Environmental history is a bit of a mix of disciplines, but with the great interest in the environment it does offer a new way of looking at a familiar problem. It is also quite an eye opening way. For example, this podcast points out a very surprising fact. Cultivation of crops seems to have been invented independently about 14 times within the space of about a thousand years. That doesn't sound like a coincidence. You don't usually have to worry about spoilers when reviewing history podcast, but I'll let you find out the explanation Prof Penna comes up with when you listen yourself.
This is an intriguing podcast that made me think differently about some things I thought I knew all about already. I am mightily tempted to seek the book out as well.
http://newbooksinhistory.com/2011/07/18/anthony-penna-the-human-footprint-a-global-environmental-history-wiley-blackwell-2010/
No comments:
Post a Comment