moral obligations to nature and how we can achieve a sustainable balance between technology and the environment are also considered. This revised second edition takes account of new research and the course of history containing new sections on global warming, the response of New Orleans to the hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the experience of the Dutch people in protecting their low-lying lands against the encroachments of rivers, lakes, and the North Sea. New material is also offered on the Pacific Islands, including the famous case of Easter Island.
This is an original work that reaches further than other environmental histories. Rather than looking at humans and the environment as separate entities, this book places humans within the community of life. The relationship between environmental thought and actions, and their evolution, is discussed throughout. Little environmental or historical knowledge is assumed from the reader in this introduction to environmental history. We cannot reach a useful understanding of modern environmental problems without the aid of perspective provided by environmental history, with its illustrations of the ways in which past decisions helped or hindered the interaction between nature and culture. This book will be influential and timely to all interested in or researching the world in which we live.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
J. Donald Hughes is John Evans Distinguished Professor of History, University of Denver. Author of What is Environmental History? (Polity, 2006), The Mediterranean: An Environmental History (ABC-CLIO, 2005), and Pan's Travail: Environmental Problems of the Ancient Greeks and Romans (Johns Hopkins, 1994), he is a founding member of the American and European Societies for Environmental History and past editor of Environmental History
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Textbook Bookie
Little Rock, AR, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 5, 2026
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 3.18 | £ 5.23 |
Payment methods
Store description
Your trusted source for textbooks for nearly 28 years. Since 1998, Textbook Bookie and its affiliates have provided quality new and used textbooks at affordable prices. We take pride in accurate listings, fast shipping, and friendly, dependable customer service. Orders received before 12 PM CT ship the same business day. Orders received after 12 PM may ship the same day but are not guaranteed to ship until the next business day. If you have any questions or concerns with your order, please contact us through AbeBooks. We’re always happy to help! Thank you for choosing Textbook Bookie and its affiliates!…
Specialty
TextbooksSeller's business information
Textbook Bookie
AR, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
We have a 14 day return policy. The return must be postmarked within 14 days of the delivery date. If you are unable to have the item postmarked within 14 days of the delivery date, please contact us for further information. Once the item has been returned, we will initiate an item-only refund (shipping costs are non- refundable). The item must be returned in the same condition as it was advertised. Please contact us prior to returning the item if the condition of the item received is not the same as the condition advertised. Items returned to other locations other then the one specified below will be subject to additional restocking fees. Items not postmarked within 14 days of delivery and received back in store during this time will also be subject to additional restocking fees. Please use Media Mail Shipping and obtain return tracking on all items being shipped back for return. Please do not mark the item "Return or Sender" or "Refuse." Please return the item to the address on the returns information for AbeBooks. If you have any questions regarding this return policy, please contact us prior to returning the item. Thank you for your understanding. Textbook Bookie 12123 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72211 501-217-4960 textbookbookie@texastext.net Customer Service Manager: Krystin
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Textbook Bookie, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.