Are humans part of the natural world, or is the natural world humankind's to subject and exploit? These seemingly unreconcilable beliefs drive the debate over man's proper role in nature and use, or abuse, of nature and its bounty.
Controversy surrounding environmental issues is not a recent development in American history. Since the time of the early settlers, issues concerning the environment have plagued certain groups of Americans. In this exhaustively researched study, primary documents support different sides of various questions, such as the use of water as an energy source, deforestation, gold mining in California, and the emergence of wildlife conservation. High school and college students will not only find this book extremely comprehensive, but will also find its heated discussions exceptionally engaging.
Some of the major topics covered include differences between the way Native Americans and early settlers treated the land, The Land Ordinance of 1785, Thomas Jefferson's views about the land, the commercial progress of New England river valleys, establishing the Adirondack Forest Preserve in 1885, Theodore Roosevelt's thoughts on forest conservation, the pros and cons of hydraulic gold mining, the near-extinction of the North American bison, andThe Lacey Act
Magoc's book will prove an essential asset for all American history students.
Reviews
"Arguably one of the most significant dimensions of the modern age is its environmental history; here is a valuable overview with chronology, discussion, and relevant primary documents."—Library Journal
"This is a useful book for anyone interested in environmental history. This collection of primary documents is not repeated elsewhere, nor placed in such an interesting context."—American Reference Books Annual
"Rather than being a traditional reference book, as the title suggests, it is a series of explorative essays on major environmental issues in American history, combined with supporting primary documents that further illustrate the dilemma. Magoc has arranged the essays chronologically, starting with the early American view of nature as a commodity to be consumed, and moving through major environmental issues such as the damage done by early industrialization, wildlife destruction, the Hetch Hetchy Dam, causes of the Dust Bowl, use of lead in gasoline, air pollution, pesticides, toxic waste, and the use of nuclear energy. The explanations are well done; the addition of primary documents provides depth and makes for an especially interesting reading experience....Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers."—Choice
"Magoc introduces American environmental history using an issues-centered approach geared to be accessible to an undergraduate audience. Each one of the 16 chapters combines textual analysis of the topic alongside primary source documents. Topics include water resource control in the early industrialization of New England, the progressive movement and the fight for improved meat inspection, public health and the debate over tetraethyl leaded gasoline, causes and consequences of the Dust Bowl, Love Canal and the grassroots movement against toxic waste, the passage of the Endangered Species Act, and Three Mile Island and the search for a national energy policy."—SciTech Book News
