Scan barcode
sarabz's review
5.0
This is a great ecological history of the transitions that occurred in the ecology of New England when colonists settled the land. Cronon does a great job of including human decisions, deliberate and unintended, in the narrative. There was a lot of interesting information here, and it's presented in a readable and thought-provoking way.
The dynamics of human interaction with ecosystems, both by Indians and British, are explored in detail and he carefully refutes the concept that any of the described ecologies are "natural." Before the arrival of settlers, the region was maintained by the communities that lived there to support a lifestyle and social system in which people were flourishing. Cronon explains how the introduction of not just germs and technology, but also land use practices and concepts of ownership and economics transformed the region.
The dynamics of human interaction with ecosystems, both by Indians and British, are explored in detail and he carefully refutes the concept that any of the described ecologies are "natural." Before the arrival of settlers, the region was maintained by the communities that lived there to support a lifestyle and social system in which people were flourishing. Cronon explains how the introduction of not just germs and technology, but also land use practices and concepts of ownership and economics transformed the region.
coriandercake's review against another edition
A foundational text of environmental history but unfortunately, because of that, I was already familiar with most of the information in here. Skim read.
katypies's review against another edition
Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists and the Ecology of New England by William Cronon (1983)
c_daddy_reads's review against another edition
5.0
An accessible, interesting work. One of the early peices of what is now "environmental history" with a dedication to a materialist outlook.
Very interesting and careful to avoid any unnecessary finger-pointing or falling into [incorrect] ideology.
I learned a lot about the New England native American mode of production. The author clearly demonstrates the mutually transformative dialectic between the natives and the environment, the settlers and the environment, and the how both would influence and shape each other as the natives' way of life was permanently altered and the land enclosed.
Cannot recommend enough for anyone interested in history or the environment.
Very interesting and careful to avoid any unnecessary finger-pointing or falling into [incorrect] ideology.
I learned a lot about the New England native American mode of production. The author clearly demonstrates the mutually transformative dialectic between the natives and the environment, the settlers and the environment, and the how both would influence and shape each other as the natives' way of life was permanently altered and the land enclosed.
Cannot recommend enough for anyone interested in history or the environment.
servemethesky's review
2.0
This book was tedious, repetitive, and verbose. The argument was good overall, but ecosystem analysis is just not my thing.