Ivory's Ghosts: The White Gold of History and the Fate of Elephants

Language: English

Published by Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press, 2010

0802144527 / 9780802144522

  • Softcover
  • Used
See all details

Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.World of Books (was SecondSale)

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since December 20, 2007

Softcover

Condition: Used - Good

£ 5.20

 Free Shipping 
Ships within U.S.A.

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket
Free 30-day returns

Item description from seller

Long before gold and gemstones held allure, humans were drawn to the jewels of the elephant - its great tusks. Ivory is a supreme organic treasure, prized throughout the world for its pale, lustrous beauty and ability to be finely carved. In Ivory's Ghosts, John Frederick Walker layers rich history and firsthand reportage to tell the fascinating and sometimes savage story of ivory's enormous impact on both human history and that of its most important source: the majestic African elephant. Coveted since prehistory, ivory was the master carver's medium in cultures from ancient Egypt to the industrializing United States. It was used for sacred amulets, classical nudes, intricate Baroque sculptures, Japanese netsuke, piano keys, and billiard balls. By the nineteenth century ivory had become the plastic of its age, and a global addiction drove the exploration and exploitation of Africa at immense human and animal cost. Insatiable demand led to the wholesale slaughter of elephants. By the 1980s, organized poaching reached record levels in East Africa, provoking an international outcry that led to an ivory trade ban still in effect today. Yet the ban has failed to stop poaching - or end the bitter, emotional debate over what to do with the legitimate and growing stockpiles of ivory from elephants that die of natural causes. In Ivory's Ghosts, John Frederick Walker builds a wrenching - and utterly compelling - argument that it is time to ask whether a controlled return to the ivory trade could help, rather than hurt, elephants. A richly detailed account of the troubled relationship between material desire and environmental welfare, Ivory's Ghosts is a deeply felt examination of both ivory's past and its uncertain future - and the future of elephants themselves.…

Seller Inventory # 00099657257

Title
Ivory's Ghosts: The White Gold of History and the Fate of Elephants
Author
John Frederick Walker
Publisher
Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press
Publication year
2010
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
Language
English
ISBN 10
0802144527
ISBN 13
9780802144522

World of Books (was SecondSale)

Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since December 20, 2007

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Item4 to 12 business days3 to 6 business days
First item£ 0.00£ 8.27
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay

Store description

Founded in 2002, World of Books is a leading online destination for buying and selling both preloved and new books, committed to making sustainable reading accessible to all. With a mission to help people read more and waste less, World of Books offers a huge range of affordable, high-quality books — giving both new and preloved titles a second life. The company also operates World of Books – Sell Your Books, an easy-to-use platform that allows customers to trade in unwanted books for cash, helping to keep books in circulation while promoting sustainability. As a Certified B Corp, World of Books is driven by a vision to become the world’s largest and most sustainable dedicated online bookstore. The company measures its success through the positive environmental impact it creates, the value it provides to customers, and its ability to operate profitably while supporting its sustainable mission …

Seller's business information

SBYB, Inc.

900 Knell Rd
Montgomery, IL U.S.A. 60538